ISTANBUL

US greenhouse gas emissions rose for the first time in three years, driven by unusually cold early-2025 weather and increasing power demand from data centers and cryptocurrency activities, according to a new report on Tuesday.

The analysis published by the Rhodium Group found that although solar power expanded sharply last year, overall greenhouse gas emissions rose 2.4% after two years of decline, exceeding the pace of economic growth.

“Emissions also grew faster than the economy in 2025, with real GDP expanding by a projected 1.9% -- reversing the decoupling of emissions and economic activity of the prior two years,” the report said.

Emissions rose mainly due to the buildings and power sectors, as colder winter weather increased heating demand and fuel use, while higher gas prices and stronger electricity demand led to more coal-fired generation.

As a result, US coal use rose by 13% last year, while unusually low temperatures in early 2025 pushed overall fuel consumption nearly 7% higher than the previous year.

In other sectors, emissions changes were limited, with industrial emissions rising slightly due to higher activity and oil and gas emissions edging up with increased production.

Despite record travel levels, transportation emissions remained largely unchanged as hybrid and electric vehicle use continued to expand, the report said.

The report added that US emissions in 2025 were “not meaningfully impacted” by policies enacted by the Trump administration, though those changes could have growing effects in the coming years.