Global CO2 emissions: annual increase halved in 2008

Very high oil prices together with a worldwide financial crisis have caused a halving of the annual increase in global emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel consumption and cement production. High energy prices and the recession have decreased oil consumption and slowed down increasing coal consumption. Emissions increased by 1.7% in 2008, against 3.3% in 2007. Since 2002, the average annual increase was almost 4%. Also the increased use of biofuels for road transport and wind energy for electricity generation had a noticeable and mitigating impact on CO2 emissions.