Meghan Hodges
China and the United States are the world's two largest polluters, accounting for 27% and 11% of global greenhouse gas emissions, respectively, in 2019. Both countries have taken steps to address climate change, with the US investing in renewable energy sources and China transitioning from an energy-intensive manufacturing economy. However, there is tension between the two nations regarding their environmental efforts, with the US criticizing China's lack of commitment and China accusing the US of being the largest exporter of plastic waste. As the top two polluters, cooperation between China and the US is crucial for tackling global warming and climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest emitter of carbon dioxide | China |
| CO2 emissions since 1850 | China: 284 billion tons; US: 509 billion tons |
| CO2 emissions from 1750 to 2018 | China: 210.20 billion tons; US: 404.77 billion tons |
| Annual CO2 emissions | China: 4.6 billion tons increase; US: 970 million tons decrease |
| CO2 emissions per person | US: 17.6 tons; China: 10.1 tons |
| Oil consumption | US: 20% of world's oil; China: 14% |
| Electric vehicles | US: 1 in 17 new cars sold in 2021 |
| Renewable energy | US: 21% of energy mix in 2021 |
| Coal consumption | China: more than rest of world combined |
| Soil pollution | China: 100,000 km2 of cultivated land polluted |
| Air pollution | China: major contributor to global emissions |
| Plastic waste | US: 17% of world's plastic waste |
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What You'll Learn
China's and US's contributions to global CO2 emissions
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters. In 2020, China accounted for about one-third of global CO2 emissions, while the US produced 13%. China's annual per capita emissions have surpassed Europe's every year since 2013 and are projected to continue doing so for decades. China's annual emissions are rising, and US emissions are falling. From 2005 to 2020, US carbon dioxide emissions fell by 970 million metric tons, while China's increased by 4.6 billion metric tons.
China's economy is smaller than that of the US, and it has industrialized relatively recently. However, China's rapid economic growth has led to a voracious energy appetite, with almost 90% of its energy coming from coal, natural gas, and oil. China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined. In 2021, China was responsible for more than half of the world's development of new coal power. China's coal power capacity in 2022 was six times larger than the rest of the world's combined.
The US, on the other hand, has been industrializing for a much longer period and has emitted nearly twice as much carbon dioxide as China since 1850: 509 billion tons compared to China's 284 billion tons. The US also consumes 20% of the world's oil, compared to China's 14%. The US has not built a new coal plant since 2013 and has seen a 40% decline in coal-fired power generation over the last decade. The US population is also much smaller than China's, with 337 million people compared to China's 1.43 billion.
Both countries are taking steps to address climate change. The US has shifted from coal to natural gas and is investing in renewable energy sources. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the US plans to invest $370 billion over ten years into wind, solar, green hydrogen, nuclear energy, and other non-fossil fuel power sources. One in 17 new cars sold in the US in 2022 was electric. China is leading the world in renewable energy generation, spending nearly half the global total in 2022 on "low-carbon energy transition." However, China also continues to build coal-fired plants, and its economic growth may be incompatible with limiting emissions.
The US and China's efforts to reduce emissions are crucial, as they have the most significant historical contributions to global warming. Their actions will significantly impact the world's ability to stay within safe limits of global warming.
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China's and US's energy consumption
China and the US are the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters and the largest and second-largest consumers of primary energy, respectively. China's primary energy mix has shifted from coal to natural gas and renewable sources, with renewables now accounting for around 17% of its energy consumption. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing twice as much CO2 each year as the US. China's annual emissions are rising, while US emissions are falling. From 2005 to 2020, US carbon dioxide emissions fell by 970 million metric tons, while China's increased by 4.6 billion metric tons. China is forecast to account for almost half of global distributed PV growth and is set to lead global growth in biofuel production.
