CO emissions2 of the energy sector increased again last year, due to the global economic rebound and increased use of coal, announced on Tuesday, March 8, the International Energy Agency (IEA).
Energy, the leading sector producing greenhouse gases, saw its emissions increase by 6% in 2021, for a total of 36.3 gigatonnes (Gt), their “highest level ever reached”, says the IEA. CO emissions2 from energy had fallen in an unprecedented way between 2020 and 2021 (− 5.2%), under the effect of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Coal responsible for 40% of this growth
This volume of emissions, which exceeds the previous record (2019), was also largely fueled by weather conditions, as well as the boom in gas prices, which pushed many countries to turn to coal. despite unprecedented growth in renewable energy capacity.
Coal is responsible for 40% of this growth, with a level of 15.3 Gt of CO2. Gas also exceeded the 2019 level, at 7.5 Gt. Oil, on the other hand, is at 10.7 Gt, below pre-pandemic levels, as transport – and in particular aviation – has not yet completely taken back.