Climate crisis: UK ‘halfway to net zero’ due to dip in emissions caused by coronavirus pandemic, analysis reveals
4 years ago

Climate crisis: UK ‘halfway to net zero’ due to dip in emissions caused by coronavirus pandemic, analysis reveals

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A dip in emissions due to the impacts of the coronavirus pandemic means the UK is temporarily halfway towards reducing its output of greenhouse gases from 1990 levels by 2050, new analysis has found. Greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 were 51 per cent below 1990 levels, following a record 11 per cent fall in emissions since 2019, according to research by climate science website Carbon Brief. Under the UK’s legally binding target to reach net-zero by 2050, the country must cut its emissions by at least 100 per cent of the pollution it put into the atmosphere in 1990. In 1990 coal was still used to provide two-thirds of electricity, and oil power still made up 10 per cent of generation making the power sector the largest contributor to the nation’s emissions.

Gas Power Emissions Carbon Carbon Dioxide 1990 Carbon Brief Uk Halfway  dip  cent  emissions  power  uk  halfway  coal  reveals  greenhouse  carbon  coronavirus  1990  pandemic  dioxide  net  crisis  zero  gas

History of this topic

UK’s electricity was cleanest ever in 2024, analysis finds
2 months, 2 weeks ago

UK’s electricity was cleanest ever in 2024, analysis finds

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy The UK’s electricity was the …

Global CO2 emissions to hit record high in 2024, report says
Trending News
4 months, 1 week ago

Global CO2 emissions to hit record high in 2024, report says

Hindustan Times  

* Global CO2 emissions to hit record high in 2024, report says Emissions from fossil fuels to rise nearly 1% to 37.4 bln T * Severe wildfires fuel 13.5% surge in land-use emissions * Emissions decrease in rich nations, rise in emerging economies * Without urgent action, global climate goals out of reach By Kate Abnett BAKU, - Global carbon …

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record high - with 37.4 BILLION tonnes of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere this year, study reveals
4 months, 1 week ago

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record high - with 37.4 BILLION tonnes of CO2 pumped into the atmosphere this year, study reveals

Daily Mail  

Britain is making great strides eliminating the use of fossil fuels, including closing down our last ever coal-burning power plant. CO2 emissions from fossil fuels will reach 37.4 billion tonnes by the end of the year, the experts predict - up 0.8 per cent from 2023. The UK will have emitted around 0.3 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2024 by …

'Words fail': WMO report finds CO2 accumulating at record levels
4 months, 3 weeks ago

'Words fail': WMO report finds CO2 accumulating at record levels

Raw Story  

Climate-heating carbon dioxide is accumulating in the atmosphere more rapidly than at any time since humans evolved. "Greenhouse gas pollution at these levels will guarantee a human and economic trainwreck for every country, without exception." "Today's NDC Synthesis Report must be a turning point, ending the era of inadequacy and sparking a new age of acceleration, with much bolder new …

Countries’ carbon removal plans not enough for 1.5C warming limit, study warns
10 months, 2 weeks ago

Countries’ carbon removal plans not enough for 1.5C warming limit, study warns

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Scientists have taken the UN’s approach of assessing the “emissions gap” between national climate protection plans and what is …

UK emissions fall to new low as high energy prices see households cut back
11 months, 3 weeks ago

UK emissions fall to new low as high energy prices see households cut back

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s greenhouse gas emissions fell …

Renewable energy overtakes gas in the UK, analysis shows
11 months, 3 weeks ago

Renewable energy overtakes gas in the UK, analysis shows

The Independent  

Sign up to our free weekly IndyTech newsletter delivered straight to your inbox Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter Sign up to our free IndyTech newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Renewable energy sources generated more electricity than gas in the UK this winter, …

Greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest level since Victorian times last year, analysis finds
1 year ago

Greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest level since Victorian times last year, analysis finds

Daily Mail  

The UK's greenhouse gas emissions fell last year to the lowest level since 1879 - when Queen Victoria was on the throne and Benjamin Disraeli was prime minister. Greenhouse gas emissions fell by 5.7 per cent in 2023, according to analysis of official figures by the website Carbon Brief. The UK's greenhouse gas emissions fell to their lowest levels since …

Britain to miss net zero target despite billions of investment, warn analysts
1 year, 1 month ago

