The chief economist of the International Energy Agency (IEA) has said in an interview with the Financial Times that global emissions of carbon dioxide did not rise in 2014 over 2013, despite the fact that the world economy continued to grow.

Fatih Birol described the findings, based on preliminary IEA data, as a surprise and good news for the prospects of a new, climate change agreement under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), in Paris in December this year.

The IEA said it will be publishing its findings in detail in a June 15 report which will help to advise governments what energy measures should be agreed at the Paris meeting.

The following full stories on Mr Birol's statement can be see in the Financial Times - Global carbon emissions stall in 2014 - and in the Business Spectator -  Unprecedented stall of global carbon emissions in 2014  (Note: subscriptions may be necessary to view these stories).

Stalling Emissions Good News but Much Greater Action Still Necessary

The goal of governments is an agreement where every country contributes now and into the future, based on national circumstances, to prevent global warming rising above 2C degrees, and to adapt societies to existing and future climate change.

If emissions are stalling in a period of global growth it is good news because it suggests that actions to switch to clean energy and reduce the use of power consumption through efficiency are starting to work. That means governments can feel real confidence that sustainable development policies and strong climate action together are the right way to go.

However, much greater action at much larger scale is still required. Climate science is clear that at current emissions levels the world remains on course to break well beyond the 2C degree limit. 

The world needs to achieve a three-part trajectory to successfully address climate change: peak global emissions as soon as possible, drive them rapidly down via a deep de-carbonization of the global economy and reach a climate neutral world in the second half of this century, where humans on balance add no further greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and healthy eco-systems absorb what remains.

Image: IEA