Global carbon emissions to jump 40 per cent by 2030 without action

Science News

May 28, 2009, 14:27 GMT

Washington - The level of carbon emissions emitted into the Earth's atmosphere will surge nearly 40 per cent by 2030 if governments can't force more limits on pollutants blamed for global warming, according to a US government report issued Wednesday. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) projected that energy consumption will increase 44 per cent between 2006 and 2030, mainly because of higher demands from the developing world. While the use of renewable energies that have less of an impact on climate change is expected to increase, the EIA said fossil fuels like oil and coal are still likely to remain a major part of the energy mix. The price of crude oil will average about 110 dollars per barrel by 2015 and 130 dollars per barrel by 2030, the EIA said. Oil is currently valued around 60 dollars per barrel. The report highlights the difficulties facing the international community as governments consider how to lower carbon dioxide emissions blamed for heating the planet. A much-anticipated climate conference in Copenhagen in December will try to place more stringent limits on global pollution. The EIA said carbon dioxide emissions will jump 39 per cent by 2030 without action by governments to halt the pollution that causes global warming, which scientists fear will cause a dangerous rise in sea levels, stronger storms and endanger thousands of species. A 2006 report by a panel of the world's top scientists - the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - urged governments to halt the rise in global emissions by 2015 and reduce them at least 50 per cent by 2050. About 94 per cent of the increase in energy consumption over the next two decades will come from developing countries, including major emerging powers like China, India and Brazil, the EIA said. But those developing countries are looking for wealthy nations to adopt tougher measures to combat their own pollution levels before they go further. The US Congress is currently considering legislation that would cut emissions 17 per cent by 2015 and 80 per cent by 2050. The European Union, which is already more energy efficient, is aiming to cut its own emissions another 20 per cent by 2020. The EIA said renewable fuels will make up 13 per cent of the global energy mix by 2030, as many economies shift to cleaner alternatives.