Global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry totaled 37.01 billion metric tons (GtCO₂) in 2023. Emissions are projected to have risen 1.08 percent in 2024 to reach a record high of 37.41 GtCO₂. Since 1990, global CO₂ emissions have increased by more than 60 percent. Who are the biggest emitters? The biggest contributor to global GHG emissions is China, followed by the United States. China wasn't always the world's biggest emitter, but rapid economic growth and industrialization in recent decades have seen emissions there soar. Since 1990, CO₂ emissions in China have increased by almost 450 percent. By comparison, U.S. CO₂ emissions have fallen by 6.1 percent. Nevertheless, the North American country remains the biggest carbon polluter in history. Global events cause emissions to drop The outbreak of COVID-19 caused global CO₂ emissions to plummet some 5.5 percent in 2020 as a result of lockdowns and other restrictions. However, this wasn't the only time in recent history when a major global event caused emissions reductions. For example, the global recession resulted in CO₂ levels to fall by almost two percent in 2009, while the recession in the early 1980s also had a notable impact on emissions. On a percentage basis, the largest annual reduction was at the end of the Second World War in 1945, when emissions decreased by 17 percent.

In 2023, China was the biggest carbon polluter in the world by far, having released 11.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). Although the U.S. was the second-biggest emitter, with 4.9 GtCO₂ in 2023, its CO₂ emissions have declined by 13 percent since 2010. By comparison, China’s CO₂ emissions have increased by more than 38 percent in the same period. Cumulative emissions Although China is currently the world's largest carbon polluter, the U.S. has released far more historical carbon dioxide emissions, at more than 400 GtCO₂ since 1750. The wide gap between the two countries is because China's emissions have mostly been produced in the past two decades. Combined, the U.S. and China account for roughly 40 percent of cumulative CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution began. Sources of emissions One of the largest sources of global CO₂ emissions is the power sector, with electricity produced by coal-fired power plants a significant contributor. In China, emissions from coal-fired electricity generation have soared since the turn of the century, and reached 5.2 GtCO₂ in 2023.

The global power industry was by far the biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2023, accounting for roughly ** percent. The transportation sector was responsible for the second-largest share of global CO₂ emissions that year, at just over ** percent. Growth of global power sector emissions Global power sector CO₂ emissions increased by *** percent in 2023 from the previous year. Emissions from the sector have risen by roughly ** percent since the turn of the century and now average more than ** billion metric tons (GtCO₂e) per year. Who is the largest power sector emitter? As the world’s largest electricity consumer, China is also the biggest contributor to global power sector emissions by far. In 2023, China produced more than *** GtCO₂ from electricity generation - the majority of which was produced by coal-fired power plants. That year, coal power accounted for more than one-third of global electricity generation.

The Asia-Pacific region is expected to remain the largest emitter of carbon dioxide over the coming decades. Forecasts show that emissions in the Asia-Pacific region could grow to 21.3 billion metric tons of CO2 (GtCO2) by 2030. Although emissions are expected to decline in the following years, they will remain well above 2020 levels by 2050. CO2 emissions in the Asia-Pacific region have increased massively since the 1960s, primarily driven by the economic growth of China. North America and Europe have historically been the two biggest polluters worldwide, but by emissions in these regions could be lower than Africa by 2050, should NDCs be achieved.

In 2023, global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes reached a record high of 37.8 billion metric tons (GtCO₂). Global CO₂ emissions are projected to have reached record levels in 2024. The world has pumped more than 1,800 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere since the industrial revolution began, though almost 45 percent has been produced since 2000. What is carbon dioxide? CO₂ is a colorless, naturally occurring gas that is released after people and animals inhale oxygen. It is a greenhouse gas, meaning it absorbs and releases thermal radiation which in turn creates the “greenhouse effect”. In addition to other greenhouse gases, CO₂ is also a major contributor to the ability of the Earth to maintain a habitable temperature. Without CO₂ and other greenhouse gases, Earth would be too cold to live on. However, while CO₂ alone is not a harmful gas, the abundance of it is what causes climate change. The increased use of electricity, transportation, and deforestation in human society have resulted in the increased emissions of CO₂, which in turn has seen a rise in earth’s temperature. In fact, around 70 percent of global warming since 1851 is attributable to CO₂ emissions from human activities. Who are the largest emitters worldwide? China is the biggest carbon polluter worldwide, having released almost 12 GtCO₂ in 2023. This was more than the combined emissions of the United States and India, the second and third-largest emitters that year, respectively.

