CO2 emissions return to pre-pandemic levels

A new report projects global carbon emissions are set to rebound close to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

Steam rises from the cooling towers of a coal-fired power plant in Germany Source: Getty

Global carbon emissions are set to rebound close to pre-pandemic levels in 2021.

That's according to the 16th Global Carbon Budget report from the Global Carbon Project.

Data shows carbon emissions dropped by 5.4 per cent in 2020, largely due to COVID-19 lockdowns reducing the frequency of road and air travel.

But they're projected to increase by 4.9 per cent this year to 36.4 billion tonnes.