Emissions near ‘point of no return’ for global warming

CARBON dioxide emitted by energy use hit a record high last year, dimming prospects for limiting global warming to two degrees celsius, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said yesterday.

Breaching the 2ºC threshold sharply increases the risk of severe climate impacts, including flooding, storms, rising sea levels and species extinction, scientists have warned.

“Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2010 were the highest in history,” the Paris-based IEA said.