Global Energy Use Of CO2 Emissions Record Highest Record In 2023

UNSPLASH ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The carbon emissions from global energy use hit a record high of 37.4 billion tons last year, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said.

However, its growth in that year was slower than 2022 thanks to the increasing use of clean energy technology.

"Global energy CO2 emissions increased 1.1 percent in 2023, increased by 410 million tons (Mt) and recorded a record high of 37.4 billion tons (Gt). This increase (is lower than) compared to the addition of 490 Mt in 2022 (1.3 percent)," said the IEA in its annual emission report reported by ANTARA from Sputnik, Friday, March 1.

Coal accounted for more than 65 percent of the increase in emissions by 2023, according to the report.

It is estimated that the global decline in the use of hydroelectric power plants due to the dry season is one of the factors contributing to the increase in CO2 emissions last year so that emissions increase by 170 million tons.

At the same time, the widespread use of solar power, wind power, nuclear power, steam pumps, and electric vehicles has helped prevent the increase in the use of fossil-based energy so that emissions from energy slowly decrease, the IEA said.

"Between 2019 and 2023, total emissions from energy increased by around 900 Mt. Without the application of five major clean energy technologies since 2019... emission growth may have tripled," the report said.

Countries with the largest economies recorded a drastic drop in CO2 emissions last year to reach their lowest figure in 50 years, even as their gross domestic product (GDP) increased.

They and China also account for 90 percent of the number of solar and wind power plants, and 95 percent of sales of electric vehicles by 2023 globally, the IEA said.