U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Continue Post-Pandemic Rebound in 2022

The Rhodium Group has released preliminary estimations of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions for 2022, estimating that the country emitted more in 2022 than in 2021, despite renewable energy production surpassing coal for the first time.  

An article by Alfredo Rivera, Ben King, John Larsen, and Kate Larsen announces the new emissions estimate report, putting the country’s emissions in 2022 in context of the global disruption caused by the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the sharp emission declines of the early Covid-19 pandemic, and the growth of the overall U.S. economy.

“Based on preliminary economic activity and energy data, Rhodium Group estimates that greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the US slightly increased in 2022, rising 1.3% compared to the previous year. While this is the second year in a row that emissions have increased, it nonetheless marks a change from 2021, when emissions rebounded faster than the economic growth rate.”

As hinted in that passage, the silver lining of the report is that U.S. emissions did not grow faster than the U.S. economy, like they did in 2021. The unequivocally bad news, however, is that emissions rose in every sector other than energy production last year.

“The most significant increase was seen in direct emissions from buildings, which rose by 6% and was the only sector to rebound to pre-pandemic levels (Figure 3). This was largely due to increased energy consumption for heating in homes, as 2022 reported below-average winter temperatures,” according to the article.

The Rhodium Group’s article, also linked as the source article below, includes specific focus on the breakdown of U.S. energy production in 2022, other sectors, and the ongoing chase to meet Paris Climate Agreement targets for emissions reductions.

“With the slight increase in emissions in 2022, the US continues to fall behind in its efforts to meet its target set under the Paris Agreement of reducing GHG emissions 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030,” according to the article. “In 2022, emissions reached only 15.5% below 2005 levels. In order to meet the 2025 target of 26-28% below 2005 levels and get back on track for the 2030 Paris goal, the US needs to significantly increase its efforts.” 

The article also expresses optimism that the Inflation Reduction Act will provide a turning point for emissions reductions in the United States.

News coverage of the report is available from Maxine Joselow at the Washington Post.