{"id":52758,"date":"2024-11-13T09:23:53","date_gmt":"2024-11-13T09:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/?p=52758"},"modified":"2024-11-13T09:23:53","modified_gmt":"2024-11-13T09:23:53","slug":"fossil-fuel-emissions-hit-record-high-in-2024-raising-climate-target-concerns","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.innovationnewsnetwork.com\/fossil-fuel-emissions-hit-record-high-in-2024-raising-climate-target-concerns\/52758\/","title":{"rendered":"Fossil fuel emissions hit record high in 2024, raising climate target concerns"},"content":{"rendered":"
This year’s Global Carbon Budget<\/a> reveals a significant increase in carbon dioxide (CO\u2082) emissions from fossil fuels, signalling an intensifying climate crisis as the world struggles to control its carbon footprint.<\/p>\n Leader of the research, Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, of Exeter’s\u00a0Global Systems Institute, explained: “The impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly dramatic, yet we still see no sign that burning of fossil fuels has peaked.<\/p>\n “Time is running out to meet the Paris Agreement goals \u2013 and world leaders meeting at COP29 must bring about rapid and deep cuts to fossil fuel emissions to give us a chance of staying well below 2\u00b0C warming above pre-industrial levels.”<\/p>\n The Global Carbon Project’s findings show that fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, marking a 0.8% rise from 2023.<\/p>\n Combined with 4.2 billion tonnes of CO\u2082 emissions from land-use changes such as deforestation, total emissions are expected to climb to a staggering 41.6 billion tonnes, surpassing last year’s 40.6 billion tonnes.<\/p>\n Despite global pledges to curb fossil fuel emissions to counter climate change, scientists indicate that there’s still “no sign” of emissions peaking.<\/p>\n Emissions from fossil fuels have continued to climb over the past decade, highlighting that although CO\u2082 from land-use changes has decreased slightly in recent years, it is projected to rise again this year.<\/p>\n Moreover, the impact of climate events like the recent El Ni\u00f1o has worsened emissions from forest degradation and wildfires, especially in Brazil and Canada.<\/p>\n In 2024, fossil fuel emissions are largely driven by coal, oil, and natural gas, which account for 41%, 32%, and 21% of global CO\u2082 emissions, respectively.<\/p>\n Emissions from oil and gas are anticipated to increase by 0.9% and 2.4%, respectively, while coal emissions may see a slight 0.2% uptick, though there’s a small chance they could decline.<\/p>\n Regionally, China remains the largest emitter, responsible for 32% of global fossil fuel emissions, with its total emissions projected to increase by 0.2%.<\/p>\n Conversely, the United States and European Union are set to see modest decreases of 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively, while India’s emissions are expected to rise by a notable 4.6%.<\/p>\n Emissions from international aviation and shipping, which contribute 3% of global fossil fuel CO\u2082, are projected to jump 7.8% in 2024, although they remain below pre-pandemic levels.<\/p>\n Atmospheric CO\u2082 levels are expected to reach 422.5 parts per million (ppm) in 2024\u20142.8 ppm above 2023 levels and approximately 52% higher than pre-industrial levels.<\/p>\n This continued rise in CO\u2082 concentration intensifies the risk of crossing critical climate thresholds. Researchers estimate that, at the current pace, the world has roughly six years before consistently exceeding the 1.5\u00b0C global warming limit set by the Paris Agreement to prevent severe climate impacts.<\/p>\n While reforestation and afforestation efforts are mitigating some CO\u2082 emissions from deforestation, permanent CO\u2082 removal via natural and technological means is insufficient to offset the rise in emissions.<\/p>\nRecord-breaking emissions amid climate urgency<\/h3>\n
Fossil fuel breakdown: Coal, oil, and gas<\/h3>\n
Growing atmospheric CO\u2082 levels<\/h3>\n
Limited role of carbon removal and natural CO\u2082 sinks<\/h3>\n