2005 U.S. CO2 emissions unchanged, CO2 intensity declines 24% between 1990 and 2005. Surprise. Surprise.
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 0.1 percent in 2005, from 5,903 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMTCO2) in 2004 to 5,909 MMTCO2 in 2005, according to preliminary estimates released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). The 2005 emissions increase was the third smallest during the 1990 to 2005 period, exceeding only the emissions declines recorded in 1991 and 2001.
While the economy grew by 3.5 percent between 2004 and 2005, energy demand fell by 0.5 percent. The inflation-adjusted price of motor gasoline rose 19 percent, and the price of residential natural gas rose 16 percent. These price increases in oil and gas helped contribute to the overall drop in energy demand.
U.S. carbon dioxide intensity (energy-related carbon dioxide emissions per unit of economic output) fell by 3.3 percent in 2005. From 1990 to 2005, the carbon dioxide intensity of the economy fell by 24.3 percent. By 2004 (the latest year of data for all greenhouse gases), carbon dioxide intensity had fallen by 21.8 percent and emissions of total greenhouse gases per dollar of GDP had fallen by 23.4 percent. The 3.3-percent drop in carbon dioxide intensity of the economy in 2005 is greater than the average reduction of 1.8 percent per year experienced since 1990.
The complete press release (below) gives a greater breakdown of emissions from various sectors.
While the aim is to reduce emissions, we are not doing too bad, considering the official policy, thanks to the increase in fuel prices
U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Fossil Fuels Virtually Unchanged in 2005 as Price Increases Dampen Energy Demand, EIA press release, June 28
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