This Global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased by 0.9% (321 million tons) in 2022 represents a lower-than-feasible increase over the previous year due to the scenario of the energy crisis leading to more coal use.
Inside The International Energy Agency (IEA), in a report published today, states that the largest use of clean energy and other factors – such as energy-saving measures and an abnormally mild onset of winter in Europe – moderated increase in emissions due to greater use of coal and oil to troubleshoot natural gas access issues.
This Extreme weather events of 2022—such as droughts and heatwaves— and, according to the IEA’s analysis, the “extraordinary number” of decommissioned nuclear power plants also contributed to the increase in emissions, but “about 550 million tonnes of emissions were averted” thanks to the “increased diffusion of clean energy technologies”. .
Trajectory remains ‘unsustainable’
TotalGlobal emissions from energy reached 36.8 billion tons in 2022, with an increase “significantly less” than world economic growth (3.2%). This represents a return to trend that was interrupted by the recovery in economic activity following the COVID-19 outbreak in 2021, but the growth trajectory remains “unsustainable” for climate change targets.
Those goals require it. “Stronger Actions to Accelerate the Transition to Clean Energy”, “Fossil fuel companies are generating record revenues and must shoulder their share of responsibility,” said Faith Birol, IEA Executive Director, in a statement accompanying the report’s release.
Emissions fell in Europe
by region, European Union emissions decreased by 2.2% increased by 0.8%, largely thanks to the use of clean energy, but due to an increase in the energy consumption of buildings to mitigate extreme temperatures in the United States.
Inside China affected by strict policies against Covid-19 leading to lower economic growth Emissions remained at the same level as the previous year due to the sharp contraction in construction activities. However, with the exception of that country, Exports from emerging Asian economies increased by 4.2%.
Worldwide, Emissions from natural gas decreased by 118 million tons (1.6%) and emissions from coal increased by 243 million tons. (1.6%, which represents a much more pronounced growth than the average of the last decade). Oil’s grew even more than coal’s, 2.5% Compared to 2021 (268 million tons).
HE In 2022, the largest sectoral increase in emissions came from electricity and heating production.emissions increased by 1.8% (261 million tons). Global emissions from coal-fired electricity and heat generation, particularly in developing Asia, increased by 224 million tons (2.1%).