Global Carbon Emissions Reached Another Record High In 2023, Study Suggests
Global carbon emissions reached another record high in 2023 — even after both the U.S. and E.U. cut fossil fuel emissions, according to a recently published study.
According to the Global Carbon Budget, emissions have largely plateaued in the last 10 years. The world did not see a significant increase compared to 2022, which also saw emissions increase by 1%. However, experts say this stabilization will not be enough to ensure emissions breach the 1.5ºC threshold — after which the earth will experience irreversible damage from climate change. The Global Carbon Budget now estimates that there is a 50% chance the world will exceed the 1.5C threshold in just seven years.
Professor Corinne Le Quéré of the University of East Anglia’s School of Environmental Sciences said the annual changes are not profound or widespread enough to deter climate change. All countries need to decarbonise their economies faster than they are at present to avoid the worse impacts of climate change, Le Quéré said.
The study was released as the UN’s annual climate conference, COP28, takes place in the United Arab Emirates. COP28 president-delegate Sultan Al Jaber, the CEO of the UAE’s state-run oil and alternative energy companies, has faced steep criticism since the conference began. Last week, leaked memos appeared to show Al Jaber was using the conference to pursue more oil and natural gas deals. On Sunday, comments Al Jaber made at a SHE Changes Climate summit on November 21 attracted further criticism. There is no science out there, or no scenario out there, that says that the phase-out of fossil fuel is what’s going to achieve 1.5C, Al Jaber said, in remarks first reported on by the Guardian. The COP28 president’s beliefs seem to directly conflict with the UN’s stated position on meeting the threshold. The science is clear: the 1.5-degree limit is only possible if we ultimately stop burning all fossil fuels, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in an address at COP28. Not reduce. Not abate. Phase out.
In order to prevent catastrophic effects of climate change, the world needs to take more immediate and drastic action to reduce carbon emissions. Despite efforts by some countries to cut fossil fuel emissions, the Global Carbon Budget’s study suggests that global emissions continue to rise to record levels. This is concerning, as exceeding the 1.5ºC threshold would result in irreversible damage to our planet.
Professor Corinne Le Quéré emphasizes the need for faster decarbonization of economies worldwide, stating that the annual changes observed are insufficient to combat climate change effectively. All countries must accelerate the transition to cleaner energy sources to mitigate the worst impacts of climate change.
The release of this study coincides with the UN’s annual climate conference, COP28, currently taking place in the United Arab Emirates. The conference has faced controversy due to leaked memos suggesting that COP28 president-delegate Sultan Al Jaber is using the event to pursue further deals related to oil and natural gas. Moreover, Al Jaber’s recent comments at a SHE Changes Climate summit have attracted criticism, as they contradict the UN’s position on phasing out fossil fuels to achieve the 1.5ºC limit. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres insists that completely stopping the burning of fossil fuels is necessary to meet this critical threshold.
The findings of this study and the ongoing controversies at the UN climate conference highlight the urgency and complexity of the global effort to combat climate change. It is now crucial for countries worldwide to accelerate their transition to renewable energy sources and adopt more sustainable practices to prevent irreversible damage to our planet. The continued increase in carbon emissions underscores the need for immediate action and collective responsibility in addressing this global challenge.
