Global carbon dioxide emissions plateaued in 2025 at approximately 37 billion metric tons, according to the International Energy Agency's annual report. While the stabilization is encouraging, emission levels remain far above the trajectory needed to limit warming to 1.5°C.
The plateau is attributed to the rapid growth of renewable energy, which now provides 35% of global electricity, and the accelerating adoption of electric vehicles. However, these gains were partially offset by continued growth in natural gas consumption and industrial emissions.
The United States reduced emissions by 3% in 2025, driven by coal plant retirements and renewable energy expansion. China's emissions grew by just 0.5%, the slowest rate in decades, as its massive solar and wind installations begin to displace coal.
Climate scientists emphasize that a plateau is insufficient. Emissions must decline 7% annually to meet the Paris Agreement's 1.5°C target. Current policies put the world on track for approximately 2.5°C of warming by 2100, which would cause severe but not catastrophic climate impacts.
The gap between current trajectories and climate targets is driving investment in carbon capture technology, which has grown to a $10 billion annual industry. However, current capture capacity removes less than 0.1% of annual emissions.
