The country, which is the world’s largest carbon emitter, saw it emissions rise by approximately 9 per cent in the first half of the year before tapering off in the following months.
The analysis from the Helsinki-based Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) found that much of the savings were achieved through emission declines in fossil fuel and concrete usage.
Furthermore, the declining trend in the third quarter steepened into September – the first month during which monthly emissions returned to 2019 levels – and looks set to deepen further in October, based on preliminary data.
This analysis is based on official figures for the domestic production, import and export of fossil fuels and cement, as well as commercial data on changes in stocks of stored fuel. In the case of coal and natural gas, the growth rates are adjusted to match officially reported quarterly growth rates, when available.
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