by Javed baloch images via unsplash
Global greenhouse gas emissions reached a record high in 2023, reaching 57.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO2e) as per UNEP Emissions Gap Report 2024.
This accounts for an up to 1.3% increase from 2022. Data for 2024 show a comparable rate of emissions. Despite climate talks and measures, there seems no indication of emissions slowing down anytime soon.
According to Climate Action Tracker, the global mean temperature will rise by 2.7 C by 2100 relative to pre-industrial levels if current policies continue.
The highest emissions were from the power sector responsible for 15.1 GtCO2e in 2023, followed by the transport sector with 8.4 GtCO2e emissions released.
Agriculture and industry each emitted 6 GtCO2e of greenhouse gas. Fuel production released around the same amount of emissions.
The Power sector accounts for 26% of total global emissions, followed by Transport (15%), Industry (11%), Agriculture (11%), and Fuel Production (10%).
To limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, the world needs to curb greenhouse gas emissions by 43% by 2030, according to UN projections.