Flat green house gas emissions — trend or aberration?

Recently on these pages, some good news on climate change: in 2014, CO2 emissions were the same as in 2013, while the world economy grew by 3.3%.

Next question: Was 2014 the beginning of a downward trend in CO2 emissions, or merely an aberration?

Scientists are divided.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2015/3/24/science-environment/scientists-have-mixed-opinions-about-whether-stagnant-energy?utm_source=exact&utm_medium=email&utm_content=1227831&utm_campaign=cs_daily&modapt= / International Energy global greenhouse gas emissions burning fossil fuels energy 2014 same as they were in 2013 first time in 40 years energy-related emissions were flat economy grew announcement established economic wisdom economic growth inextricably linked rising fossil fuel consumption rising climate-changing carbon dioxide emissions flat energy-related GHG green house gas climate change emissions CO2 carbon dioxide emissions growing economy leading climate scientists economists tight coupling decoupling emissions and economic growth in progress developed world climate scientists mixed opinions decoupling seen last year global CO2 emissions in the future renewable energy fossil fuels expand India China other developing nations with booming economies economic growth anthropogenic very hopeful sign grow the economy and lower carbon emissions at the same time Michael Mann climate researcher director Earth System Science Center Penn State University impossible possible appears to be happening already Steve Cohen director Earth Institute Columbia University increases use of fossil fuels China India show few signs of abating push emissions in the opposite direction in 2015 development affordable renewable energy technology counter that trend globally energy-related greenhouse gas emissions 32.3 billion metric tons CO2 IEA US energy-related greenhouse gas emissions USA US relatively flat growth US Energy Information Administration analyst Perry Lindstrom relatively low growth linked to both the adoption of more fuel-efficient vehicles replacement of coal-powered electricity with renewable energy sources relatively cleaner-burning natural gas policymakers opportunity make a big difference in emissions Rob Jackson earth systems science professor Stanford University flat or declining energy-related emissions can continue globally US energy-related emissions showing little growth flat policies impact downward direction Lindstrom Jackson decoupling CO2 emissions economic growth fast-growing economies China India this year’s good news link between CO2 emissions economic growth developed countries in part availability of inexpensive natural gas beginning replace coal for electric power generation Harvard University business and government professor Robert N. Stavins US boom in hydraulic fracturing fracking, horizontal drilling natural gas decrease energy-related CO2 emissions carbon pricing through cap-and-trade systems carbon taxes greater energy efficiency constrain CO2 emissions decades overall energy intensity energy use per unit of GDP economies developed world decreasing energy comes at a cost firms households incentives economise on energy use Stavins said Mann implement incentives create a greater gulf between CO2 emissions economic growth beginning of a trend emissions in the US Germany dramatically lowered their carbon emissions feed-in tariffs incentive incentivise non-fossil-fuel energy West Coast Northeast states US investing more in renewable energy decrease in emissions globally stagnant energy-related CO2 emissions exception to the rule beginning of a trend scientists greenhouse gas emissions Ken Caldeira climate scientist Carnegie Institution for Science Stanford California reduce GHGs climate significant investments in wind solar nuclear power emissions are going to rise in the long term substantial reductions emissions possible United States of America US rest of the world herculean efforts transforming global energy system use the sky as a waste dump Caldeira positive policy moves increasing automobile efficiency get serious avoiding the risk of dangerous climate change Climate Central /