Annual global emissions of carbon dioxide 2000-2019

Over the past 20 years, global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels and industry have been steadily increasing. At the turn of the century, global emissions were roughly 23 billion metric tons, but by 2019 had reached a record high of 36.44 billion metric tons. Projections for 2020 show a reduction of two billion metric tons. The only other time during this period when emissions have dropped was in 2009, which was due to the economic downturn of the global recession. Historically, major global events cause emission reductions.

Impact of COVID-19

    The 2009 global recession caused worldwide CO2 emissions to reduce by approximately 300 million metric tons. However, it is projected that the emission reductions caused by COVID-19 will amount to an unprecedented 2,500 million metric tons worldwide. Countries around the world were put under strict lockdowns, meaning transportation and industrial activities were significantly reduced. CO2 emission levels in India dropped for the first time in four decades in the year ending March 2020. This was mainly because of the strict lockdowns put in place.

Energy demand driving emissions

   Despite the projected reductions in 2020, they will have little impact on climate change overall. The energy sector is the main cause for the rise in CO2 emissions, and global energy demand is expected to continue increasing in the coming decades, as populations and economies grow.