The US consumes 20% of the world's oil, while China consumes about 14%. The US is also a top oil exporter, while China imports most of its oil. The US has seen a shift from coal to natural gas, which has helped lower greenhouse gas emissions. Natural gas now accounts for about 30% of energy use in the US, while in China, it accounts for 9%. In 2021, wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and other forms of renewable power accounted for 21% of the US energy mix. The US is poised to invest $370 billion over ten years into wind, solar, green hydrogen, nuclear energy, and other non-fossil fuel power.
While China's emissions are higher, the average Chinese person uses far less energy than the average American, with Americans emitting twice as much carbon dioxide per person as Chinese people. China's government is pushing for emissions reductions and improved air quality by transitioning to gas in industrial and residential sectors. However, China's coal fleet is highly efficient and ten times larger than its gas-fired fleet. China is the world's largest consumer of illegal timber products, and the largest contributor to marine plastic debris, producing an estimated one-third of the world's plastic waste.
The US and China have both been criticised for their lack of commitment to addressing climate change. There is tension between the two countries on issues related to climate change and the environment, with each issuing reports detailing the other's environmental "abuses". Despite these tensions, John Kerry, President Biden's climate envoy, has held talks with Chinese officials aimed at finding ways to work together on climate change.
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China's and US's efforts to reduce emissions
China and the US are the world's largest greenhouse gas emitters, and also the world's green tech powerhouses. If they can agree to speed up plans to cut greenhouse gas emissions, it could be consequential for the world's ability to stay within safe limits of global warming.
China's Efforts to Reduce Emissions
China has pledged to submit its 2035 Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) before COP30, for the first time covering all economic sectors and greenhouse gases, while reaffirming its commitment to climate action. China is the powerhouse of the global energy transition, supplying 80% of solar panels, 60% of wind turbines, and 75% of electric vehicles globally. Wind and solar power capacity is growing at a record pace, reaching over 1,400 GW in 2024, six years ahead of the 1,200 GW target. China is also on track to achieve its non-fossil energy share target of 25% without significant additional effort. China's transition to carbon neutrality is challenging, but the World Bank Group's Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR) indicates that the long-run economic costs will remain manageable. The report highlights the importance of the public and private sectors working together to address the challenge. To reach net-zero emissions by 2060, China needs between US$14-17 trillion in additional investments for green infrastructure and technology in the power and transport sectors alone.
US Efforts to Reduce Emissions
The US has made significant investments in clean energy and electric vehicles, while reducing its use of climate-polluting fossil fuels. In 2021, wind, solar, hydroelectric power, and other forms of renewable power accounted for 21% of the energy mix in the US. One in 17 new cars sold last year was electric. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the US is poised to invest $370 billion over 10 years into wind, solar, green hydrogen, nuclear energy, and other non-fossil fuel power. The US has also shifted from coal to natural gas, a cheaper and less polluting resource, with a 40% decline in coal-fired power generation over the last decade. The US has not built a new coal plant since 2013. However, the US government's emissions reduction targets for the buildings sector are not aligned with the Paris Agreement, and the agriculture sector lacks a clear decarbonization objective. Under the Biden Administration, the US pledged to cut emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030 and to stop new emissions by 2050.
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China's and US's plastic waste exports
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing more than twice as much as the US annually. However, the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide per person as China. The US also consumes 20% of the world's oil, compared to China's 14%.
China and the US have a complex relationship when it comes to plastic waste exports. Historically, China was the world's largest importer of plastic waste, taking in about 55.7% of the world's plastic waste. The US was one of the top exporters to China, shipping about 7 million tons of plastic waste to China each year. This arrangement benefited both countries, as Chinese businesses had access to cheap raw materials, while the US had a cost-effective way of dealing with its trash.
However, in 2018, China implemented a strict import ban on plastic waste, causing significant repercussions for the global recycling industry. The US was forced to find alternative ways to manage its plastic waste, leading to a decrease in US exports of plastic waste. There was also a shift in exports to other Southeast Asian countries, such as Thailand and Malaysia, but these were reduced in 2018 when these countries also cut back on imports.
