Concern at first CO2 rise in four years

World carbon emissions in 2017 are projected to rise for the first time in four years, dashing hopes that a peak might soon be reached. The main cause for the rise has been greater use of coal in China


GLOBAL CO2 EMISSIONS (billion tonnes)

2004-13: Growth by 2.3% per year
2014-16: Growth declines or remains flat
2017: On track to rise 2% above 2016 levels to record high of about 37 billion tonnes

Scientists say it is vital to reach global CO2 peak before 2020 to limit dangerous global warming this century

40
35
30
25
2000 2005 2010 2015 2017


Global CO2 emissions in 2017: 36.9 billion tonnes Rise of 2.0%

China 10.5 3.5%
U.S. 5.3 -0.4%
EU28 3.5 -0.2%
India: 2.5 0.2%
Rest of world 15.1 2.3%

China: Emissions up due to strong growth in industrial production, and reduced generation
of hydro-power caused by drought

U.S.: Drop of 0.4%, compared to 1.2% over last decade, as coal production rose due to higher gas prices and export demand

Europe: Fall of 0.2% compared with 2.2% over last 10 years

India: Emissions set to grow by just 2%, compared to 6% per year over last decade


Sources: Global Carbon Project, Nature
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