A new report published by the Netherlands Environment Assessment Agency and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre sees the slowing growth of global CO2 emissions as an indication that we may be headed towards an eventual emissions decline.
"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.
Read the full story: Report suggests slowdown in CO2 emissions rise
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