Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in December of last year were 2% higher than in December 2019, the International Energy Agency has stated. The rise in emissions after pandemic-induced lows throughout much of 2020 has been attributed to recovering economic activity and a lack of focus on making that recovery led by clean energy.

IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol said of the rebound in emissions that it is “a stark warning that not enough is being done to accelerate clean energy transitions worldwide. If governments don’t move quickly with the right energy policies, this could put at risk the world’s historic opportunity to make 2019 the definitive peak in global emissions.” In May, the IEA will publish a “comprehensive roadmap” for the energy sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2050.