{
  "id": 19292359,
  "title": "Fossil fuel emissions are expected to fall in 2026. Why aren’t climate experts celebrating?",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/fossil-fuel-emissions-are-expected-to-fall-in-2026-why-arent-climate",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-10T06:02:23.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Euronews",
    "slug": "euronews",
    "url": "https://www.euronews.com/2026/11/10/fossil-fuel-emissions-are-expected-to-fall-in-2026-why-arent-climate-experts-celebrating"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels are expected to decline in 2026, according to projections from the 2026 Global Carbon Budget. The anticipated reduction of 0.4 percent is attributed to the rapid expansion of renewable energy sources, amidst a backdrop of the Iran war energy crisis. Oil emissions are expected to decrease by 1.9 percent, while coal emissions may rise by 0.6 percent.\n\nProfessor Pierre Friedlingstein, director of the Global Carbon Budget Office, highlights that while the reduction in fossil CO2 emissions is encouraging, it is not a sustainable climate solution, as it is driven partly by geopolitical shocks. The total CO2 emissions for 2026 are projected to be 43.3 billion tonnes, up from 42.8 billion tonnes in 2025, due to a rise in emissions from land-use change, such as deforestation.\n\nExperts emphasize the need for further acceleration of renewables and electrification to peak and sustain a decline in global emissions. The UN Climate Change Executive Secretary, Simon Stiell, acknowledged the importance of electric and clean energy solutions during the COP31 climate talks, stating that efficient electrification is vital in addressing pollution and rising household costs.\n\nThe EU is projected to see the steepest decline in fossil emissions among major emitters, at 1.5 percent, while the U.S. is expected to follow with a 1.3 percent reduction, primarily due to a drop in coal emissions. China, despite producing 32 percent of global fossil emissions, is set to see a 0.9 percent decline in 2026, largely due to a steep decline in oil emissions and strong growth in renewable electricity generation. In contrast, India's emissions are projected to rise by 4.4 percent, exceeding its 3.5 percent average annual growth over the last decade.\n\nWhile the clean tech sector, including solar, wind, and electric vehicles, is making strides in offsetting global energy demand, progress remains slow. Between now and the end of 2028, 64 to 79 percent of emissions from new demand are projected to be offset by new solar, wind power, and electric vehicles. However, carbon removal efforts, such as reforestation and afforestation, currently offset less than 30 minutes of annual fossil emissions.",
  "summary": "Experts warn that a drop in emissions partly driven by conflict and trade disruptions is not sustainable in the long term.",
  "key_points": [
    "Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels expected to decline in 2026.",
    "Reduction attributed to renewable energy expansion and geopolitical factors.",
    "EU projected to see steepest fossil emission decline at 1.5 percent."
  ],
  "editors_take": "Relying on geopolitical energy crises to drive fossil fuel declines offers a fragile solution that fails to address the rising emissions from land-use changes and growing global energy demand.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Science News",
        "title": "Fossil fuel emissions are down in 2026. Green energy isn’t the reason",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/10/fossil-fuel-emissions-are-down-in-2026-green-energy-isnt-the-reason",
        "published": "2026-11-10T01:00:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}