For decades, industrial expansion was closely tied to rising fossil fuel consumption, creating concern that reducing carbon emissions might come at the cost of economic progress. However, recent findings challenge this long-held assumption. A study by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit, a London-based policy institute, reveals that economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions are increasingly moving in opposite directions across a significant portion of the global economy. n nThe analysis shows that 43 nations, including the United States and most European countries, have successfully separated GDP expansion from rising emissions. These economies collectively represent 46% of global economic output and account for 36% of worldwide emissions. Their consistent performance indicates a structural shift rather than a temporary trend. n nAn additional 40 countries, among them major emerging economies like China and India, continue to see emissions rise, yet their economic growth outpaces emission increases. This group contributes nearly half of global GDP, signaling improving efficiency even in developing industrial sectors. Their trajectory suggests accelerating progress toward lower-carbon development models. n nOnly 30 nations experienced emissions growth exceeding economic expansion, but their combined economic weight is minimal on the global stage. While total global emissions are still climbing, the rate of increase has slowed compared to ten years ago. Although full decarbonization remains a challenge, the data underscores a growing momentum: breaking the historical link between economic activity and pollution is no longer hypothetical—it is unfolding at scale. n
— News Original —nEmissions and economic growthnHistorically, growing industry and the economy meant burning more fossil fuels. As the world faces the prospect of needing to reduce carbon emissions, the worry is that it can’t cut emissions without cutting growth. But a new analysis by a London-based think tank has found that the opposite is happening. According to the analysis, breaking the link between economic growth and emissions is no longer just a theoretical possibility; it is happening at scale. n nA growing number of countries are achieving growth while they are cutting emissions. According to the analysis by the Energy & Climate Intelligence Unit think tank, 43 countries – including the U.S. and most of Europe – have decoupled economic growth from emissions. These countries are responsible for 46% of the global economy and 36% of global emissions. These 43 countries have become consistent decouplers. n nAnother 40 countries – which includes China and India – have continued to have increasing emissions, but even these have economies growing faster than emissions. These countries account for another 46% of the world economy. Their decoupling performance is increasing. n nFor the thirty other countries that were studied, emissions grew faster than their economies. However, these countries amount for a tiny share of the global economy. n nThe overall message is that the world is shifting toward decoupling emissions and economic growth. Unfortunately, global emissions are still rising, but more slowly than they did a decade ago. Climate change is a global problem so while at the individual country level there is real momentum with regard to decoupling, it needs to be a global phenomenon.