Fossil fuel emissions projected to fall in 2026

Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to fall slightly in 2026 because of renewable energy expansion and the oil price shock sparked by the Iran war, researchers said.

Emissions from burning oil, gas and coal are expected to drop by 0.4 percent in 2026, according to the Global Carbon Budget report, published as countries meet at the COP31 climate summit in Antalya, Turkey.

The report said fossil fuel emissions, the main drivers of climate change, rose by an average of 0.9 percent a year over the past decade and reached a record high in 2025.