The last time global CO2 emissions dropped was after the 2008 recession, a time of negative economic growth. While pro-Capitalist economists have claimed the "decoupling" economic growth from emissions growth was possible, 2014-16 is the first time it's happened in modern history.
Indeed, both China and the USA have had negative growth in emissions during this period. China's emissions dropped 0.7 in 2015 and are expected to drop another 0.5 percent in 2016. The USA's emissions dropped 2.6 percent in 2015 and are anticipated to drop 1.7 percent in 2016.
There's much farther to go. The USA, for example, has to drop a total of 28 percent from 2015 levels by 2025 to meet its Paris Agreement goals.
But things are finally heading in the right direction. Soon, one hopes, world carbon emission will trend from flat to down, down, down.
Read more in this Think Progress article. Or dig into the source, the "Global Carbon Budget 2016" report.
