Energy-Related CO2 Levels Falling, Lowest Since 1991

WASHINGTON, DC – In its latest Short-Term Energy Outlook, the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) forecasts year-over-year decreases in energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions through 2021. After decreasing by 2.1 percent last year, emissions will decrease by 2 percent this year and another 1.5 percent in 2021 for three consecutive years of declines. This comes after weather-related factors caused energy-related CO2 emissions to rise 2.9 percent in 2018. If the forecast holds, emissions will have declined in seven of the past ten years. In addition, emission levels will fall to their lowest levels since 1991. After a slight decline last year, EIA expects petroleum-related CO2 emissions to be flat this year and decline slightly in 2021. The transportation sector uses more than two-thirds of total U.S. petroleum consumption. Vehicle miles traveled (VMT) grow by nearly 1 percent every year during the forecast period. In the short term, increases in VMT are largely offset by increases in vehicle efficiency.