According to a new report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, carbon emissions were slashed by a record 7% in 2009–a drop of 405 million metric tons. That’s the biggest percentage decline since such data collection began in 1949 — and the second consecutive year of declines.
Besides the recession, one of the biggest factors in the CO2 drop is the 4.3% drop in carbon intensity of the energy sector due to increased use of renewables and natural gas production efficiency improvements. Better vehicle fuel efficiency also played a part: According to the Department of Transportation the fuel economy of the US fleet has improved from 27 mpg in 2008 to 28.5 mpg in 2009.
(READ Full report in Fast Company)