Humanity Just Produced The Biggest Increase in Global CO2 Emissions Ever Recorded

(Niko Tavernise/Don't Look Up/Netflix)

The International Energy Agency said Tuesday that global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rose by 6 percent in 2021, to a record 36.3 billion metric tons.

The increase in global CO 2 emissions of over 2 billion metric tons was the largest in history in absolute terms, more than offsetting the previous year's decline.

Coal was used to power growth as the world economy rebounded from the COVID crisis.

The recovery of energy demand was compounded by adverse weather and energy market conditions, which led to more coal being burned despite renewable power generation recording its largest ever growth.

The rebound of global CO 2 emissions above pre-pandemic levels was largely driven by China, according to the IEA.

It said that China was the only major economy to experience economic growth.

The emissions increase in China more than made up for the decline in the rest of the world over the same period.

China's CO 2 emissions rose above 11.9 billion metric tons, accounting for 33 percent of the global total.

Agence France-Presse