Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 0.9% in 2022, an increase of about 321 million tons. This rise was smaller than expected given the ongoing energy crisis, which otherwise pushed toward greater coal use as a temporary fix for gas supply constraints.
In a report published today, the International Energy Agency explains that a combination of factors helped restrain the rise in emissions. Strong deployment of clean energy technologies, energy efficiency measures, and an unusually mild winter in Europe contributed to moderating emissions, even as coal and oil usage grew to bridge gaps in natural gas supply.
Extreme weather events in 2022, including droughts and heatwaves, plus a notably high number of nuclear plant decommissions, are cited as additional contributors to the uptick in emissions. Yet the IEA notes that roughly 550 million tonnes of emissions were avoided thanks to the wider adoption of clean energy technologies and improved energy efficiency. The agency emphasizes that continued and expanded clean energy diffusion is essential to meet climate targets.
Trajectory remains ‘unsustainable’
Global energy-related emissions reached about 36.8 billion tonnes in 2022, growing at a pace significantly lower than world economic activity, which expanded by roughly 3.2%. This rebound followed the recovery in economic activity after the COVID-19 disruption in 2021, but the overall growth path remains unsustainable for achieving climate goals.
In the context of policy and market actions, the IEA highlights the need for stronger measures to accelerate the transition to clean energy and for fossil fuel companies to play their fair share in responsibility, a stance echoed by executive statements accompanying the report release.
Emissions fell in Europe
Regionally, emissions in the European Union declined by about 2.2%, while the United States saw an increase of around 0.8%, supported by the ramp-up of clean energy and demand-side efficiency measures to cope with higher cooling and heating loads during extreme temperatures.
In China, policies aimed at curbing COVID-19 transmission contributed to slower growth, keeping overall emissions near the prior year’s level due to reduced construction activity. With China’s trend aside, export activity from other emerging Asian economies rose by about 4.2%, reflecting shifting regional dynamics.
Global emissions from oil continued to rise markedly, outpacing coal, with an increase of about 2.5% compared with 2021. Emissions from natural gas declined by roughly 118 million tonnes, a 1.6% drop, while coal emissions grew by about 243 million tonnes (1.6%), marking a notable acceleration relative to the decade’s average. The electricity and heating sector showed the largest regional and global increase, with emissions from coal-fired power generation rising by about 224 million tonnes, or 2.1%, driven largely by demand in developing Asia.
In 2022, electricity and heating production remained the dominant contributor to the uptick in sectoral emissions, rising by about 1.8% or 261 million tonnes. This underscores the importance of decarbonizing power generation to achieve climate targets, particularly as coal-fired generation remains a major source in many developing economies.