The International Energy Agency (IEA) has released an analysis showing that energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions increased by less than 1% in 2022, a smaller increase than previously feared. This is due to the growth of solar, wind, electric vehicles, heat pumps and energy efficiency, which have helped limit the impact of the increased use of coal and oil in the context of the global energy crisis. Nevertheless, rising emissions call for stronger actions to accelerate the transition to clean energy.
Emissions up, but less than economic growth
Global energy-related CO2 emissions increased by 0.9% in 2022, or 321 million tons, reaching a new high of over 36.8 billion tons. This increase is significantly slower than the global economic growth of 3.2%, signaling a return to a 10-year trend that was interrupted in 2021 by the rapid, emissions-intensive economic rebound of the Covid crisis.
Clean technologies to avoid over 500 million tons of emissions
Although extreme weather events, including droughts and heat waves, as well as an unusually high number of nuclear power plants out of service, contributed to the increase in emissions, an additional 550 million tons of emissions were avoided through increased deployment of clean energy technologies. Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, emphasized the importance of renewable energy, electric vehicles, heat pumps and energy-efficient technologies to limit the growth of emissions.
Coal emissions continue to rise
CO2 emissions from coal increased by 1.6% in 2022, as the global energy crisis continued to spur a wave of transition from gas to coal in Asia and, to a lesser extent, Europe. This increase represents about a quarter of the 2021 increase, but it still far exceeded the average growth rate of the past decade.
CO2 emissions from oil on the rise
CO2 emissions from oil increased by 2.5% in 2022, but remain below pre-pandemic levels. About half of the year-over-year increase in oil CO2 emissions is due to increased demand for transportation fuels.
CO2 emissions by geographical area
China’s emissions were broadly stable in 2022 as stricter Covid-19 measures and reduced construction activity slowed economic growth and reduced industrial and transportation emissions.
The European Union’s emissions decreased by 2.5%, thanks to a record use of renewable energy, resulting in less coal use than some observers had expected. The mild European winter and energy conservation measures in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine also contributed.
In the U.S., emissions increased by 0.8% in the face of extreme temperatures.
Emissions from emerging and developing Asia excluding China increased by 4.2%, reflecting rapid economic growth and energy demand.
