Global Carbon Emissions Hit Record Highs in 2025

According to a new analysis, global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are projected to reach a record high in 2025, rising 1.1% compared to 2024 levels. While many countries are shifting towards clean energy, this is not enough to offset the growth in global energy demand, leading to an increase in the burning of oil, coal, and gas.

The study also warns that the remaining global carbon budget for limiting warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels is "nearly exhausted" and will be gone before 2030 at current emission rates. Additionally, climate change is now reducing the combined ability of land and ocean ecosystems to absorb carbon, with 8% of the rise in atmospheric CO2 since 1960 attributed to this weakening of natural carbon sinks.

Despite some progress, such as 35 countries reducing emissions while growing their economies, the researchers state that "progress is still much too fragile to translate into the sustained decreases in global emissions needed to tackle climate change." With global temperatures continuing to rise and extreme weather events worsening, the world faces a critical challenge in rapidly reducing emissions to avoid the most catastrophic impacts of climate change.