Report warns of post-pandemic emission spike across G20

A report released today claims CO2 emissions are on track to rise by 4% this year across G20 countries.

The Climate Transparency Report 2021 says emissions are rising once again after dipping by 6% in 2020 as COVID-19 sent economies across the world into lockdown.

However, of the 20 richest countries, only 3: China, India and Argentina are set to exceed their 2019 emissions levels.

In 2018 the UK contributed 1.1% of global carbon emissions.

The G20 creates around 75% of world emissions.

The report complains that fossil fuels continue to compromise efforts to combat climate change.

The report, arranged by 16 research organisations and campaign groups, warns that coal use across the G20 will likely rise by 5% this year.

China is responsible for 60% of the rise as post-pandemic energy demand surges.

Today’s report said gas use has risen by 12% across the G20 since 2015.

However, renewables such as wind and solar supply around 12% of power as of 2021, compared to 10% last year.

Neither China, India, Australia nor Saudi Arabia has presented plans to rein in their carbon emissions by 2030 ahead of the COP 26 UN climate summit kicking off later this month, despite an agreement that all G20 nations will do so.

The report also criticised the world’s 20 richest nations for not investing enough in green tech.