Energy News
ENERGY NEWS
The big emitters: the United States
Reuters Events SMR and Advanced Reactor 2025
The big emitters: the United States
By Lucie AUBOURG
Washington (AFP) Nov 29, 2023

The United States, the world's second largest emitter of greenhouse gases, has pledged to halve its emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels -- but so far is failing to stay on target, analysts say.

Here are some questions and answers about America's emissions and its climate plans:

- How much does the US emit? -

In 2021, the United States emitted 6.28 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent -- a measure of all greenhouse gases -- according to Climate Watch, citing data from the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research.

That makes it currently the second biggest emitter globally, behind China.

But, when historical emissions are factored in -- that is, cumulative emissions since 1850 -- the United States becomes the clear leader.

US emissions peaked in 2007 and have been falling ever since.

- Where do the emissions come from? -

Transportation is the largest contributor to US emissions, according to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), accounting for 28 percent of the country's greenhouse gases in 2021.

It is followed by electricity generation, which accounts for around a quarter of emissions.

After that comes: industry (23 percent), the commercial and residential sectors (13 percent), and finally agriculture (10 percent).

In 2022, around 60 percent of US electricity production came from gas- or coal-fired power plants, the highest emitters, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The remainder came from renewable energies (21.5 percent), and nuclear power (18 percent).

- What are America's climate targets? -

In 2021, US President Joe Biden pledged to reduce emissions by 50-52 percent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.

This target is part of the Paris Climate Agreement, and should enable the world's leading economy to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050.

For the energy sector specifically, Biden wants electricity production to reach carbon neutrality by 2035.

- Is the US on track? -

No, say experts -- though some progress is being made.

Biden's administration recently passed several laws with far-reaching consequences, including a major infrastructure modernization plan in 2021 which included, for example, the construction of a network of charging stations for electric vehicles.

Last year Biden also passed the "Inflation Reduction Act" (IRA), which brings $370 billion dedicated to the environment in the shape of an energy transition project designed to free up investment in clean energies.

The government has also taken regulatory action via the EPA -- such as plans to reduce methane emissions from the oil and gas industry, and to require certain power plants to capture the majority of their CO2 emissions by 2030.

But according to a recent report by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), these efforts are not enough: at this rate, the United States will not meet its 2030 emissions targets.

An analysis by the Rhodium Group earlier this year showed that those two major pieces of legislation Biden has passed will reduce emissions by 32-42 percent by 2030 -- still a long way from the 50 percent target.

The report says there is still a chance of meeting that target -- but it won't be easy, requiring further ambitious measures to be taken both at the federal level and within the states.

Related Links

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters
Tweet

RELATED CONTENT
The following news reports may link to other Space Media Network websites.
ENERGY NEWS
Brazil's Lula, man on a mission at COP28: take rich world to task
Brasilia (AFP) Nov 29, 2023
A year ago, then president-elect Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva got a hero's welcome at the UN climate talks, telling the world "Brazil is back" in the fight against global warming. Having largely delivered on his promise to curb the destruction of the crucial Amazon rainforest, now-President Lula heads to this year's edition of the talks on a mission: sell ambitious new plans to protect the world's forests, and get rich countries to do more in the climate fight. Since Lula, 78, took office for a thi ... read more

ENERGY NEWS
Banks could face rules on climate risk reporting

The big emitters: the United States

Brazil's Lula, man on a mission at COP28: take rich world to task

EU agreement on reducing industrial emissions

ENERGY NEWS
New study shows how universities are critical to emerging fusion industry

Glencore eyes options on battery recycling project

A novel approach to energy storage by University of Cordoba

Researchers aim to make cheaper fuel cells a reality

ENERGY NEWS
Wind and solar projects can profit from bitcoin mining

Winds of change? Bid to revive England's onshore sector

Drones to transport personnel and materials to offshore wind farms

Interior Secretary Haaland announces 15 clean energy projects in the West

ENERGY NEWS
Tripling renewable energy by 2030 'ambitious but doable'

China Targets Breakthrough in Space Solar Energy Transmission

Perovskite oxide promises breakthrough in clean energy device efficiency

Enact upgrades solar design software to significantly optimize design efficiency

ENERGY NEWS
Framatome to set up fuel fabrication facility in the UK

Europe's biggest nuclear reactor goes offline again

Framatome signs a services contract with EDF for Flamanville 3 Instrumentation and Control

Cernavoda set to become hub for Lutetium-177 production in Europe

ENERGY NEWS
Nigerians look to biofuel as cost of cooking gas soars

Chinese company gives leftover hotpot oil second life as jet fuel

Cheap and efficient ethanol catalyst from laser-melted nanoparticles

UK permits 'world-first' flight powered by sustainable fuels

ENERGY NEWS
Saudi works to boost oil demand despite climate pledges

Nations urged to phase out fossil fuels at UN climate talks

COP28 puts spotlight on state oil giants

COP28 president denies using climate talks to push oil deals

ENERGY NEWS
The 'rarely unified' blocs behind climate talks

Pope's moral force aims to 'tip' UN climate talks

Some farmers in drought-hit Iraq forced to reduce crops: NGO

Texas Republicans take aim at climate change in textbooks

Subscribe Free To Our Daily Newsletters




The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2024 - Space Media Network. All websites are published in Australia and are solely subject to Australian law and governed by Fair Use principals for news reporting and research purposes. AFP, UPI and IANS news wire stories are copyright Agence France-Presse, United Press International and Indo-Asia News Service. ESA news reports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additional copyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. All articles labeled "by Staff Writers" include reports supplied to Space Media Network by industry news wires, PR agencies, corporate press officers and the like. Such articles are individually curated and edited by Space Media Network staff on the basis of the report's information value to our industry and professional readership. Advertising does not imply endorsement, agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by Space Media Network on any Web page published or hosted by Space Media Network. General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) Statement Our advertisers use various cookies and the like to deliver the best ad banner available at one time. All network advertising suppliers have GDPR policies (Legitimate Interest) that conform with EU regulations for data collection. By using our websites you consent to cookie based advertising. If you do not agree with this then you must stop using the websites from May 25, 2018. Privacy Statement. Additional information can be found here at About Us.