CO2 intensity

Global CO₂ intensity is contracting slowly (-1.5% in 2023), even slower than in 2020.

In 2023, the global CO₂ intensity (CO₂ emissions per unit of constant GDP) declined by 1.5%, slower than in 2022 (-2%) and over the 2010-2019 period (-1.9%/year).
Thanks to a lower energy consumption and a higher CO₂-free power generation, CO₂ intensity decreased rapidly (and at a much faster rate than over 2010-2019) in OECD countries, such as the US (-4.3%), Japan (-8.7%) and South Korea (-5.4%); the CO₂ intensity also fell by 8.8% in the EU (higher nuclear and renewable power generation as in Japan and South Korea, and higher hydropower generation), by 5.9% in the UK, and by 2.3% in Canada. CO₂ intensity slightly increased in Australia (+0.9%) and in Mexico (+2.4%).
In the BRICS, the reduction in CO₂ intensity is slowing down, from 2.6%/year over 2010-2019 to -0.9% in 2022 and -0.6% in 2023. CO₂ intensity remained stable in China (compared to -4.2%/year over 2010-2019) and in Brazil; it decreased by only 0.6% in India, by 2.6% in Russia, and by 2.3% in South Africa (over coal and electricity supply problems).