Is the World Approaching "Peak Emissions"?

"Global emissions of carbon dioxide may be showing the first signs of a 'permanent slowdown' in the rate of increase," reports Matt McGrath. "According to a new report, emissions in 2012 increased at less than half the average over the past decade."

Writing in Grist, John Upton explains that, "[t]he slowdown is attributed to the worldwide growth of the renewables sector; to America’s fracking boom (which produces cheap natural gas that’s reducing coal use but also hobbling the growth of renewables); to new hydropower projects that are offsetting the use of coal in China; and to falling energy consumption and transportation in Europe triggered in part by a bad economy."

"Looking ahead, the report suggests that if the push for shale continues in the US, if China sticks to its published plans and if renewables continue to grow - particularly in Europe - global emissions might slow down permanently," adds McGrath.