Global carbon emissions to peak

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♻️ This week’s sustainability news

Global carbon emissions projected to peak in 2024

What’s happening: Global carbon emissions will reach their highest point in 2024, and then they will start to decrease, according to a new report from the research firm DNV. The world is on track to cut greenhouse gas emissions in half by 2050. But that doesn't align with global climate goals. To prevent the planet from warming by more than 1.5 degrees Celsius, as agreed in the Paris Agreement to avoid severe climate change effects, we need to cut emissions in half by 2030. According to DNV, if things continue as they are, the atmosphere will warm by 2.2 degrees Celsius by the year 2100.

Why it’s happening: The world is starting to reduce emissions because many people are using solar power, batteries, and electric cars. These clean technologies are replacing fossil fuels. According to a recent forecast by the International Energy Agency, renewable energy might be used more than coal next year. Last year, the number of solar installations went up by 80 percent, helping the world use less coal for electricity. At the same time, battery prices fell by 14 percent, making solar energy even more attractive. With cheaper batteries, it's more affordable to store and use extra solar power generated during the day. China uses more coal and emits more CO2 than any other country, but it’s quickly adopting solar and wind energy. This means it will rely less on fossil fuels in the future, according to DNV. Gasoline use in China is also going down from its highest point in 2023 because the country is using more electric vehicles, which accounted for a third of new car registrations last year.

Why it’s important: The report indicates that the world is on the right track, but needs to accelerate the pace of positive change to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement. Solar installations are set to break records again this year, and solar energy has been growing faster than experts expected. Even in DNV's report, they suggested that the growth in solar could be even faster than predicted. That could help move the needle in the right direction, but it’s also important to focus on policy changes, like emission reduction mandates, government incentives, and carbon pricing, to help reduce emissions even faster and hopefully limit warming to less than 2.2 degrees Celcius.

Qantas accused of misleading customers on the environment

What’s happening: The research and advocacy group Climate Integrity, along with the Environmental Defenders Office, have filed a complaint against Qantas. They want an investigation into the airline's claims about being environmentally friendly and sustainable.

Why it’s happening: Australian regulators want to stop companies from making false or misleading claims about being environmentally friendly, otherwise known as ‘greenwashing’. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) has made this a top priority for 2024. Earlier this year, Dutch airline KLM faced legal trouble in the Netherlands for misleading customers with unclear environmental claims. Climate Integrity says that Qantas is doing a similar thing.

Why it’s important: Qantas is the biggest airline in Australia. In 2024, it produced over 17 million tonnes of CO₂ worldwide, which is about 4% of Australia's yearly carbon emissions. That's the same as the emissions from about one million typical Australian homes in a year. Even though the company is a heavy polluter, it says it’s dedicated to reaching zero emissions by 2050 and wants to "safeguard the future of travel for the next generation." Qantas offers passengers the 'Fly Carbon Neutral program', which allows people to tick a box during the booking process to ‘offset emissions’ for the flight. Climate Integrity said in its complaint that this option was "likely to mislead consumers into thinking that their flight is 'sustainable' and/or makes no significant contribution to climate change". Climate Integrity also claims that Qantas and the aviation industry are deliberately using confusing language and images about sustainability to make people think it's okay for the aviation industry to expand. Aviation is responsible for about 2.5% of global carbon emissions, and the demand for air travel is expected to increase quickly by 2030. The carbon intensity of aviation fuel has remained largely the same since 1990, according to Our World in Data. Court cases can help raise consumer awareness about the impact of flying and force the aviation industry to make investments in real change to curb carbon emissions.

📖 Read the full article: Qantas accused of greenwashing as climate advocates lodge complaint over sustainability, net zero claims

🌐 Travel to Sweden

Visit the city of Malmö

The 12 best things to do: Read our new article to learn everything an insider recommends to make the most of your visit, including picturesque cobble-lined streets and squares, beautiful parks, intriguing historic sites, and delicious plant-based food.

😇 People doing great things

Increasing vegan meals at Californian schools

Led by environmentally aware students: A recent report by Friends of the Earth, an environmental nonprofit, shows that over half (56%) of California's 25 largest school districts now offer daily vegan options for middle and high school students. This is a big increase from 36 percent in 2019. For elementary schools, the number of districts offering weekly vegan options has grown from 16 percent to 60 percent in the past five years. Most Gen Z, about 79%, are willing to eat meatless meals once or twice a week, according to a past study by Aramark, a company that provides food services to schools and universities. Another food service company recently launched an all-vegetarian menu in the San Francisco Unified School District, saying that students pushed for less meat in their cafeterias. The menu offers four vegan choices: an edamame teriyaki bowl, a bean burrito bowl, a taco bowl with pea-based meat, and marinara pasta. Raising animals for meat has a big impact on the climate and environment. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, livestock farming is responsible for 12% of the world's greenhouse gas emissions. Cows and similar animals produce a lot of methane, a harmful gas. Animal farming also uses a lot of water and land. Cutting down on meat and dairy consumption, especially in wealthy countries, can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and slow down global warming.

⭐️ Weekly inspiration

Lead to be removed from all water pipes in the US

Particularly important issue for underserved communities: The Biden administration has completed a new rule that will require water companies to replace almost all lead pipes in the country within 10 years, aiming to address a serious health risk especially for babies and children.

Columbia launches massive investment portfolio

To fund transition to a clean climate environment: The new investment portfolio will be used to move away from fossil fuels and deal with climate change, with the country hoping this plan will bring in about $40 billion according to a spokesperson from the environment ministry.

US university requires graduates take climate course

UC San Diego adds prerequisite: About 7,000 students starting this autumn must take a course integrated in existing classwork that covers at least 30% climate-related content and addresses two of four areas, from scientific foundations, human impacts, mitigation strategies, and project-based learning.

Recycling old cables could provide much needed copper

Can be used in green technology: Copper worth hundreds of millions of pounds found in unused or discarded electronics could help meet the increasing demand for the metal, according to new research, with UK households estimated to contain more than 38,000 tonnes of copper alone, worth around £266 million.

Trial to begin with solar panels on railway tracks

Three-year project to start in 2025: Swiss start-up Sun-Ways has been given the green light to begin rolling out solar panels like carpet on railway tracks in Switzerland in a world-first; the panels will withstand trains rolling above them, can be removed when the tracks require maintenance or works, and will feed electricity into the power grid for homes.

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