US GHG emissions rose 0.9% year-on-year in 2014 to 6.87 billion tonnes of CO2e, as carbon output from energy and transport increased, according to data released by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

“Relatively cool winter conditions led to an increase in fuels for the residential and commercial sectors for heating,” the EPA said.

“In 2014 there also was an increase in industrial production across multiple sectors resulting in slight increases in industrial sector emissions.”

The agency also said an increase in road transport sparked a hike in GHG emissions from that sector.

The increase was smaller than the 2.2% hike seen in 2013, and US emissions remain 7.5% lower than in 2005. Under the Paris Agreement the US has pledged to cut its emissions 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2025.

But compared to 1990 levels, US GHG emissions are up 7.7%, recording an average annual growth of 0.3% over the past 24 years.

By Stian Reklev – stian@carbon-pulse.com

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