U.S. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions decreased 2.7% in 2015
March 16, 2017
U.S. ENERGY-RELATED CARBON DIOXIDE EMISSIONS DECREASED 2.7% IN 2015
Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions decreased by 146 million metric tons (MMmt), from 5,405 MMmt in 2014 to 5,259 MMmt in 2015.
This decline occurred despite growth in real gross domestic product (GDP) of 2.6% as other factors more than offset the growth in GDP. These factors included:
A decline in the carbon intensity of the energy supply (CO2/British thermal units [Btu]) of 1.8%; and
A 3.4% decline in energy intensity (Btu/GDP).
With GDP growth of 2.6% and the overall carbon intensity of the economy (CO2/GDP) declining by about 5.2%, energy-related CO2 declined by 2.7%.
Energy-related CO2 emissions in 2015 were about 12% below 2005 levels.
Emissions have declined in 6 out of the past 10 years.
