REM: As COP29 winds down, a new analysis says China’s cumulatiuve emissions now worse than EU's

As COP29 nears its end, a new report reveals that China’s cumulative emissions within its borders have surpassed those of the European Union’s 27 member states. The analysis is by Carbon Brief.

The data arrives as tense discussions unfold at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, which ends on November 22, where the focus is on “historical responsibility” in debates over a new global climate finance target. Talks, amongst representatives of nearly 200 countries,  are expected to spill over into November 23.

The Carbon Brief analysis indicates that 94% of the carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C – as suggested by the Paris Agreement – has already been used.

 Since 1850, global cumulative emissions have reached 2,607bn tonnes of carbon dioxide (GtCO2), with China’s total hitting 312 GtCO2 in 2023.

China’s figure now exceeds the EU’s 303 GtCO2 but still trails – by a long way – the United States’ 532 GtCO2.

Despite this, Carbon Brief – a climate research site – suggests China is unlikely to overtake the US in historical emissions due to current policies and technological trends.

If you’d like to read more about the key events shaping the clean energy sector then please click here for NewsBase’s Renewable Energy Monitor.