Britain to miss net zero target despite billions of investment, warn analysts

The Telegraph  

Britain will still depend on oil and gas for a third of its energy in its net zero target year of 2050 despite billions of pounds of investment, according to a report from leading energy analysts. The UK is massively behind schedule with its plans for offshore wind farms, nuclear power stations, solar farms and other low carbon energy sources …

UK hailed as ‘world leader in tackling climate change’ as first G20 nation to halve carbon emissions
1 year, 2 months ago

UK hailed as ‘world leader in tackling climate change’ as first G20 nation to halve carbon emissions

The Telegraph  

Ms Coutinho shared an analysis of the data in a blog post from The Spectator magazine which first highlighted the figures. “That’s why it’s so important we make sure we’re not burdening hard-working families, but bringing them with us as we continue on our transition to net zero.” According to the data, the UK first reached the milestone of halving …

The greenhouse gas breakthrough that should give us hope
1 year, 3 months ago

The greenhouse gas breakthrough that should give us hope

The Independent  

Cop28 has been mired in controversy over comments by its host, Sultan al-Jaber, about whether it’s necessary to phase out fossil fuels to limit global warming. “The signs coming from the Cop28 are all positive to that end, with a lot of progress being made on reducing methane emissions, as well as the pledge to triple renewables by 2030, which …

How the UK’s net zero pledges compare to other decarbonising countries
1 year, 6 months ago

How the UK’s net zero pledges compare to other decarbonising countries

The Independent  

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. More than 70 countries including the UK, US, EU and China have targets to …

UK renewables generated record amount of electricity in 2022, figures show
1 year, 7 months ago

UK renewables generated record amount of electricity in 2022, figures show

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy UK renewables generated a record …

Britain's greenhouse gas emissions FELL by 3.4% in 2022 thanks to a 15% reduction in coal use
2 years ago

Britain's greenhouse gas emissions FELL by 3.4% in 2022 thanks to a 15% reduction in coal use

Daily Mail  

Last year, Britain produced 3.4 per cent less greenhouse gas emissions - the equivalent of 14 million tonnes of carbon dioxide - than in 2021. Pictured: Annual change in UK greenhouse gas emissions from 1990 to 2022 A new analysis has pinned this to a 15 per cent reduction in coal use, which offset any residual post-pandemic booms in road …

Carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2022
2 years ago

Carbon dioxide emissions reached a record high in 2022

Firstpost  

Communities around the world emitted more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in any other year on records dating to 1900, a result of air travel rebounding from the pandemic and more cities turning to coal as a low-cost source of power New York: Communities around the world emitted more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in any other year on records …

Carbon emissions from fossil fuels ‘climb to new highs’ and still rising
2 years, 4 months ago

Carbon emissions from fossil fuels ‘climb to new highs’ and still rising

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, from the University of Exeter’s Global Systems Institute, who led the study said: “This year we …

Climate Change: Planet-heating CO2 emissions rise in 2022
2 years, 4 months ago

Climate Change: Planet-heating CO2 emissions rise in 2022

Live Mint  

A new climate science report, released today, states that in 2022, planet-heating CO2 emissions are set to rise by 1% over last year’s emissions. The annual study, prepared by Global Carbon Project, an international research project, shows that instead of decreasing, CO2 emissions are continuing to rise. The UN Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change has repeatedly stated that in order …

CO2 pollution from fossil fuels to hit all-time high this year
2 years, 4 months ago

CO2 pollution from fossil fuels to hit all-time high this year

Al Jazeera  

Aviation industry identified as a leading contributor to the rise in emissions as it recovers from the COVID-19 pandemic. Carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels, the main driver of climate change, are on track to rise one percent in 2022 to reach an all-time high, according to scientists. Global CO2 emissions from all sources, including deforestation, will reach 40.6 billion …

What’s been achieved since Cop26 and what hasn’t?
2 years, 4 months ago

What’s been achieved since Cop26 and what hasn’t?

