According to new study, India’s carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 5.2 per cent while China’s decreased by 0.7 per cent in 2015.
India contributed 6.3 per cent of all global CO2 emissions, with emissions increasing 5.2 per cent, in 2015 continuing a period of strong growth, according to researchers at the University of East Anglia (UEA) in the UK and the Global Carbon Project.
Global carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels did not grow in 2015 and are projected to rise only slightly in 2016, marking three years of almost no growth.
The projected rise of only 0.2 per cent for 2016 marks a clear break from the rapid emissions growth of 2.3 per cent per year in the decade to 2013, with just 0.7 per cent growth seen in 2014.
The data shows emissions growth remained below one per cent despite GDP growth exceeding 3 per cent. Decreased use of coal in China is the main reason behind the 3-year slowdown.
This third year of almost no growth in emissions is unprecedented at a time of strong economic growth.
China, the biggest emitter of CO2 at 29 per cent, saw emissions decrease by 0.7 per cent in 2015, compared to growth of more than 5 per cent per year the previous decade.
A further reduction of 0.5 per cent is projected for 2016, though with large uncertainties.
The US, the second biggest emitter of CO2 at 15 per cent, also reduced its coal use while increasing its oil and gas consumption and saw emissions decrease 2.6 per cent last year.
US emissions are projected to decrease by 1.7 per cent in 2016.
The EU’s 28 member states are the third largest emitter causing 10 per cent of emissions. The EU’s CO2 emissions went up 1.4 per cent in 2015, in contrast with longer term decreases.
Although the break in emissions rise ties in with the pledges by countries to decrease emissions until 2030, it falls short of the reductions needed to limit climate change well below 2 degrees Celsius.