CO2 emissions from burning fossil fuels will decrease in 2026 for the first time since 2021.
According to a forecast by climatologists from the University of Exeter, the volume of CO2 emissions associated with the burning of fossil fuels will decrease by 0.4%, to 38.2 billion tons compared to 38.35 billion tons a year earlier. This is the first reduction in the index since 2021.
Scientists link the dynamics with the accelerated implementation of renewable energy in China and several European countries, as well as a decrease in hydrocarbon consumption against the background of worsening conflict in the Middle East. Emissions from oil are expected to decrease by 1.9% and natural gas by 0.3%.
Most major economies, including China, Japan and the European Union, expect emissions reductions of 0.9-1.5%. The exception is India, where they will grow by 4.4%. At the same time, total CO2 emissions, including those related to land use and deforestation, will increase by 1.1%, to 43.3 billion tons.