The impact of China's import ban on the global plastic waste trade flow is expected to have positive environmental consequences, as it will force Western countries to develop their own waste management systems. However, it has also highlighted the overreliance of some countries on China for waste management and the need for a more sustainable approach to plastic waste treatment.
While China's ban on plastic waste imports has had a significant impact on global recycling and waste management, it is important to note that the US and other countries still produce more plastic waste per capita. China's large volume of plastic waste imports and exports are due to the sheer volume of goods it produces and trades internationally. Addressing the plastic waste crisis will require a collaborative effort between nations, with a focus on reducing waste generation and improving recycling infrastructure.
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China's and US's air pollution standards
China's air quality standards include different timelines for metropolitan areas, addressing pollution as a pressing issue. The standards are divided into classes: Class 1 applies to special regions like national parks, and Class 2 to all other areas. Ambient air quality has been regulated since 1982, with initial limits set for TSP (Total Suspended Particulates), SO2, NO2, lead, and BaP (Benzo(a)pyrene). These standards were amended in 1996 and 2000, with the latter update reducing limits for certain pollutants. In 2012, China released a new standard, GB 3095-2012, which set limits on PM2.5 for the first time. This standard was implemented nationwide by 2016, with key cities and regions required to adopt it earlier.
China's Air Pollution Prevention and Control Action Plan, issued in 2013, mandated PM2.5 and PM10 reductions in key cities and all other cities, respectively, by 2017. China's Air Quality Index (AQI) measures real-time, historical, and forecast PM2.5 and weather data. In 2019, China ranked as the 11th dirtiest country globally, with air pollution posing a significant threat to public health. Beijing residents experienced "Moderate" pollution levels for only two months in 2019, with the remaining months classified as "Unhealthy for Sensitive Groups" per World Health Organization guidelines.
The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), under the Clean Air Act, sets National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) for six principal pollutants ("criteria" air pollutants) harmful to public health and the environment. These standards are periodically reviewed and revised as needed. The six criteria air pollutants are further divided into two types of national ambient air quality standards: primary standards that protect public health, especially sensitive populations like asthmatics, children, and the elderly; and secondary standards that protect public welfare, including against decreased visibility and harm to animals, crops, vegetation, and buildings. The units of measure for the standards are parts per million (ppm), parts per billion (ppb), and micrograms per cubic meter of air (µg/m3).
While China's air pollution has global impacts, including on the US, the US's outsourcing of manufacturing to China has also contributed to air quality issues in both countries. Chinese pollution associated with producing goods for export has affected the US, with transport of this pollution contributing to non-compliance with US ozone standards in certain regions. The US EPA's standards aim to mitigate these impacts and protect public health and the environment.
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Frequently asked questions
The US consumes 20% of the world's oil and produces 17% of its plastic waste. It emitted 509 billion tons of carbon dioxide since 1850 and accounted for 13% of global CO2 emissions in 2020. The US is also a top oil exporter and the largest end-user of wood, which contributes to illegal logging in other parts of the world.
China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with its annual emissions being about double those of the US. It emitted 284 billion tons of carbon dioxide since 1850 and accounted for about one-third of global CO2 emissions in 2020. China is heavily reliant on coal power, with more than half of the world's coal plants. It is also the world's biggest producer of plastic items, contributing significantly to marine plastic waste.
The US emits twice as much carbon dioxide per person as China. The average Chinese person uses far less energy than the average American, with an annual carbon pollution of 10.1 tons compared to 17.6 tons in the US.
The US has shifted from coal to natural gas, with a 40% decline in coal-fired power generation over the last decade. Under the Inflation Reduction Act, the US plans to invest $370 billion over 10 years into wind, solar, green hydrogen, and other non-fossil fuel power. The US has also tightened laws on importing products made from illegally logged wood. China has spent $546 billion on a "low-carbon energy transition", including investments in renewable energy and electrified transport. It has also tightened laws to ban Chinese companies from trading in illegally sourced timber.