Qatar has the highest per capita carbon dioxide emissions worldwide, at **** metric tons per person. Many countries in the Middle East had high levels emissions, especially when compared to countries in Africa. Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide Some of the Middle East’s largest oil producing countries, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia are among the world’s largest carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitters per capita. Countries such as the United States, Australia and Canada also show disproportionately high levels of emission per inhabitant. Despite a relatively low population for its size, Canada’s CO₂ emissions have recently surpassed *** million metric tons, and the country is now amongst the largest producers of CO₂ emissions worldwide. Rising emissions Global greenhouse gas emissions have been on the rise since the industrial revolution began approximately 200 years ago. Over the past half-century CO₂ emissions have skyrocketed, and climbed to a record high in recent years. Yet, emissions fell considerably in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, which caused disruptions to transportation and industrial activities.

Global per capita carbon dioxide emissions averaged 4.7 metric tons in 2023. This represented a slight increase in comparison to the previous year. Qatar has the largest per capita CO₂ emissions worldwide, at more than 37 metric tons per person.

Based on a business-as-usual trend, global carbon dioxide emissions are forecast to increase to some ***** billion metric tons in 2050, in comparison to **** billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2018. Carbon dioxide emissions reached its highest level in 2018 due to a strong economy and extreme weather conditions. Summers with heatwaves push air conditioning usage and harsher winters lead to more heating. A booming economy has a greater thirst for energy than one that is struggling or even in recession. Energy-related emissions The energy sector is one of the largest contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. Carbon dioxide is one of the primary gases that are emitted through burning fossil fuels. However, other emissions like sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and particulates may also be emitted, especially through burning coal. New coal plants in Asia have also pushed the growth in energy-related emissions. China is one of the largest emitters of energy-related emissions in the world. Despite the country’s move towards renewable energy sources, coal-fueled power still dominates its energy market. Despite efforts to reduce fossil fuel combustion, energy demand has still increased over recent years.

This statistic displays the distribution of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide as of 2015, based on select regions. As of this year, some six percent of the global carbon dioxide emissions originated from the Middle East. Carbon dioxide can be removed from the atmosphere through reforestation, soil improvements, and other carbon sinks.

The United States was the biggest emitter in history as of 2023, having released some *** billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) into the atmosphere since the birth of the industrial revolution. This accounted for roughly a quarter of all historical CO₂ produced from fossil fuels and industry. China is the second-largest contributor to historical emissions, having released over *** GtCO₂. CO₂ is a greenhouse gas and the main driver of climate change and rising temperatures. Regional emissions Europe had accounted for almost 100 percent of global cumulative CO₂ emissions produced between 1750 and 1850, with the United Kingdom the biggest contributor. However, the region's share of emissions shrank in the following decades as the U.S. emerged as a major industrial power. By 1950, the U.S.'s share of historical global CO₂ emissions had increased to ** percent, while Europe's had fallen to ** percent. China's contribution to historical emissions has soared Between 1750 and 1950, China had contributed less than one percent of total CO₂ emissions ever produced. However, soaring emissions in China in recent decades has seen the country's share of historical emissions rise to ** percent. This growth has been driven by China's rapid industrialization and its reliance on coal consumption for energy.

The Asia-Pacific region produced 18.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) from energy use in 2023. China's CO₂ emissions are by far the highest in the Asia-Pacific region, at more than 10 GtCO₂ per year. The second most polluting region in 2023 was North America, where 5.9 GtCO₂ were generated, the majority of which came from the U.S. Global CO₂ emissions growth Global CO₂ emissions from energy consumption have more than doubled since 1970, and reached a record high in 2023. The rise in emissions is mainly due to rapidly growing economies and increasing energy demand in developing regions. This is especially the case in the Asia-Pacific region, where emissions have almost tripled since the turn of the century. The Middle East has also seen a dramatic rise in emissions, going from producing the lowest CO₂ emissions worldwide in 1965, to the fourth-highest as of 2023. Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations The increased burning of fossil fuels - as well as deforestation and other human activities - has seen atmospheric CO₂ concentrations surge in recent decades. In 2023, global atmospheric concentrations of CO₂ reached a record high of 421.08 parts per million, which is roughly 50 percent higher than before the industrial revolution.

