IEA Report: Electric and Heat Generation Produced 41% of World's Carbon Emissions in 2009

In order to help leaders and policymakers prepare for the upcoming United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the International Energy Agency has released a document that contains highlights of a report it will release next month concerning CO₂ emissions from fuel combustion.

The report, CO₂ Emissions from Fuel Combustion 2011, shows that in 2009 global carbon dioxide emissions generated from fuel consumption in developed countries fell for the first time since 1990. However, the IEA was quick to point out the drop was most likely attributed to the recession that swept the Western world in 2008-2009; and the Agency anticipates "a large rebound" in its emissions data for 2010.

This expectation is consistent with data accumulated by the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency's (NOAA) Earth Systems Research Laboratory. In May, NOAA published research showing that carbon dioxide levels have reached the highest the laboratory has ever recorded in its 50 year history.

According to the IEA, China and the United States combined to produce 41% of the world's CO₂ emissions in 2009. The electricity and heat generation sector was the highest emitter of CO₂ -- responsible for 41% of the world's emissions, which when combined with the transport sector is equivalent to two thirds of global emissions. These levels are 58% higher than what the two sectors generated in 1990.

Although the United States has yet to ratify energy policy which will reduce carbon emissions, individual states have passed cabon legislation.  For example, California has enacted law AB 32, which aims to reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels.

Moving forward with this new energy policy, the California Air Resources Board (ARB) officially adopted a cap-and-trade program last week.  This will significantly help the state meet its mandate to reach 1990 levels by 2020. The program takes aim at the state's largest emitters -- which include the electric utilities.

Although the United States and China are the most important pieces to the carbon puzzle, there are other players involed.  Ten days ago Australia moved closer to realizing the country's first national carbon legislation after the House of Representatives passed a carbon tax package which will also affect the largest emitters.  The energy bill will have to pass through the Senate before it becomes law, but if it does, it will represent one of the most comprehensive carbon-reducing energy policies on the planet.

California and Australia's actions will likely be at the forefront of the debates at the UNFCCC meeting in Durban, South Africa, scheduled to begin November 28. Many environmentalists and climate change scientists saw 2010's conference as a failure since a legally binding treaty to reduce global emissions did not come to fruition, again.  Many are viewing Durban as increasingly important event.  The calls for a legally binding accord to cap emissions are expected to swell as the conference approaches.