‘Welcome news’ on the global climate change front

Worldwide CO2 emissions decline in the face of economic growth

The global battle against climate change appears to be gaining ground.

First, it was news from the International Energy Agency in March 2015 that global emissions of carbon dioxide from the energy sector had stalled in 2014.

Then, in March 2016, came news that the world's CO2 emissions had stayed flat for the second year in a row, based on preliminary 2015 data.

And most recently, in May, the Organisation of Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) confirmed the historic shift—reporting that CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in OECD countries fell in 2014, in spite of record OECD energy production levels.

In the 40 years since the IEA began tracking information on emissions, this marks the first time that the world has seen a halt or decline in greenhouse gas emissions that was not tied to an economic downturn.

“The new figures confirm last year’s surprising but welcome news—we now have seen two straight years of greenhouse gas emissions decoupling from economic growth,” said IEA executive director Fatih Birol in March. “Coming just a few months after the landmark COP21 agreement in Paris, this is yet another boost to the global fight against climate change.”

The falling OECD emission numbers—a drop of 1.4% in 2014—are believed to be caused by:

• A decline in the energy intensity of OECD countries’ economies, resulting from greater energy efficiency and warmer seasons;
• Reduced emissions in electricity generation, resulting from a 9.7% surge in non-hydropower-related renewables; and
• Lower energy use overall by OECD countries.

With 29 member countries, the IEA focuses on energy security, economic development, and environmental awareness. The OECD represents 34 countries, and promotes policies to improve the economic and social well-being of people around the world.

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