Global Emissions Trends Ten Years Post-Paris Agreement

Ten years after the Paris climate agreement, global emissions trends reveal a complex picture of progress and setbacks. According to The Guardian, renewable energy saw a remarkable 15% growth last year, making up over 90% of new power generation capacity.

Investment in clean energy exceeded $2 trillion, significantly outpacing fossil fuel investments. However, the projected temperature rise, initially expected to peak at 4 degrees Celsius, has only been reduced to about 2.5 degrees, highlighting a gap between commitments and action.

Key countries like China and India have shown both progress and challenges; while China's emissions have flattened, it still contributed significantly to global greenhouse gases post-Paris, accounting for 90% of the increase since the agreement.

In parallel, India has made strides with half of its power generation now low-carbon. The rift between developed and developing nations remains a concern, particularly regarding climate finance obligations, with poorer countries urging wealthier nations to fulfill their promises.

The recent climate summits have seen mixed results, with the need for sustained effort and cooperation emphasized by leaders like Ed Miliband and Evans Njewa. As climate envoy Tina Stege noted, multilateral cooperation is essential, and the geopolitical landscape complicates the path forward.