Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States experienced a 1.9% decrease last year compared to the preceding year.
This marks the first instance, post the COVID-19 pandemic, where emissions saw a decline while the country’s economy expanded, as per a recent analysis conducted by the Rhodium Group, a research firm.
The decline was primarily propelled by reductions in the power sector (8%) and buildings sector (4%), attributed in part to the ongoing decrease in the use of coal as a fuel.
The report highlights that coal’s contribution to US power generation hit a historic low of 17% in 2023, with nuclear power surpassing it for only the second time in US history.
Additionally, a mild winter played a role in lowering fuel demand, resulting in decreased emissions from buildings.
The sector with the highest emissions in the country, transportation, experienced a 1.6% rise, attributed to a resurgence in jet fuel consumption as more individuals began traveling following the pandemic.
Additionally, industrial emissions increased by 1%.
The findings of the report rely on initial economic and energy data, which the Environmental Protection Agency is set to formalize in 2025.
The year-over-year decline indicates a modest yet encouraging trend in decarbonization, according to analysts at Rhodium.
In the past year, US emissions were 17.5% lower than 2005 levels. However, to align with President Joe Biden’s target set in the Paris Agreement, which aims to reduce emissions to 50% below 2005 levels by 2030, the country must triple its current rate of progress.
The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, a key climate legislation signed by Biden, along with the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021, are anticipated to accelerate decarbonization through measures such as tax credits for electric vehicles and hydrogen production.
Nevertheless, the report notes that it is premature to ascertain whether these laws will have the anticipated impacts.