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “The downward trend in emissions expected by 2030 shows that nations have made some progress this year,” said Simon …

UK well off track to meet 2030s carbon-cutting goals, official figures project
2 years, 4 months ago

UK well off track to meet 2030s carbon-cutting goals, official figures project

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In the light of the new data, senior climate lawyer for environmental law charity Sam Hunter Jones said: “These …

Energy agency: CO2 emissions rise in 2022, but more slowly
2 years, 5 months ago

Energy agency: CO2 emissions rise in 2022, but more slowly

Associated Press  

BERLIN — The International Energy Agency said Wednesday that it expects carbon emissions from the burning of fossil fuels to rise again this year, but by much less than in 2021 due to the growth in renewable power and electric cars. Last year saw a strong rebound in carbon dioxide emissions — the main greenhouse gas responsible for global warming …

E.U. emissions surpass pre-COVID levels
2 years, 10 months ago

E.U. emissions surpass pre-COVID levels

The Hindu  

Greenhouse gas emissions from economic activities in the European Union returned to levels slightly higher than before the start of the coronavirus pandemic in the last quarter of 2021, the European Union's statistics office, Eurostat, reported on May 16. CO2 equivalents are a metric used to compare different greenhouse gases, such as methane, by converting their warming potential per metric …

An increase in methane emissions from fossil fuels is cause for alarm – but with a glimmer of hope
3 years ago

An increase in methane emissions from fossil fuels is cause for alarm – but with a glimmer of hope

The Independent  

That is how an International Energy Agency economist described the increase in methane emissions from oil, gas and coal. The energy sector emitted nearly five per cent more of this potent greenhouse gas in 2021 compared to 2020, when there was a lull due to the Covid pandemic. Emissions from fossil fuels - oil, coal and natural gas - were …

‘Rapid stop’ to CO2 emissions needed to limit global warming to 1.5C, says Met Office
3 years, 2 months ago

‘Rapid stop’ to CO2 emissions needed to limit global warming to 1.5C, says Met Office

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Human-induced CO2 emissions need to come “rapidly to a complete stop” if the world is …

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions jumped in 2021, a threat to climate goals
3 years, 2 months ago

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions jumped in 2021, a threat to climate goals

NPR  

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions jumped in 2021, a threat to climate goals Enlarge this image toggle caption Mario Tama/Getty Images Mario Tama/Getty Images U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose by 6.2% last year compared with 2020, new data released Monday shows. "We need to see annual emission reductions of around 5% each year, and this year we saw emissions grow over …

How coal, climate justice and zero emissions clashed at COP26
3 years, 4 months ago

How coal, climate justice and zero emissions clashed at COP26

The Hindu  

The 26th United Nations Conference of Parties ended in tears. Sharma, who’d extended the conference proceedings by a day, couldn’t get the world to decisively commit to two things: that all countries must cut carbon dioxide emissions so that it doesn’t lead to global warming rising beyond 1.5°C by 2100; and that it was time to set a date to …

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels
3 years, 4 months ago

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels

The Hindu  

The dramatic drop in carbon dioxide emissions from the pandemic lockdown has pretty much disappeared in a puff of coal-fired smoke, much of it from China, a new scientific study found. While most countries went back to pre-pandemic trends, China’s pollution increase was mostly responsible for worldwide figures bouncing back to 2019 levels rather then dropping significantly below them, said …

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels
3 years, 4 months ago

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels

Associated Press  

GLASGOW, Scotland — The dramatic drop in carbon dioxide emissions from the pandemic lockdown has pretty much disappeared in a puff of coal-fired smoke, much of it from China, a new scientific study found. At the height of the pandemic last year, emissions were down to 34.8 billion metric tons, so this year’s jump is 4.9%, according to updated calculations …

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels
3 years, 4 months ago

Globe bounces back to nearly 2019 carbon pollution levels

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Please enter a valid email address Please enter a valid email address SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. At the height of the …

Global carbon emissions set to rebound close to pre-Covid levels
3 years, 4 months ago

Global carbon emissions set to rebound close to pre-Covid levels

Daily Mail  

Global carbon pollution is set to bounce back in 2021 to almost its pre-pandemic levels, scientists have warned as the Cop26 climate talks continue. Global carbon pollution is set to bounce back in 2021 to almost its pre-pandemic levels, scientists have warned as the Cop26 climate talks continue The world has only 11 years left before it has used up …

Earth has 11 years to cut emissions to avoid dire climate scenarios, a report says
3 years, 4 months ago

Earth has 11 years to cut emissions to avoid dire climate scenarios, a report says

