Global annual carbon emissions per capita, 1750-2021 (Tons of CO2)
Global Carbon Project
30 Jan 2023
In 2021, global per capita carbon emissions increased to 4.69 tons, marking a rise of 200kg per person from 2020. This escalation contributes to rising global temperatures. Despite international commitments such as the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, temperatures have surpassed targets as of 2023. This breach shows the need for immediate and sustained efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions to mitigate global warming and enhance air quality. In efforts to reduce carbon emissions, the renewable energy expansion, shown by a 50% increase in capacity from 2022 to 2023, aims to diminish reliance on fossil fuel power plants. The rapid adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) is evident, with the US selling 1.2 million EVs in 2023 alone. In further efforts to reduce emissions, nature-based solutions, such as the protection and restoration of forests and mangroves, have seen significant strides, as shown by the National Forest Foundation's planting of over 5 million trees across 13,942 acres in 2023. These global initiatives collectively aim to lower per capita carbon emissions and reduce global temperatures.
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