LONDON : The latest Global Carbon Budget report reveals a steady rise in fossil fuel emissions worldwide, driven by increased use of oil, gas, and coal despite expanding renewable energy efforts.

According to the annual Global Carbon Budget report, carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels are projected to be 1.1 percent higher in 2025 than the previous year, bringing total global emissions to a record 38.1 billion tons. The report assesses human-caused CO₂ emissions, from burning hydrocarbons and cement production to land-use changes, and compares them against the warming thresholds set under the 2015 Paris Agreement.

The findings highlight that only 170 billion tons of carbon dioxide remain in the global “carbon budget” for a chance to stay within the 1.5°C limit, a threshold now deemed unattainable due to accelerating emissions. Despite rapid growth in renewable technologies, scientists noted that clean energy progress remains insufficient to counter rising global energy demand.

Region-wise, the report points to significant shifts in major economies. In the United States, emissions from coal rose by 7.5 percent as power producers turned to more polluting fuels amid higher gas prices. Both the U.S. and the European Union saw reversals of their recent emission declines, driven in part by colder winter months that increased heating requirements.

India emerged as a rare positive highlight, with early monsoon patterns and the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources contributing to lower emissions compared to recent years. Meanwhile, emissions in China, the world’s largest emitter, appear to be stabilizing, suggesting a potential plateau.