NPR  

Earth has 11 years to cut emissions to avoid dire climate scenarios, a report says Enlarge this image toggle caption Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images Zhang Peng/LightRocket via Getty Images The current rate of greenhouse gas pollution is so high that Earth has about 11 years to rein in emissions if countries want to avoid the worst damage from climate …

The world bounces back nearly to 2019 carbon pollution levels after drop during pandemic lockdowns
3 years, 4 months ago

The world bounces back nearly to 2019 carbon pollution levels after drop during pandemic lockdowns

LA Times  

Smoke and steam rise from towers at the coal-fired Urumqi Thermal Power Plant in Urumqi in western China’s Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region on April 21. At the height of the pandemic last year, emissions were down to 34.8 billion metric tons, so this year’s jump is 4.9%, according to updated calculations by Global Carbon Project. Although most countries went back …

Climate crisis: The world has a long, hard climb to ‘net zero’
3 years, 4 months ago

Climate crisis: The world has a long, hard climb to ‘net zero’

Al Jazeera  

The findings in three major documents will guide the decisions of world leaders at COP26 in Glasgow in tackling runaway climate change. If the world emulates the European Union’s commitment to halving emissions by 2030 and eliminating them altogether by 2050, possibly extracting some CO2 from the atmosphere thereafter, global average temperatures by 2100 will be roughly 1.4C higher than …

UN: Greenhouse gas levels hit a new record, cuts fall short
3 years, 4 months ago

UN: Greenhouse gas levels hit a new record, cuts fall short

Associated Press  

GENEVA — Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record high last year and increased at a faster rate than the annual average for the last decade despite a temporary reduction during pandemic lockdowns, the World Meteorological Organization said in a report published Monday. “The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26,” World Meteorological …

CO2 concentrations hit new record despite Covid-19 curbs last year: UN
3 years, 4 months ago

CO2 concentrations hit new record despite Covid-19 curbs last year: UN

Hindustan Times  

The economic slowdown caused by the Covid-19 pandemic did not have any noticeable impact on the concentration of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, which reached new record levels last year, the United Nations said on Monday ahead of the Glasgow climate summit starting on October 31. The concentration of heat-trapping carbon dioxide was 413.2 parts per million in 2020, almost …

Greenhouse gas levels hit record high in 2020: UN report
3 years, 4 months ago

Greenhouse gas levels hit record high in 2020: UN report

Al Jazeera  

UN weather agency warns the world is ‘way off track’ on reaching goals for capping rising temperatures. Monday’s annual report on heat-trapping gases in the atmosphere by the World Meteorological Organization showed that carbon dioxide levels surged to 413.2 parts per million in 2020, increasing at a faster rate than the annual average over the last decade despite a temporary …

Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record in 2020: UN
3 years, 4 months ago

Greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record in 2020: UN

India Today  

The World Meteorological Organization reported Monday that greenhouse gas concentrations hit a new record high last year and increased at a faster rate than the annual average for the last decade despite a temporary reduction during pandemic-related lockdowns. “The Greenhouse Gas Bulletin contains a stark, scientific message for climate change negotiators at COP26,” World Meteorological Organization Secretary-General Petteri Taalas said …

Greenhouse gas levels reached record highs in 2020, even with pandemic lockdowns
3 years, 4 months ago

Greenhouse gas levels reached record highs in 2020, even with pandemic lockdowns

NPR  

Greenhouse gas levels reached record highs in 2020, even with pandemic lockdowns Enlarge this image toggle caption Charles Mostoller/Bloomberg via Getty Images Charles Mostoller/Bloomberg via Getty Images Despite a world economy that slowed significantly because of COVID-19, the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere reached a new record last year, putting the goal of slowing the rise of global …

Only 'relatively minor' changes are needed to cut UK's greenhouse gas
3 years, 7 months ago

Only 'relatively minor' changes are needed to cut UK's greenhouse gas

Daily Mail  

Small changes to lifestyle habits such as eating less red meat and walking more are all that is needed to cut the UK's greenhouse gas to net zero by 2050, a report claims. Small changes to lifestyle habits such as eating less red meat and walking more is all that needed to cut the UK's greenhouse gas to net zero …

From peatland ‘timebombs’ to overheating homes: What we must do to take action on the climate crisis
3 years, 8 months ago

From peatland ‘timebombs’ to overheating homes: What we must do to take action on the climate crisis

