All articles tagged with #emissions
The piece explores whether economic growth can be decoupled from carbon emissions, highlighting the growing influence of post-growth ideas (such as doughnut economics and wellbeing budgets) in response to slipping climate targets and calls from leaders like the UN chief to move beyond GDP as a progress measure, while debating how far de-growth should go to keep the planet within safe limits.
A federal judge issued a preliminary injunction blocking New Hampshire from ending its motor vehicle inspection program, in a lawsuit by Gordon-Darby Inc., ordering the state to resume and enforce the program. The ruling cites potential violations of the Clean Air Act if the program were ended without EPA approval, which has not yet been granted.
UCS modeling shows AI-driven data centers could raise US electricity demand 60-80% by 2050, with data centers making up more than half the rise by decade’s end and potentially pushing power-plant CO2 emissions up 19-29% over the next decade under current policies. Reinstating wind/solar tax credits could cut emissions by over 30% and gradually reduce wholesale electricity costs by 2050; more aggressive decarbonization and grid upgrades would raise costs a bit but avert up to $13 trillion in climate damages. Policy uncertainty—particularly under the current administration—complicates renewables deployment, but storage and on-site generation could help keep consumer rates down.
Global temperatures in 2025 averaged about 1.4C above pre-industrial levels, cooler than 2024 due to La Niña, but the last three years have been the warmest on record. Despite natural cooling, human-caused emissions continue to drive long-term warming, bringing the world closer to the 1.5C target and signaling more heat records and extreme weather unless emissions are sharply reduced and adaptation is intensified.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose about 2.4% in 2025 after two years of decline, driven by colder winter heating and higher natural gas prices that boosted coal-fired power; electricity demand from data centers and crypto mining contributed to higher consumption, while solar grew rapidly and transportation emissions stayed flat thanks to EV adoption. The rise complicates long-term decarbonization goals, though forecasts suggest the trajectory could improve with policy and market shifts and reporting changes.
China’s coal-fired power fell 1.6% and India’s by 3% last year—the first declines in both since the 1970s—thanks to a record surge in solar and wind that met rising demand. China added over 300 GW of solar and 100 GW of wind, while India added 35 GW solar, 6 GW wind and 3.5 GW hydro. Together they drove more than 90% of the rise in global carbon emissions from 2015 to 2024, so a sustained fall in coal use could help curb global emissions, though weather and demand variability could reverse gains; the IEA cautions coal may stay near peak until 2027 due to gas prices and other pressures.
U.S. greenhouse gas emissions rose about 2.4% in 2025 versus 2024, ending a decade-long decline as a cold winter boosted heating demand and electricity use from data centers and crypto mining, with higher natural gas prices boosting coal power; solar surged 34% and zero-carbon sources supplied roughly 42% of electricity, though experts warn the uptick could foreshadow more emissions if fossil fuels remain dominant and Trump-era rollbacks haven’t yet taken effect.
The Trump administration prioritizes fossil-fuel expansion, withdrawal from the main international climate treaty, and curbing clean energy, a mix that scientists say will worsen warming and has coincided with a 1.9% rise in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions after he returned to office.
Mercedes-Benz agrees to pay nearly $150 million to settle allegations of installing devices in vehicles to cheat emissions tests, with the settlement covering over 211,000 vehicles and including provisions for vehicle repairs and consumer relief. The automaker denies liability but aims to resolve all related legal issues in the U.S.
Mercedes-Benz agrees to pay $149.6 million to settle allegations of installing defeat devices in over 211,000 diesel vehicles to cheat emissions tests, with the settlement including compensation for affected owners and stricter reporting requirements, while denying any liability.
Satellites are being used to detect and reduce methane leaks from landfills, with a recent case study in Madrid demonstrating how high-resolution satellite and aircraft data can identify leaks, guide repairs, and improve emissions monitoring, ultimately aiding efforts to combat climate change.
Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to increase slightly in 2025, but the growth rate has slowed over the past decade due to a boom in renewable energy, especially solar power, which is helping to stabilize electricity sector emissions. While this offers hope for curbing global warming, current policies suggest that warming could still reach 2.6°C by the end of the century, highlighting the urgent need for more decisive climate action.
California's Governor Newsom is actively engaging in international climate discussions in Brazil, aiming to strengthen global climate commitments and fill the void left by the absence of the U.S. federal government, with a focus on implementing climate solutions at the city and state level amidst a lack of comprehensive global agreements at COP in Belém.
EU countries have agreed on a weakened 2040 climate goal and target for COP30, reflecting a decline in ambition and consensus on climate action ahead of the summit.
Uber is offering drivers $4,000 incentives to switch to electric vehicles amid threats from Trump to eliminate zero emissions targets, highlighting ongoing debates over environmental policies and corporate sustainability efforts.