WASHINGTON (AP) — In a concerning trend, the United States has experienced a 2.4% rise in greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel consumption in 2025, marking a departure from the declining emissions seen in previous years, according to a study released by the Rhodium Group.
This increase is largely attributed to a colder winter, which led to higher heating demands, alongside the rapid expansion of data centers and cryptocurrency mining that increased electricity usage. Rising natural gas prices also contributed to the uptick in emissions, which scientists warn are critical drivers of worsening global warming.
In 2025, the U.S. emitted approximately 5.9 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent, reflecting an increase of 139 million tons from 2024, according to the study. This marked the first notable increase in emissions during a period where emissions had previously fallen by 20% from 2005 to 2024.
Ben King, study co-author, noted that the rise demonstrates a departure from the trend of decoupling economic growth from carbon pollution, as efforts to increase cleaner energy sources had pursued a decrease in emissions alongside GDP growth.
The cold winter increased the demand for heating, which often relies on fossil fuels, leading to a significant jump in coal power generation amidst rising natural gas costs. King indicated that while coal's resurgence isn't expected to dominate the energy sector, it played a significant role in the recent increase in pollution levels.
The Rhodium Group also pointed out that the Trump administration's environmental policy rollbacks have yet to show observable impacts within this data year. However, the effects of such policies could manifest in the coming years.
Experts have voiced concerns about the implications of this increase in emissions. University of Michigan environment dean Jonathan Overpeck warned that continued favoritism towards fossil fuels risks both economic stability and deteriorating air quality, while climate activist Bill McKibben criticized the actions as regressive and detrimental to climate efforts.
Despite the challenges, the report highlights a 34% increase in solar power generation, emphasizing remaining opportunities for advancing renewable energy against the backdrop of policy changes that could hinder these efforts.