The Independent  

Not hitting the mark. Chris Stark, the chief executive of the CCC, warned that the UK’s degraded peatlands could derail efforts to reach net-zero by 2050 without urgent action. Overheating homes: ‘Nothing has happened’ Britain’s overheating and leaky homes also need an urgent overhaul if the UK is to cope with rising climate impacts, the advisers warned. Baroness Brown said …

To reach net-zero emissions and remove CO2 from the air, scientists drawn up six priorities
3 years, 9 months ago

To reach net-zero emissions and remove CO2 from the air, scientists drawn up six priorities

Firstpost  

Information on CO₂ removal is found in academic literature and focuses on a global scale but actually doing it will involve everyone from local farmers to international financiers. Done right, carbon removal could be the perfect accompaniment to emissions cuts, bringing the climate back into balance. Some experts worry that carbon removal could prove to be a mirage – particularly …

Carbon dioxide Emissions Clock Historic Levels Despite Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic
3 years, 9 months ago

Carbon dioxide Emissions Clock Historic Levels Despite Ongoing Covid-19 Pandemic

News 18  

The Carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has again peaked last month, reaching historic levels, according to a new report. Atmospheric carbon dioxide peaked for 2021 in May at a monthly average of 419 parts per million, the highest level since accurate measurements began 63 years ago, scientists from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Scripps Institution of Oceanography …

Your company needs to go carbon neutral. Its next target is your dodgy boiler
3 years, 9 months ago

Your company needs to go carbon neutral. Its next target is your dodgy boiler

Wired  

Covid-19 worked wonders for global net-zero targets. In China, carbon emissions dropped by 25 per cent in the initial stages of the pandemic while global emissions were expected to fall by 2,000 million tonnes across the year as a whole, the largest annual reduction ever recorded. Research conducted by energy supplier Bulb and consultancy EcoAct reckoned that, overall, UK companies …

Also roaring back from pandemic; earth warming emissions
3 years, 11 months ago

Also roaring back from pandemic; earth warming emissions

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. According to a Tuesday report from the International Energy …

IEA issues ‘dire warning’ as CO2 emissions set to soar in 2021
3 years, 11 months ago

IEA issues ‘dire warning’ as CO2 emissions set to soar in 2021

Al Jazeera  

The IEA predicts that carbon dioxide emissions could rise to 33 billion tonnes in 2021 – the second largest rise in emissions ever. Global carbon emissions are set to jump by five percent marking the largest single increase in more than a decade as the economic rebound from the coronavirus pandemic is “anything but sustainable” for the climate. The International …

Britain’s grid ‘greenest ever’ at lunchtime on Easter Bank Holiday Monday
3 years, 11 months ago

Britain’s grid ‘greenest ever’ at lunchtime on Easter Bank Holiday Monday

The Independent  

Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Britain’s electricity grid was the greenest it has ever been at lunchtime on the Easter …

Global emissions cuts need to be ten times higher to stop climate change
4 years ago

Global emissions cuts need to be ten times higher to stop climate change

Live Mint  

When it comes to understanding the rate at which countries should be reducing their greenhouse gas emissions to put a brake on global warming, the math is pretty clear. To limit global temperature rise to well below 2 degrees Celsius from pre-industrial levels by 2100, CO2 emissions need to reduce by one-two billion tonnes every year through the next decade …

Despite lockdowns, emissions from use of oil, gas, coal were higher in Dec 2020 than 2019: Study
4 years ago

Despite lockdowns, emissions from use of oil, gas, coal were higher in Dec 2020 than 2019: Study

Firstpost  

Global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose slightly in December compared with the same month of 2019, indicating the sharp drop seen due to the pandemic was short-lived. Figures released Tuesday by the International Energy Agency show emissions from the production and use of oil, gas and coal were two percent higher in December 2020 than a year earlier. The Paris-based …

Scientists warn of rebound after record 7% fall in global emissions
4 years ago

Scientists warn of rebound after record 7% fall in global emissions

Hindustan Times  

Coronavirus restrictions led to a record 7% fall in global carbon emissions last year, but the drop will be short-lived unless efforts to phase out fossil fuel are intensified, a study by scientists in the journal Nature Climate Change said. The study by scientists from institutions in Australia, Britain, France, Norway and the United States, confirmed preliminary estimates from May …

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