Record Global Emissions Alert! Is Earth's 1.5°C Climate Goal Now Out of Reach?

Environment

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Updated on 13 Nov 2025, 03:18 pm

A critical report launched at COP30 reveals global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are on an upward trajectory, moving away from Paris Agreement goals. Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach an unprecedented 38.1 billion tonnes in 2025, a 1.1% increase from 2024. This trend severely threatens the target of limiting global temperature rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels, with the remaining carbon budget potentially exhausted in about four years at current emission rates.

India contributes 3.2 billion tonnes of GHG volume. While its emissions are still growing, the report notes a declining growth rate, primarily due to a strong emphasis on solar power production. This shift has led to reduced coal consumption, especially aided by cooler weather demands. India's emissions are projected to rise by 1.4% in 2025, a slower pace than recent years.

China remains the largest emitter with 12.3 billion tonnes projected for 2025, followed by the United States (5 billion tonnes). The US is expected to see a 1.9% increase in GHG production in 2025.

Lead study author Pierre Friedlingstein stated that keeping warming below 1.5°C is "no longer plausible." Corinne Le Quéré noted that 35 countries are successfully reducing emissions while growing economies.

Impact: This news significantly impacts the Indian stock market by signaling potential policy shifts towards cleaner energy. It could drive investment and growth in renewable energy sectors (like solar, wind) while potentially putting pressure on fossil fuel industries (coal, oil, gas). Companies heavily reliant on coal power or with high carbon footprints may face increased regulatory scrutiny and operational challenges. Investors may re-evaluate portfolios to align with sustainability goals and carbon reduction mandates. Rating: 6/10.

Difficult Terms: Greenhouse gas (GHG): Gases in Earth's atmosphere that trap heat, contributing to global warming (e.g., carbon dioxide, methane). Paris Agreement: A landmark international treaty adopted in 2015 under the UNFCCC to combat climate change by limiting global warming. COP30: The 30th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, a major annual summit for climate talks. Global Carbon Budget: An accounting of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions that can be released into the atmosphere while keeping the probability of limiting global warming to a specific level (e.g., 1.5°C) at a certain percentage. Fossil fuel: Natural fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, formed in the geological past from the remains of living organisms. Per capita generation: The amount of something (like emissions) produced per person in a population. CO2: Carbon dioxide, a primary greenhouse gas. Pre-industrial era: The period before large-scale industrialization, typically considered before 1750, used as a baseline for climate change measurements.