US Climate Emissions Rose 1.3% in 2022 But Trailed Economic Growth
Greenhouse gas emissions climbed in the US last year but not by as much as in 2021, suggesting the carbon intensity of the economy is declining, says the Rhodium Group.
The slight relative drop in 2022 emissions was largely due to electric utilities replacing coal with natural gas, the report says.
Photographer: Luke Sharrett/BloombergEmissions from heat-trapping greenhouses gases in the US inched up in 2022, but at a rate slower than overall economic growth, according to a new report by an independent energy research firm.
The fact that emissions climbed only 1.3% over 2021, compared to economic growth of 1.9% in the same period, suggests that the carbon intensity of the economy is declining, the Rhodium Group said in its annual sector-by-sector report of emissions. The report is based on preliminary economic and energy data from the US government that will be finalized later this year.