According to International Energy Agency (IEA) data, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy combustion and industrial activities reached 36.8 gigatons in 2022.
This represents an increase of approximately 0.5 gigatons compared to 2021, setting a new all-time high, as shown in the graph.
The IEA states that the increase in emissions in 2022 primarily stemmed from the combustion of coal and oil.
"Amidst a global energy crisis that saw a shift from natural gas to coal, CO2 emissions from coal rose by 1.6% (year-on-year/yoy) to nearly 15.5 gigatons. This far surpasses the average growth rate over the last decade and represents an all-time high," the IEA stated in its report, *CO2 Emissions in 2022*.
"Emissions from oil increased by 2.5% (yoy) to 11.2 gigatons. Approximately half of this increase originated from aviation, as air travel continued its recovery from the pandemic's impact," it continued.
Meanwhile, in 2022, CO2 emissions from natural gas combustion and industrial activities decreased.
"Emissions from natural gas fell by 1.6% (yoy), due to tightening gas supplies resulting from the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The reduction in natural gas emissions was particularly pronounced in Europe (-13.5%). The Asia-Pacific region also experienced an unprecedented decline in natural gas emissions (-1.8%)," said the IEA.
"Furthermore, emissions from industry decreased by 1.7% (yoy) due to a decline in manufacturing output in several regions, particularly China, which experienced a 10% decrease in cement production and a 2% decrease in steel production," it continued.
In response to this data, Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the IEA, urged fossil fuel companies to reduce their emissions.
"Fossil fuel companies achieved record revenues in 2022. They need to take responsibility, in line with their public commitments to meet climate change mitigation goals," said Fatih Birol in a press release on Thursday, March 2, 2023.
"They need to review their strategies to ensure their companies align with meaningful emission reduction efforts," he continued.