Carbon dioxide emissions from global electricity production remained flat in 2019 after two years of growth, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported.
Despite expectations of further increases, global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions remained at 33 gigatons last year, while the global economy grew by 2.9%.
Last year's stabilization is mainly due to the reduction in emissions from electricity production in advanced economies. This has happened thanks to the growing role of renewable energy sources, the shift from coal to natural gas and the increase in nuclear energy production. In addition, mild weather conditions in a number of countries and a slowdown in economic growth in some emerging markets played a role.
“We now need to work hard to ensure that 2019 is remembered as the final peak in global emissions, and not just another pause in growth,” said IEA chief Fatih Birol.
The United States recorded the most significant reduction in emissions nationwide last year - by 140 million tons, or 2.9%.
In the European Union, emissions decreased by 160 million tonnes, or 5%. EU leaders pledged to achieve climate neutrality at the end of 2019 by eliminating net carbon emissions by the middle of this century.
In Japan, emissions fell by 45 million tons, or about 4%, at the fastest pace since 2009. This was facilitated by the restart of nuclear reactors in the country.
CO2 emissions in the rest of the world in 2019 increased by almost 400 million tonnes. Nearly 80% of this growth came from Asia, where coal-fired power generation continued to grow.