Global Carbon Emissions Set to Reach Record High in 2024, Warn Scientists

Annual Rise in CO2 Emissions Highlights Urgent Need for Climate Action
Global carbon emissions are on track to hit a new record high in 2024, as humanity continues to burn fossil fuels at an unsustainable rate. According to data from the Global Carbon Project, annual emissions are projected to increase by 0.8% from 2023, reaching a staggering 37.4 billion metric tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2). This marks a 300 million metric tonne rise compared to the previous year.

Rising Emissions from Developing Nations, Particularly China and India
While emissions in the U.S. and European Union have decreased, the increase in global CO2 levels is largely driven by rising emissions in developing nations, with China and India contributing significantly to the surge. China remains the world’s largest carbon emitter, responsible for 32% of global emissions. Despite expectations that China would have peaked its emissions by now, the country’s CO2 output rose by 0.2% in 2024, driven by increased coal pollution.

India’s emissions saw a dramatic rise of 4.6%, making it the third-largest emitter globally, responsible for 8% of total emissions. In contrast, emissions in the U.S. fell by 0.6%, mainly due to reduced coal and cement usage. Similarly, emissions in the European Union dropped by 3.8%, reflecting significant cuts in coal use.

The Urgent Need for a Global Shift in Emission Reduction Efforts
Experts stress the urgency of accelerating efforts to cut emissions in order to meet international climate goals. According to United Nations reports, global emissions must be reduced by 42% by 2030 to have a chance of limiting global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels. As of now, the Earth is already at 1.3°C of warming, with just six years remaining to avoid surpassing the 1.5°C threshold.

“We clearly are not doing enough on a global scale to reduce emissions,” said Mike O’Sullivan, a climate scientist at the University of Exeter and co-author of the study. O’Sullivan emphasized the need for greater ambition and innovation in reducing emissions, advocating for a shift away from fossil fuel dependence.

The Role of Fossil Fuels in Emission Increases
The continued rise in global carbon emissions is closely linked to the persistent use of fossil fuels, with coal, oil, and natural gas accounting for the majority of the increase. As a result, the fossil fuel industry remains a key barrier to meaningful climate progress, according to experts. “The fossil fuel industry is kicking and screaming for us to slow down,” said Mohamed Adow, founder of PowerShift Africa. “That’s why they pour money into campaigns to keep business as usual.”

Despite this, there is some positive news in the report: emissions from land use changes such as deforestation have decreased, helping to offset the overall increase in fossil fuel-related CO2 emissions. However, the total amount of CO2 from fossil fuels remains alarmingly high, with humanity releasing nearly 1.2 million kilograms of CO2 every second.

A Call for Immediate Action to Combat the Climate Crisis
The report serves as a stark reminder of the urgency with which the world must act to address the climate crisis. With emissions now more than double what they were 50 years ago, the need for drastic reductions is more critical than ever. “This is a needed reminder of the urgency with which we need to address the cause of the climate crisis,” said Michael Mann, a climate scientist at the University of Pennsylvania.

The global rise in carbon emissions highlights that despite incremental progress in certain regions, the world is far from meeting its climate goals. Scientists warn that without immediate and substantial changes in energy consumption and industrial practices, the planet will be on track for even higher levels of warming.