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Oh no! The news is out– worldwide carbon emissions from nonrenewable fuel sources have actually increased once again in 2023, breaking some unfortunate records. The latest research from the Global Carbon Project science team reveals that the amounts have reached record levels.
According to the yearly International Carbon Budget, fossil CO2 emissions soared to 36.8 billion metric tons in 2023, marking a 1.1% increase from 2022. The 2023 edition of this report, which is the 18th yearly report, is hot off the press from the journal Earth System Science Data.
While it’s true that emissions from land-use change, such as logging, are expected to reduce somewhat, it’s not enough to offset rising CO2 levels. This report projects that the total international CO2 emissions (fossil + land-use change) will reach a staggering 40.9 billion metric tons in 2023. This year will mark a 10-year “plateau,” which is quite far from the high decline in emissions that we urgently need to meet worldwide environmental goals.
That’s right, the research study group consisted of the University of Exeter, the University of East Anglia (UEA), CICERO Center for International Climate Research, Ludwig-Maximilian-University Munich, and 90 other institutions around the globe. These are serious findings that should be ringing alarms for everyone.
For how long up until we cross 1.5 ° C of worldwide warming?
This research study estimates the remaining carbon budget before the 1.5 ° C target is surpassed, repeatedly over several years, and it’s not looking too good. According to the Global Carbon Budget team, with the current level of emissions, there’s a 50% chance that worldwide warming will exceed 1.5 ° C within about 7 years.
Clearly, the remaining carbon budget– and the time left to meet the 1.5 ° C target and dodge the worst consequences of climate change– is running out at an alarming rate.
But wait, there’s more. Professor Corinne Le Quéré, Royal Society Research Professor at UEA’s School of Environmental Sciences, has a few words about all this. “The latest CO2 data shows that current efforts are not extensive or comprehensive enough to put global emissions on a downward trajectory towards Net Zero, but some trends in emissions are beginning to shift, showing climate policies can be effective.”