The power industry is the largest contributor to global fossil carbon dioxide emissions by far. In 2023, power industry emissions increased by 1.6 percent to a record high of 14.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). This accounted for roughly 38 percent of global CO₂ emissions. Where are power sector emissions highest? China is the world's biggest power sector emitter. In 2023, Chinese power plants, the majority of which are coal-fired, released 5.5 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere. China's power sector emissions have risen five-fold since 2000, owing to the country's rapid economic growth. In comparison, power sector emissions in the U.S. - the sector's biggest emitter at the turn of the century - have fallen by almost 30 percent since 2000. Emissions from coal combustion The power sector is a major source of emissions due to coal being the most used source for electricity generation worldwide. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, and emits roughly twice as much CO₂ as natural gas when combusted. Coal-fired power accounts for almost 70 percent of global power sector emissions.

Global carbon dioxide emissions from road transportation were highest in the United States in 2018. At 1.5 billion metric tons of CO2, U.S. road transportation emissions were roughly twice the volume of road transportation emissions produced in China that year. Transportation accounts for almost 30 percent of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. .

China's carbon dioxide emissions have risen more than fivefold since 1990, with the country accounting for around 34 percent of total global CO₂ emissions in 2023. In comparison, CO₂ emissions in the United Kingdom were almost 50 percent lower than in 1990. Why have emissions in the UK dropped? The UK achieved the biggest emissions reductions between 1990 and 2023 among the world's 20 biggest CO₂ emitters. Much of the UK’s emissions cuts are attributable to the country’s phase-out of coal-fired power and the shift toward natural gas and renewable energy sources. CO₂ emissions growth in developing countries While emissions in developed countries, including the UK, U.S. Japan, and Germany, have experienced overall reductions since 1990, those in developing regions have soared. For example, rapid economic development has seen annual CO₂ emissions in India increase almost fivefold since 1990 to around three billion metric tons, while those in Vietnam have grown almost 2,000 percent.

China was the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2023, accounting for over ** percent of total global emissions. The world's top four largest polluters were responsible for roughly ** percent of global CO₂ emissions in 2023. Cumulative emissions Although China currently emits the highest levels of CO₂ annually, it has emitted far less than the United States over the past three centuries. Since 1750, the United States has produced more than *** billion metric tons of cumulative carbon dioxide emissions. Global CO₂ emissions have increased dramatically since the birth of the Industrial Revolution, and in 2023 reached a record high. Which countries are reducing emissions? As of 2023, seven of the 20 biggest CO₂ emitters had recorded overall emissions reductions when compared to 1990 levels. The United Kingdom, for example, slashed its carbon emissions by almost ** percent between 1990 and 2023, while Germany recorded reductions of roughly ** percent. In comparison, many developing countries saw their emissions increase massively over the same period.

More than ***** billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) have been emitted into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change since 1850. The United States has contributed to roughly ** percent of this total, with nearly *** GtCO₂. This makes the U.S. the biggest historical emitter, by far. China ranks second overall, having produced *** GtCO₂ from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change.

Over the past two decades, many developing countries have experienced significant growth in per capita emissions. This is particularly the case in Asia. Fueled by rapid industrialization, per capita emissions in Vietnam have increased by almost 400 percent since 2000. Per capita emissions in China, India, and Indonesia have also increased substantially during this period. In comparison, per capita emissions in developed countries such as the United Kingdom have halved since 2000. Per capita emissions The growth in per capita emissions in China has coincided with the country becoming the world’s biggest emitter. However, despite the vast amounts of carbon dioxide China releases every year, its per capita emissions are far lower than in many other countries, at just eight metric tons per person. In comparison, the average American produces nearly 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year. This is three times higher than the average per capita emissions worldwide. Emissions in oil producing countries Per capita emissions are noticeably higher in oil producing countries. In the Middle East region, Qatar and Kuwait average more than 25 metric tons of CO₂ per inhabitant. People in more populous oil producing countries, such as Canada and Australia, average roughly 15 metric tons of carbon dioxide a year.

Over 50 percent of the world's carbon dioxide emissions in 2017 were concentrated in three regions: China, the United States, and the European Union. China was the largest carbon dioxide emitter in that year, accounting for 29 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions.

By the end of 2023, the United States had emitted more than 430 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) into the atmosphere from fossil fuels and industry since the Industrial Revolution began. By 1990, the U.S. had emitted roughly 250 GtCO₂. By comparison, China had produced 43 GtCO₂ during the same time frame. However, China's emissions have soared in recent decades due to rapid economic development, and by 2023 the country's cumulative emissions had reached roughly 273 GtCO₂. Combined, the United States and China have been responsible for almost 40 percent of global historical CO₂ emissions since 1750.

China accounted for 30 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2023, making it the world's largest emitter by far. The United States and India followed. Combined, these three countries were responsible for roughly half of the 53 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) emitted in 2023.