Developing countries driving CO2 increase

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BRUSSELS, Sept. 21 (UPI) -- CO2 emissions have risen globally despite reduced emissions by industrialized nations, as demand for energy rises among developing countries, researchers say.

A report by the European Commission Joint Research Center says increased energy efficiency, nuclear energy and the growing contribution of renewable energy have been overwhelmed by increasing demands for power and transport in developing countries, a center release said Wednesday.

Carbon dioxide, the main cause of global warming, increased by 45 percent between 1990 and 2010, the report said, reaching an all-time high of 33 billion tons in 2010.

The increase came despite emission reductions during the same period by industrialized countries, which will likely meet the collective Kyoto target of a 5.2 percent reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 2012.

Long-term global increases in CO2 emissions are led by power generation and road transport, the report concluded.