Carbon Emissions Hit Record High as Green Transition Swerves Off Course

Global greenhouse gas emissions climbed to an all-time high in 2024, reaching 40.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent—half a billion more than the previous year. So finds the latest report from the Energy Institute, which paints a sobering picture: despite record investments in renewables, the global economy is sliding deeper into its addiction to fossil fuels.

The chief culprits remain unchanged: China, India, and the United States. China alone accounts for 31% of global CO₂ emissions, or 12.5 billion tonnes annually. While the country continues to build solar and wind capacity, it also opens new coal plants in the name of “energy security.” The result is a kind of greenwashing-in-reverse—renewables are added, but they don't replace fossil fuels.

India’s emissions are climbing fast, reflecting both rapid development and poverty reduction. At 3.3 billion tonnes per year, its footprint is 24% higher than a decade ago—driven by enduring dependence on coal and oil.

The U.S., by contrast, stands out as a rare success story. Its emissions have fallen below 1990 levels, despite population growth. The drop is largely thanks to coal being displaced by natural gas and renewables.

Europe has managed a 15% reduction over the past ten years, led by Germany and the UK. Eastern and Southern Europe, however, lag behind—held back by economic pressures or political inertia.

Elsewhere, the trend is uniformly upward. Africa’s emissions have grown by 25% in the past decade; Latin America and Asia by nearly 10%. Renewable energy still can’t keep pace with rising demand, let alone displace existing fossil fuel use.

The report’s conclusion is stark: current efforts are falling short. Emissions continue to rise, climate targets are drifting into the realm of wishful thinking, and the goal of keeping global warming within 1.5°C is clearly out of reach. The planet is moving fast—but in a direction that betrays the promises.