India's CO2 emissions: 8% of global total, up 4.6% in 2024

New Delhi: India’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions currently account for 8% of the global total and are projected to rise by 4.6% in 2024, according to a new report ahead of the UN climate conference in Baku, Azerbaijan.

The Global Carbon Project report, compiled by over 120 scientists, revealed that global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels have reached a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes in 2024, an increase of 0.8% from 2023. The study, led by the University of Exeter, emphasizes that there is “no sign” of a peak in fossil fuel CO2 emissions, despite growing concerns about climate change.

The report predicts a rise in emissions from coal (0.2%), oil (0.9%), and gas (2.4%) globally. China, which contributes 32% of the world’s emissions, is expected to see a slight increase of 0.2%. The United States, accounting for 13% of global emissions, is forecasted to experience a decline of 0.6%. Meanwhile, the European Union (7% of global emissions) will reduce its emissions by 3.8%.

The report also highlighted that emissions in the rest of the world, which contribute 38% of global CO2 emissions, are expected to rise by 1.1%.

With CO2 levels steadily increasing, pushing global warming to dangerous levels, the report underscores the urgency of drastic cuts to fossil fuel emissions. “Time is running out to meet the Paris Agreement goals,” said Professor Pierre Friedlingstein, leading the study. He urged world leaders attending COP29 to commit to substantial reductions to prevent global temperatures from exceeding 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

The report also forecasts that at the current rate of emissions, there is a 50% chance global warming will surpass 1.5°C within six years, marking a critical threshold for long-term climate stability.

With IANS inputs