LONDON (Reuters) - Global greenhouse gas emissions from energy use fell for the first time since 1998, as the economic recession slashed industrial production and fossil fuel consumption in most countries, BP said on Wednesday.
BP <:BP.LO:>s annual statistical review said global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels fell by 1.1 percent to 31.13 billion tonnes in 2009, down from a peak of 31.55 in 2008.
China, the world's biggest emitter, increased its emissions by 9.1 percent last year, further distancing itself from number two emitter the United States.
China emitted 7.52 billion tonnes, while U.S. emissions fell by 6.5 percent to 5.94 billion, the lowest level since 1995.
Japan had one of the biggest drops among industrialized nations with an 11.8 percent fall to 1.22 billion tonnes.
World oil consumption fell by 1.2 million barrels per day in 2009, the second consecutive annual decline and the largest volume since 1982, BP said.
(Reporting by Michael Szabo; Editing by James Jukwey)
