A further acceleration of clean energy is needed for global CO2 emissions to peak and decline
Abstract Global fossil fuel CO 2 emissions have grown 0.8% per year on average between 2019 and 2025. Here we project a decrease of 0.4% in 2026, probably as a short-term response to the energy shock triggered by the Iran conflict. Electric vehicles and solar and wind power offset about 64–79% of increasing emissions from demand growth through 2028; acceleration in clean technology deployment is needed to guarantee emissions peak and subsequent decline.
Authors
- Pierre Friedlingstein (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3309-4739)
- Corinne Le Quéré (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2319-0452)
- Glen P. Peters (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7889-8568)
- Robbie M. Andrew (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8590-6431)
- Josep G. Canadell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8788-3218)
- Robert B. Jackson (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8846-7147)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Nature Climate Change
- Published
- 2026-11-10
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41558-026-02821-8
- Primary Topic
- Global Energy and Sustainability Research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00