The world's burning of fossil fuels is set to release more planet-warming carbon dioxide than ever before this year, new figures show.
It is another sign that efforts to fight climate change by cutting emissions are moving far too slowly to meet international targets, as countries meet in Brazil for UN climate talks COP30.
But emissions have grown much less quickly over the past decade as renewables have taken off, providing hope that the world's warming trend can still be curbed.
Carbon emissions for 2025 are estimated to reach 38.1 billion tonnes of CO2, up 1.1% from 2024, highlighting the ongoing challenges in reducing fossil fuel dependence.
Nonetheless, a report from clean energy think tank Ember indicates that fossil fuel use in electricity generation has flatlined in 2025, largely thanks to the rapid growth of solar power. This signals a potential peak in global emissions, although the exact timing remains uncertain.
Emissions from the power sector, which is the largest emitting sector, are expected to plateau, suggesting a significant shift in energy production dynamics.
Experts acknowledge that while there are positive developments, global emissions need to decrease more rapidly to effectively combat climate change and achieve international goals.
