Global emissions flat in 2019: IEA

Global carbon emissions were flat last year at 33 gigatons, the International Energy Agency (IEA) reported on February 11, defying forecasts of a third year of increase in line with a 2.9% growth in the world economy.

Rising renewable energy output and the replacement of coal with gas as fuel in the power mix were key factors in reducing emissions in advanced economies, and this helped counter rises in other countries. Warmer weather and weaker economic growth in some emerging markets also played a role, the agency said.

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“We now need to work hard to make sure that 2019 is remembered as a definitive peak in global emissions, not just another pause in growth,” the IEA’s executive director Fatih Birol said. “We have the energy technologies to do this, and we have to make use of them all. The IEA is building a grand coalition focused on reducing emissions – encompassing governments, companies, investors and everyone with a genuine commitment to tackling our climate challenge.”

Power sector emissions across advanced economies dropped to levels not seen since in the late 1980s, when electricity demand was one third lower than it is today, according to the IEA. Coal-fired generation in these countries was down 15%, replaced by increased gas, renewable and nuclear output.

The US saw the greatest reduction in emissions on a country basis, recording a 140mn mt or 2.9% decline versus the 2018 level. EU emissions also dropped by 5%, or 160mn mt, on the back of expanded use of gas and wind power. Japan meanwhile saw a 4% decrease, or 45mn mt.