CO₂ emissions stabilised (-0.2%) after two years of increase

In 2019, CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion slightly decreased (-0.2%) following two years of growth, thanks to a significant improvement in energy intensity (-2.1% in 2019) and to a strong decline of the CO₂ emissions per kWh produced (-3.2%, or 443 gCO₂/kWh) mainly due to fuel switching from coal to gas and the rising share of renewables in the global power mix.
Most of the reduction in emissions occurred in the USA (-2.4%) and Europe (-3.9%, with significant cuts in Germany, Poland, the UK, Spain and Turkey), resulting from a lower energy demand (in particular in the power sector) due to a slower economic growth, mild temperatures, and fuel substitutions in the power sector (coal-to-gas switching and renewable growth).
In Asia, CO₂ emissions grew again, though at a slower pace than in recent years. Emissions rose for the third year in a row in China (+2.8%), where the coal-to-gas conversion policy was relaxed and continue their steady growth in Indonesia. On the contrary, emissions declined in India (higher hydropower generation reducing coal consumption), South Korea (temporary shutdowns of coal-fired power plants and shift from coal to LNG) and Japan (lower electricity consumption and improved nuclear availability cutting thermal power generation).
CO₂ emissions also continued to increase in coal and hydrocarbon producing countries, such as Russia, Australia, Iran, South Africa or Algeria.