Global CO2 Emissions From Energy Combustion and Industrial Processes, 1900-2022

After a brief dip during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns, global emissions climbed to a record high in 2022. Or as the IEA put it, “the world has not heeded the call for a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.” Clean energy technologies are being developed and coming on stream all the time but they need to be rapidly deployed and scaled up if the world it is to achieve the goal of net zero by 2050.

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Climate Politics

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LATEST VISUAL LEARNING

This chart shows the total amount of man-made emissions created by the world's biggest polluters.
The amount of atmospheric CO2 has charted a steady climb higher. The Mauna Loa Observatory on the north flank of volcano of the same name
The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) began its so-called ‘definitive regime’ phase on 1st January this year, meaning the tariff mechanism has moved
Under CCS, carbon emissions are captured and permanently stored, for example in geological storage sites.
Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by trapping the gas for industrial use or permanent storage, preventing

26 January 2026

HIGHLIGHT
EU CBAM ‘real cost’ phase begins

The European Union’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) began its so-called ‘definitive regime’ phase on 1st January this year, meaning the tariff mechanism has moved from a reporting obligation to a real-world cost for companies...

15 January 2025

GLOSSARY
CCUS/CCS

Under CCS, carbon emissions are captured and permanently stored, for example in geological storage sites.

23 December 2025

ARTICLE
What is Carbon Capture, Utilisation & Storage?

Carbon Capture, Utilisation and Storage (CCUS) is a method of reducing carbon dioxide emissions by trapping the gas for industrial use or permanent storage, preventing its release into the atmosphere.

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