The new version of the JRC EDGAR database 2023 has been published
The latest version of the JRC EDGAR database on global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, covering data from 1970 to 2023, has been released, providing insights into emission trends by country, sector, and emission types. This is essential data for adaptive planning built on critical thinking.
Key findings
Key findings from the dataset include:
- Global emissions rose by 1.91% year-on-year (YtY) in 2023, signaling a worsening climate outlook.
- EU27 emissions dropped by 7.48% YtY, though EU27’s (abs) reduction is matched by India’s rise in emissions.
- China’s emissions increased by 5.17% YtY, while India’s emissions grew by 6.06% YtY, reflecting continued growth in these major economies.
- The BRICS nations now account for 49.2% of global emissions, with their combined YtY growth equaling 33% of EU27 emissions.
- The top 25 emitting countries are responsible for 80% of global emissions in 2023, a number that has been decreasing since 2000, as smaller contributors become more significant.
- The BRICS group is represented in (Pareto group aka PSG), with +4.3% YtY growth.
- Only 4 EU27 countries in PSG: Germany, France, Italy, and Poland decreased emissions. The emissions of these 4 EU27 countries make up 44% of India’s total in 2023.
- International shipping and aviation continue to account for a small percentage of global emissions, currently at 2.37%.
- EU 27 emissions in the transport sector make up only 45% of US Transport emissions.
- Emissions from the buildings sector account for 7.1% of total emissions.
- Note: Unless stated otherwise, these are GHG emissions in Mt CO2e.
In summary, the report underscores the continued rise in emissions from key nations like China and India, while highlighting the EU’s significant but insufficient progress. The growing influence of BRICS on global emissions, without international pressure, could pose a challenge in achieving global climate goals.
Conclusion
In conclusion, according to Jan Rapan, Vice president at international Climate Adaptation Research Institute.
– China’s emissions continue to grow despite increased renewables, especially in the Power Industry (energy production) sector. Bad news.
– Despite the large share of EVs, China is growing with YtY emissions in the transport sector, even 13x more than the USA.
GHG emissions data best practices
Advice from Jan Rapan – When interpreting GHG emissions data, it is crucial to understand the methodology behind the numbers, as different models and dataset versions can yield significantly different results. For instance, the EDGAR v8 and v9 datasets show a notable difference in reported global emissions for 2022:
- EDGAR v8: 53,786 Mt CO2e
- EDGAR v9: 51,968 Mt CO2e
- Difference: -1.6% (823 Mt CO2)
This variation highlights the importance of avoiding direct comparisons between different versions or models. The methodology, assumptions, and data sources can vary, influencing the reported outcomes. Therefore, using consistent datasets is key to ensuring accurate analysis.
Additionally, data aggregators can sometimes oversimplify or distort complex data, leading to misleading conclusions. Relying on search engines or AI-driven summaries for GHG data, like “Global GHG emissions 2023,” may result in inaccuracies. To interpret emissions correctly, it is essential to use verified sources and understand the underlying modeling process behind the figures.
Source: The International Climate Adaptation Research Institute devotes attention to Adaptation, which can impact Mitigation.
