Global energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased 6 percent in 2021 to 36.3 billion tons, an increase of 2 billion tons, the highest level ever recorded. That's the conclusion of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which presented this week an overview of carbon emissions associated with the electricity sector. The high was pulled mainly by the burning of coal, benefited from the resumption of post-pandemic economic activity in some of the world's major energy markets, especially China and India.

Coal accounted for more than 40% of overall co2 energy emissions growth in 2021, reaching an all-time high of 15.3 billion tonnes. Co2 emissions associated with natural gas, on the other hand, recovered to levels above 2019, to 7.5 billion tons. Finally, CO2 emissions tied to oil burning stood at 10.7 billion tons, significantly below the pre-pandemic scenario; according to the IEA, this is mainly due to the slow resumption of civil aviation activities.

The figures show that many countries' promises for a post-pandemic "green" resumption have not come out of the paper. Worse, these governments are encouraging continued fossil fuel consumption throughout this decade, contrary to their climate commitments under the Paris Agreement. CNBC and Reuters highlighted The IEA's figures on CO2 emissions in 2022. Here in Brazil, the portal Um Só Planeta resonated with the news. 

Source: Clima Info