CO2 emissions are expected to be higher in 2013 than 2012

The United States energy-related CO2 emissions are expected to be 2% higher in 2013 than in 2012 according to a new report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration

This is the first time emissions have increased with the preceding year since 2010. From 2005 to 2013, emission from energy activities declined (four out of six of those years) but the EIA attributes those to energy-economic factors.  One of those factors includes high energy prices over the past four years, with the exception starting in 2010 of natural gas.

If we compare 2005 levels with 2013 emissions, energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by about 10%. This is a significant contribution according to the EIA in reaching the goal of a 17% reduction by 2020. This goal was adopted by the current administration.

According to the EIA’s graph below, CO2 emissions from petroleum and coal have been declining since 2005. Natural Gas’s CO2 emissions have gone up 20% since then.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration