MAYBE THE LEFT WILL STOP HATING GROWTH?:

Global economic growth picked up pace slightly to 3.3% in 2014, according to the IMF, while the amount of CO2 released into the atmosphere remained at 2013 levels of 32.3 billion tonnes.

"This is both a very welcome surprise and a significant one," said IEA chief economist Fatih Birol. "For the first time, greenhouse gas emissions are decoupling from economic growth," he said.

The halt in emissions growth reflected changing patterns of energy consumption in China, including using less coal. The world's biggest polluter also relied more heavily on renewable sources, such as hydropower, solar and wind to generate electricity.

Air pollution has slashed the average life expectancy in China and dirty air has driven foreign executives out of the country.

Developed countries also reduced their emissions in 2014. The IEA said recent efforts to promote more sustainable growth -- such as improved energy efficiency and the use of renewables -- have helped weaken the link between economic growth and greenhouse gas emissions.

Follow @brothersjudd