U.S. greenhouse gas emissions stayed flat in 2024

Since peaking in 2004, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have been (bumpily) trending downward.

Tim Heaton | CC-BY-2.0

Preliminary estimates suggest that the United States’ overall greenhouse gas emissions went down by just 0.2% in 2024 from 2023 levels, according to a report released by Rhodium last week. 

The report found that most of the decrease in emissions was caused by lower industrial and oil and gas emissions. The decline in industrial emissions was primarily driven by low coal mining activity. Coal production fell by 12% in 2024, hitting its lowest level in decades. In 2024, wind and solar electricity generation surpassed coal for the first time.  

The decreases in industrial and oil emissions were unfortunately counteracted by increases in emissions from the transportation, electric power, and buildings sectors. After decreasing nearly 8% in 2023, electric power emissions increased by 0.2% in 2024 due to higher energy demand from residential buildings, driven by increased air conditioner use during summer heat waves. 

To prevent the most catastrophic impacts of climate change, the United States, and the globe as a whole, needs to dramatically reduce emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases. While it is encouraging that emissions did not rise in 2024, despite the economy growing by 2.7%, the U.S. will need to decrease emissions by a much more significant margin in order for the U.S. to meet its Paris Agreement target of reducing emissions to 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030. 

The 0.2% reduction in 2024 means emissions remain only 20% below 2005 levels. According to the report, in order to meet the Paris Agreement target the U.S. must maintain an ambitious 7.6% drop in emissions each year from 2025 through 2050. 

The steps we have been taking, like making investments in energy efficiency, transitioning to clean and reliable energy sources, switching over to zero-emissions vehicles, expanding public transportation, and moving from gas to clean electricity to heat our homes, are all helping move things in the right direction. It’s time to pick up the pace. 

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