EIA: US Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Down 1.7% in 2016; Carbon Intensity of Economy Down 3.1%; Transportation Emissions Up

US energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 89 million metric tons (MMmt), from 5,259 MMmt in 2015 to 5,170 MMmt in 2016.  Although real gross domestic product (GDP) increased 1.5% over that period, other factors contributing to energy-related CO2 emissions more than offset the growth in GDP, leading to a 1.7% decline in energy-related CO2, according to the latest report from the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).

These contributing factors included a decline in the carbon intensity of the energy supply (CO2/British thermal units [Btu]) of 1.7% along with a 1.4% decline in energy intensity of the economy (Btu/GDP).  Combining these two factors, the overall carbon intensity of the economy (CO2/GDP) declined by 3.1%.

Emissions have declined in 6 out of the past 10 years, and energy‐related CO2 emissions in 2016 were 823 MMmt (14%) below 2005 levels, according to the EIA.
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Transportation increase led by gasoline consumption.
The 2016 increase in energy‐related CO2 emissions from the transportation sector was led by motor gasoline consumption, according to EIA.

Since 2012, declines and the subsequent stability in the price of motor gasoline and other fuels, along with the continued economic recovery, have led to higher fuel consumption and increases in energy-related CO2 emissions in the transportation sector.  Transportation‐related CO2 emissions increased by 34 million metric tons (MMmt) (1.9%) in 2016.

Read more at EIA:  US Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Down 1.7% in 2016; Carbon Intensity of Economy Down 3.1%; Transportation Emissions Up