Enigin Update - Ten Countries Emit Two-Thirds of Global CO2
A NEW report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that just ten countries are accountable for most of the world’s CO2 emissions.
The report, “CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2011”, reveals that two-thirds of global CO2 emissions in 2009 came from these ten according to figures released in the lead-up to the UN climate negotiations, COP17, in Durban next Month.
The latest information on the level and growth of CO2 emissions, their source and geographic distribution is felt to be essential to lay the foundation for a global agreement.
China and the United States were the top CO2 emitters, producing 41percent between them. Next came India, Russia, Japan and Germany, Iran, Canada, Korea and the UK making up the ten.
Statistics for 2009 show that emission levels for the group of countries participating in the Kyoto Protocol – a multinational agreement to mitigate climate change – were just shy of 15% below their 1990 level.
Due to the 2008-2009 economic crisis generally global CO2 emissions decreased for the first time since 1990, except in Asia, China and the Middle East, but a large rebound is anticipated in the 2010 figures.
Energy efficiency is a key measure in reducing CO2 emissions, with commerce, industry and the public sector contributing a huge amount through normal operations, which is why the work of Enigin Distributors globally in supplying Enigin plc's products and systems is important for not only reducing energy costs but also tackling the environmental threat of climate change and preserving a future for our children and grandchildren.
Key findings include:
- Two-thirds of global emissions for 2009 originated from just ten countries, with the shares of China and the United States far surpassing those of all others. (Combined, these two countries alone produced 41percent of the world’s CO2 emissions)
- Between 1990 and 2009, CO2 emissions from the combustion of coal grew from 40percent to 43 percent and natural gas from 18 to 20 percent, while CO2 emissions from oil fell from 42 percent to 37 percent
- Two sectors – Electricity and heat generation and transport – produced nearly two-thirds of global COâ‚‚emissions in 2009, up from 58 percent in 1990
Picture of Cooling towers, West Burton Power Station by Richard Croft © Copyright Richard Croft and licensed for reuse under this Creative Commons Licence.
