The Upside of Down: Economic Crisis Curbs CO2

C02 emissions from rich western countries went down by a record seven percent in 2009 due to the global recession, except of course in the US. Steep declines in western emissions were offset by sharp increases from India and China. Overall, CO2 emissions remained unchanged in 2009. It will be interesting to see what China has to say about emissions as it hosts an extra session on Climate Change at the next G20 meeting in Seoul, S. Korea. From the Guardian UK, July 1, 2010.

UPDATE: According to a report at The Oil Drum, China is set to consume half of the world's coal for its power plants in 2010. China is also the world's top producer of coal, so they are consuming what they produce. However, if they intend to be a leader in the global campaign for climate change in Seoul, they will have a lot of explaining to do.

"The figures will come as a relief to the world's rich countries which – the US aside – are legally committed to reducing emissions by a collective 5.2% on 1990 figures by 2012. As it stands, says the Dutch agency, they are now 10% below 1990 levels, well below the Kyoto target level."