Global CO2 Emissions to Grow at Slightly Slower Rate

Global carbon emissions from energy use will grow at 25 percent between 2013 and 2035, a slightly slower rate than previously estimated, BP said on Tuesday, but still above the rate scientists say would avoid the worst effects of climate change.

Emissions are expected to increase at an average rate of 1 percent per year from 2013 to 2035, but that remains well above the path recommended by scientists, BP said in its annual report Energy Outlook 2035.

Last year, BP said in its report that global carbon emissions from energy use would increase by 29 percent to 2035, or 1.1 percent a year.

The rate of growth has declined slightly because the share of natural gas and renewables in the energy mix is increasing and there energy intensity will decrease.

However, carbon emissions in 2035 will still be "nearly double the 1990 level," BP said.

World governments are currently working towards signing a global deal in Paris by the end of this year to curb the growth of emissions, which have been blamed for global warming.

Research last year showed that world emissions have to fall by more than 5 pct a year to limit global warming to within 2 degrees Celsius, a threshold scientists say would avoid the worst effects of climate change.

By Nina Chestney