Global CO2 emissions have risen for the first time in three years as scientists warn Australia's 2030 Paris agreement target is slipping out of reach.

Key points: Three-year emissions pause linked to reduced coal burning in China

Three-year emissions pause linked to reduced coal burning in China Emissions likely to hit 37 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2017

Emissions likely to hit 37 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2017 Australia's emissions still increasing despite Paris 2030 target

In a report published on Monday, researchers say the increase in global emissions is largely due to growth in coal-fired electricity generation and oil and gas consumption in China.

Global Carbon Project (GCP) executive director and report co-author Dr Pep Canadell said the increase is likely to be about 2 per cent on 2016 levels.

"That takes us to a new record high of almost 37 billion tonnes of CO2 [per annum]," Dr Canadell said.

The GCP is a collaboration between international science organisations to monitor global carbon emissions and their sources in order to help "slow the rate of increase of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere".

In the paper published in Environmental Research Letters, the researchers said the three-year pause in emissions growth was due to an increased uptake of renewable-energy technologies and a reduction in China's coal consumption.

Although pauses have been observed prior to 2014-16, Dr Canadell said these were typically correlated with global economic downturns such as during the global financial crisis.



"The past three years — '14, '15, '16 — were quite exceptional in so far as that in the whole record, it's the first time that we saw emissions not growing at the same time as the global economy was growing quite strongly," he said.

Worldwide, 21 countries, including the US, Denmark and France, have reduced CO2 emissions over the past 10 years whilst achieving positive economic growth.

Paris climate target slipping further from reach

Australia may see a dip in emissions due to Hazelwood closure. ( ABC Gippsland: Nicole Asher )

Data from the Department of Environment and Energy shows Australia's emissions have been increasing since 2013.

Director of the ANU Centre for Climate, Economics and Policy, Professor Frank Jotzo, said the possibility of achieving Australia's 2030 Paris climate target is slipping further from reach.

Australia has committed to reducing emissions to 26-28 per cent on 2005 levels by 2030.

"To meet Paris we'd need to cut [emissions by] 18 to 20 per cent compared to current levels — which equals a 1.5 to 1.7 per cent reduction per year," Professor Jotzo said.

"Of course, each and every year that national greenhouse gas emissions stay constant or in fact increase is a lost year for fulfilling that task."

Dr Canadell is also concerned that Australia is running out of time to reverse the emissions trajectory.

"Every year that we delay, there is the penalty of a much higher emission reduction that is required [to meet the Paris agreement]," he said.

Although Professor Jotzo said there is a chance that Australia's 2017 emissions may show a slight decline due to the closing of the Hazelwood power station, this will likely be offset by a higher sales of petrol during the same period.