Carbon Emissions Set to Soar in 2021

Just as we were giving ourselves a pat on the back for reducing carbon emissions during the Covid-19 pandemic, articles published by The Guardian and The New York Times suggest we are poised to take a big step backwards.

Predicting that 2021 will see a leap in global carbon dioxide emissions “second only to the massive rebound 10 years ago after the financial crisis,” this is not good news.

We need carbon dioxide emission to be cut by 45% by 2030 to cap global heating to 1.5 degrees Celsius. With governments around the world working urgently on new climate policies are we really on course to make the same mistakes?

All eyes are on U.S. President Biden and his climate summit later this week, at which the U.S. is expected to unveil its National Determined Contribution in accordance with the Paris Climate Agreement. Clear and decisive action, and firm commitments are needed to put the world back on track.

(Image acknowledgement: J David Ake/AP)

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