According to the International Energy Agency (IAEA), energy-related carbon dioxide emissions reached their highest levels in history last year as economies recovered from the coronavirus epidemic and rely heavily on coal.

The IEA found energy-related global CO2 emissions increased by 6% in 2021 to reach a record high of 36.3 billion metric tons. According to a Tuesday analysis by the Paris-based organization, coal consumption was the major driver of this growth.

“The recovery of energy demand in 2021 was compounded by adverse weather and energy market conditions – notably the spikes in natural gas prices – which led to more coal being burned despite renewable power generation registering its largest ever growth,” the IEA said.

Energy agency stated that its analysis was fuel-byfuel and region by region. It found that coal was the main contributor to more than 40% global CO2 emission growth last year. This record-breaking figure reached 15.3 billion tonnes.

According to the IEA, “CO2 emissions from natural gases rebounded strongly above their 2019 levels at 7.5 billion tons.” They also noted that oil’s CO2 emissions came in at 10.7 million metric tonnes. Because of “the small recovery in global transportation activity in 2021, mostly in the aviation industry,” oil’s emissions fell “significantly” below their pre-pandemic level.

The IEA stated that China had a large role in the rise of CO2 emissions. It stated that “the rebound in global CO2 emissions over pre-pandemic levels was largely driven by China” and had increased them by 750m tonnes between 2019-2021.

It stated that China’s total CO2 emissions had risen to above 11.9 billion tonnes in 2021, which accounts for 33% global total.

IEA observed that even though coal usage increased, renewables and nucleus managed to produce a greater share of electricity than fossil fuels. The IEA described the 8,000 terawatt hour generation based upon renewables as an “all-time high” last year.

Although coal is an important source, it can also have a significant impact on the environment.

U.S. Energy Information Administration provides a listing of the emissions from coal combustion. They include sulfur dioxide, carbon dioxide, particulates, and nitrogen oxides. Greenpeace has also described coal as “the most polluting and dirty way to produce energy.”

The IEA stated that it was clear now that the Covid-19 economic recovery had not been sustainable. “The world must now ensure that the global rebound in emissions in 2021 was a one-off – and that an accelerated energy transition contributes to global energy security and lower energy prices for consumers,” it said.

According to the IEA, the arduous task of achieving goals set out by the 2015 Paris Agreement as well as the more recent Glasgow Climate Pact is a daunting one. While many major countries are working to increase renewable energy capacities, most of the world is still heavily dependent on fossil fuels.

The Russian invasion in Ukraine has brought this grim reality to life. Russia was last year’s biggest supplier of oil and gas to the EU. according to Eurostat.

The European Commission is the executive branch of the EU. published what it called “an outline of a plan to make Europe independent from Russian fossil fuels well before”The end of the decade.  

Ursula von der Leyen the president of Commission, stated, “We have to become independent from Russian petroleum, coal, and gas.” We cannot depend on any supplier that explicitly threatens to harm us.

Following the IEA’s declaration that the EU was being considered, the Commission announced the same. should not enter into any new gas supply contracts with RussiaTo reduce dependence on Russian natural gases.