Global efforts to reduce carbon dioxide emissions are being hindered by various factors, including the ongoing wars. According to scientists, carbon dioxide removal techniques only eliminated 2 million tonnes of CO2 last year, a negligible amount compared to the over 40 billion tonnes emitted by humans.
The growth of these techniques has stagnated. The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has also forecasted “a nearly universal dominance of above normal temperatures” in most parts of the globe from June to August.
Climate Change Impacts
The Pacific nation of Tuvalu is one of the countries most exposed to climate change, with rising seas, acidifying oceans, and tropical diseases posing significant threats. The country’s climate fund has been linked to fossil fuels.
In other parts of the world, countries are taking steps to reduce their reliance on fossil fuels. India has committed to increasing its clean energy capacity to 60% and reducing its emissions intensity by 47% by 2035. However, the country is still heavily reliant on coal, with thermal power accounting for 62% of its generation.
Energy Crisis and Renewables
The ongoing war in the Middle East has led to a surge in crude oil prices, which has resulted in increased demand for electric vehicles in Asia. The International Energy Agency (IEA) has stated that the energy crisis caused by the war could fuel a boom in renewables, leading to a change in the global energy system.
China’s BYD has seen a 19% fall in annual profit due to a slowdown in sales at home. However, the company had previously posted record profits in the first quarter of 2025. Japan is also exploring ways to reduce its dependence on China for rare earth minerals, with talks underway to develop recently discovered deep-sea rare earths with the US.
As the world continues to grapple with the challenges of climate change, India is still heavily reliant on coal, with thermal power accounting for 62% of its generation. The latest news on the Global Green Energy Transport and Technology Leaders Index indicates that wars are stalling carbon dioxide removal.
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