Global carbon emissions dip 0.4% in 2026, but Iran war oil shock drives the drop, not climate policy
wapt.comA new study from the Global Carbon Project reports that global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels fell by 0.4% in 2026, reaching 42.2 billion tons. The drop is largely attributed to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz during the Iran war, which spiked oil prices and cut oil demand. Coal emissions actually rose 0.6%, while oil fell nearly 2% and natural gas dropped 0.3%. Experts caution that this is not a structural shift toward clean energy. Past dips during the 2009 recession and 2020 pandemic were followed by rebounds. However, some see signs that China's emissions may have peaked, with rapid growth in solar, wind, and electric vehicles. Overall, total CO2 emissions including land use changes rose 1% due to deforestation and peat fires, underscoring the need for comprehensive climate action.