Previous reverses in emissions have been linked to economic downturn
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Global carbon dioxide emissions stalled in 2014 in a “surprising and significant” sign that climate change measures are working, said the International Energy Agency (IEA).By Andrew Lee in London
Friday, March 13 2015
Updated: Friday, March 13 2015
CO2 emissions were 32.3bn tonnes in 2014, unchanged on 2013’s figure, said the IEA quoting preliminary data.
The body said the flat-lining of emissions last year is the first such event for 40 years that is not linked to an economic downturn.
Unlike previous reverses in carbon emission, it came against the background of a 3% expansion in the global economy.
The organisation cited changes in the energy mix in China – which is generating more power from renewables – as one of the factors behind the development, which suggests “efforts to mitigate climate change may be having a more pronounced effect on emissions than had previously been thought”.
It added that nations' efforts to use more renewables and boost energy efficiency "are producing the desired effect",
Fatih Birol, the incoming IEA executive director, said: "This is both a very welcome surprise and a significant one.
"It provides much-needed momentum to negotiators preparing to forge a global climate deal in Paris in December. For the first time, greenhouse gas emissions are decoupling from economic growth."
But the IEA warned that the apparent good news on carbon should be no reason for complacency or lack of further action.
The IEA will release more details of the data in June as part of a major report on energy and climate.
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