​Current status of global carbon emissions: Reducing carbon emissions is urgent

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA) 2025 Global Energy Review, energy-related CO₂ emissions reached 37.8Gt in 2024, a record high, with an annual growth of 0.8%. At the same time, the concentration of CO₂ in the global atmosphere reached about 422.5ppm in 2024, an increase of 3ppm from 2023 and 50% higher than before industrialization

Global total CO₂ emissions, including land use, are expected to reach 41.6Gt in 2024, also the highest in history.

This continued upward trend is pushing global temperatures close to the 1.5°C red line set by the Paris Agreement. Climate scientists warn that if no rapid emission reduction actions are taken, it may trigger a "critical point" and cause catastrophic consequences.

Emission reduction path: where to start?

1. Decarbonization of the energy system

The IEA pointed out that although the global energy sector is still increasing emissions, renewable energy (solar and wind) has contributed about 2.6GtCO₂ emission reduction potential

In Europe, electric vehicles (BEVs) have 73% lower life cycle greenhouse gas emissions than gasoline vehicles, promoting environmentally friendly transportation.

2. Carbon capture (CCS) in hard-constrained industries

Cement production accounts for about 8% of global CO₂ emissions. The Heidelberg Materials cement plant in Berivik, Norway uses CCS technology to capture and store 400,000 tons of CO₂ per year

3. Policy tools: carbon tax and emissions trading

Studies have shown that an increase of $10 per ton of CO₂ in carbon tax can reduce per capita emissions by 1.3% in the short term and 4.6% in the long term.

4. Natural solutions and fair mechanisms

The Brazilian state of Piauí plans to generate 20M tons of carbon credits each year by reducing deforestation and implement it through public-private partnerships.

UNEP pointed out that by 2030, about 31Gt CO₂e can be reduced through natural means such as forests, accounting for 52% of the global emission reduction potential in 2023.

Facing challenges, the direction is clear

Although global total emissions have hit a new high, the IEA pointed out that emissions in developed countries have declined (Europe has fallen by 2.2%, the United States has fallen by 0.5%), and a decoupling trend has emerged. However, emissions in developing countries (especially India and Southeast Asia) are still growing.

Reuters quoted climate scientists as warning that the world can only hope to control the temperature rise of 1.5°C if emissions are halved every five years from 2025. This means that emissions need to be reduced by an average of 12% each year.

The UNEP "Emissions Gap Report" also pointed out that in order to achieve the goal, the global economy needs large-scale investment, hydropower, efficiency and natural system protection must be started immediately.

How to implement it? Five key strategies

1. Establish quantitative emission targets and phased emission reduction paths

Use the "Least-Cost" or "Fair-Share" model to build 2030, 2035, and 2050 targets for industries/countries.

2. Accelerate the expansion of renewable energy and electric mobility

Clearly prioritize energy decarbonization and electrify the transportation system. The EU's electric vehicles have achieved significant emission reduction results.

3. Combine carbon pricing with market mechanisms

Introduce carbon taxes and ETS into the mainstream. Price setting should provide incentives in the long term and avoid short-term impacts on global competition.

4. Promote technologies such as CCS and BECCS

In industries that are difficult to decarbonize, such as cement and steel, promote mature capture technologies and build transnational storage and operation systems.

5. Strengthen natural capital: forests, agriculture, etc.

Support forest protection carbon credit projects with clear rights and responsibilities, such as the Piauí project. At the same time, promote low-carbon transformation of agriculture and natural ecological restoration.

Action is urgent

Carbon emissions are still setting new records, but existing technologies and policy tools are not absent. The key is to:

Set clear and quantifiable targets (5 years, 10 years, 30 years);

Combined use of electrification, carbon pricing, CCS, and nature conservation;

Strengthen national and regional cooperation to form a fair sharing mechanism.

As Reuters emphasized: "The world can only win this climate race if it is halved every five years." This is the challenge we are facing now, and it is also the only feasible path. Let policies, technologies and fair mechanisms advance in synergy and jointly weave a path to "net zero".