smokestacks
Credit: Kanenori/Pixabay

Global carbon emissions inch higher

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuel use rose 0.8% this year, driven largely by China and India, while the United States and Europe reported modest reductions, scientists say.

Seth Borenstein reports for The Associated Press.


In short:

  • Global carbon emissions are on track to reach 41.2 billion tons in 2024, increasing slightly from last year.
  • China's emissions rose by 0.2%, and India saw a 4.6% jump, while emissions in the U.S. and EU declined by 0.6% and 3.8%, respectively.
  • Climate scientists warn that current emission trends could exceed the 1.5°C warming threshold within six years if fossil fuel use continues at this pace.

Key quote:

“This is a needed reminder of the urgency with which we need to address the cause of the climate crisis.”

— Mohamed Adow, founder of PowerShift Africa

Why this matters:

Despite modest emission reductions in some countries, global reliance on fossil fuels remains high, with the largest emitters still failing to reverse overall trends. To limit catastrophic warming effects, the world must accelerate emissions reductions and decouple from fossil fuel dependency.

Exxon sign

Exxon CEO urges Trump team to avoid radical climate policy shifts

Exxon CEO Darren Woods advised the incoming Trump administration to maintain stable climate policies and cautioned against carbon border tariffs, which he described as ineffective and burdensome.

Zack Colman reports for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
Senator Whitehouse & climate change

Senator Whitehouse puts climate change on budget committee’s agenda

For more than a decade, Senator Sheldon Whitehouse gave daily warnings about the mounting threat of climate change. Now he has a powerful new perch.
Argentina ditches COP29 climate summit

Argentina’s retreat from climate talks raises questions about stability of Paris Agreement

Argentinian negotiators were abruptly pulled from the COP29 summit in Baku by the administration of climate-skeptic president Javier Milei, leaving many concerned about the Paris Agreement’s stability as the U.S. also contemplates an exit under Donald Trump.

Patrick Greenfield reports for The Guardian.

Keep reading...Show less
Skyscrapers and blue sky as seen from below
Credit: Samson/Unsplash

Global finance obstacles shape COP29 climate goals

As COP29 discussions unfold in Baku, rich countries face pressure to commit $1 trillion a year to help low-income nations combat climate change, a task now more difficult following Donald Trump's election and his stance on climate funding.

Somini Sengupta and Lydia DePillis report for The New York Times.

Keep reading...Show less
Smokestacks emit pollution on the side of a highway

U.S. imposes first-ever methane fee on oil companies as Trump pledges repeal

The Environmental Protection Agency has implemented a historic fee on methane emissions from oil and gas companies, even as President-elect Donald Trump plans to dismantle the rule upon taking office.

Maxine Joselow reports for The Washington Post.

Keep reading...Show less
U.S. Department of Homeland Security insignia on blue background

Trump nominates Kristi Noem for Homeland Security role, raising climate concerns

South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem, nominated by President-elect Donald Trump to lead the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), has consistently rejected federal climate aid programs and cast doubt on the human role in climate change.

Thomas Frank and Avery Ellfeldt report for E&E News.

Keep reading...Show less
Trump's return expected to open doors for fossil fuel growth

Trump's return expected to open doors for fossil fuel growth

Former President Trump's election victory has spurred hope in the oil, gas and mining sectors for a rollback of environmental regulations and increased domestic energy production.

Zack Budryk reports for The Hill.

Keep reading...Show less
Construction worker walks on a roof covered in solar panels

Biden’s climate funding faces uncertain future under new administration

With President-elect Donald Trump vowing to rescind unspent climate funds, the Biden administration is pushing to allocate as much of the $145.4 billion Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) appropriations as possible before Inauguration Day.

Jessie Blaeser and Kelsey Tamborrino report for POLITICO.

Keep reading...Show less
From our Newsroom
unions and labor movement

LISTEN: Pradnya Garud on the role of unions in climate justice

“They’ve been able to combine forces and really come forward to bring social and environmental change.”

People advocating against the US hydrogen hub build out

Hydrogen hubs test new federal environmental justice rules

A massive push for hydrogen energy is one of the first test cases of new federal environmental justice initiatives. Communities and advocates so far give the feds a failing grade.

photos of people protesting the hydrogen hub buildout

What’s hampering federal environmental justice efforts in the hydrogen hub build-out?

“Organizational change in large bureaucracies takes time.”

photos of people protesting the hydrogen hub buildout

Los obstáculos para garantizar la justicia ambiental en los centros de hidrógeno federales

“El cambio organizacional en las grandes burocracias lleva tiempo”.

People advocating against the US hydrogen hub build out

Los centros de hidrógeno ponen a prueba las nuevas normas federales de justicia ambiental

El impulso masivo a la energía del hidrógeno es la primera prueba de fuego de las nuevas iniciativas federales de justicia medioambiental. Hasta ahora, comunidades y activistas le dan una pésima calificación al gobierno federal.

Donald Trump

Donald Trump wins US presidency. What that could mean for the environment.

His first term and recent campaigns signal massive deregulation and a reshaping of agencies.

Stay informed: sign up for The Daily Climate newsletter
Top news on climate impacts, solutions, politics, drivers. Delivered to your inbox week days.