Helena Joyce
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters, accounting for a significant proportion of global carbon dioxide emissions. China is the largest annual emitter, with emissions more than doubling those of the US, which is the second-largest emitter. China's emissions have been rising, while US emissions have been falling. In this context, it is essential to examine the pollution levels produced by these two countries and their efforts to address climate change.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest annual emitter of CO2 | China |
| Annual CO2 emissions | China: 12.7 billion tons; US: 5.9 billion tons |
| CO2 emissions from 1750/1850 to 2018/2020 | China: 210.20/284 billion tons; US: 404.77/509 billion tons |
| Percentage of global CO2 emissions | China: 33%; US: 13% |
| Average annual carbon pollution per person | China: 10.1 tons; US: 17.6 tons |
| Oil consumption | US: 20% of world's oil; China: 14% |
| Coal consumption | China: More than the rest of the world combined |
| Natural gas usage | US: 30% of energy mix; China: 9% |
| Plastic production | China: 33% of world's total |
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![Presentation of NEDS emission data for air pollution studies / by Richard C. Haws. 1974 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/61IX47b4r9L._AC_UY218_.jpg)
What You'll Learn
- China's annual emissions are 12.7 billion metric tons, twice that of the US
- China's emissions have tripled in 3 decades, while US emissions fall
- China is the world's biggest consumer of illegal timber
- China is the world's biggest producer of plastic products
- China's per capita emissions are lower than the US
China's annual emissions are 12.7 billion metric tons, twice that of the US
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters, and their efforts to combat climate change are crucial for the world's ability to stay within safe limits of global warming. While China's annual emissions are 12.7 billion metric tons, about twice that of the US, the average Chinese person uses far less energy than the average American.
China's emissions have been increasing and are now responsible for more than 27% of total global emissions. In 2019, China's emissions exceeded those of the US and other developed nations combined, according to the Rhodium Group. China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019, while the US contributed 11%. China's emissions have more than tripled over the previous three decades, and its net emissions increased by roughly 1.7% in 2020, even as emissions from most other countries declined during the coronavirus pandemic.
The US, on the other hand, has seen a downward trend in carbon emissions in recent years as it moves away from coal towards natural gas and renewable energy sources. From 2005 to 2020, US carbon dioxide emissions fell by 970 million metric tons. The shift from coal to natural gas, which now accounts for about 30% of energy use in the US, has helped lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, there has been a 40% decline in coal-fired power generation in the US over the last decade.
While China's total emissions are significantly higher than those of the US, it is important to consider per capita emissions. The average Chinese person uses about 10.1 tons of carbon pollution annually, while the average American uses 17.6 tons. This highlights that while China's population is the largest in the world, its per-person emissions are still far behind those of the US.
The US and China have both made commitments to address climate change and reduce emissions. China has pledged to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030. The US, as a party to the 2015 Paris Agreement, aims to limit the increase in global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels. However, some critics argue that China is not doing its fair share to combat climate change, pointing to its role as the largest producer and exporter of plastic products and a major contributor to marine plastic debris.
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China's emissions have tripled in 3 decades, while US emissions fall
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters and have been working together to tackle the climate crisis. China emitted 27% of the world's greenhouse gases in 2019, while the US emitted 11%, according to the Rhodium Group. China's emissions have tripled over the past three decades, and while the US has seen a downward trend in emissions, it still has a higher historical emissions total than China.
China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing 12.7 billion metric tons of emissions annually, compared to the US, which emits about 5.9 billion tons per year. China's emissions growth has been fuelled by its consumption of fossil fuels, particularly coal, which has tripled in the last decade. However, China has also seen a historic expansion of low-carbon energy installations, with solar power installations in 2023 twice the total installed capacity in the US. China is the world's largest renewable energy producer and consumer, with its renewable power output nearly tripling between 2017 and 2022.
The US, on the other hand, has seen a decline in coal-fired power generation, with a 40% reduction over the last decade. The shift from coal to natural gas and renewable energy sources has contributed to the downward trend in US emissions. The average Chinese person uses less energy than the average American, with annual carbon pollution of 10.1 tons compared to 17.6 tons in the US.
China's emissions are projected to peak in the near future, with a growing number of experts agreeing that they may have already done so. China's climate targets do not yet reflect this, with current targets allowing emissions to increase by 10-15% from 2022 levels. China has vowed to reach net-zero emissions by 2060, with a peak no later than 2030.
Both China and the US have taken steps to address climate change, with the US sending President Biden's climate envoy, John Kerry, to meet with Chinese officials in 2023. The two countries issued joint climate statements in 2021 and 2023, agreeing to work together to tackle the climate crisis through actions such as reducing methane emissions, phasing down coal, and protecting forests.
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China is the world's biggest consumer of illegal timber
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters, with China being the biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing 12.7 billion metric tons of emissions annually, compared to the US's 5.9 billion tons. The US, however, has emitted almost twice as much carbon dioxide 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%.
China's booming economy has driven a demand for timber for construction and furniture. The country is the world's largest consumer of illegal timber, with the trade being worth about $4 billion a year. More than half of China's current supplies of raw timber material are sourced from countries with a high risk of illegal logging and poor forest governance. The Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA) estimates that China imported at least 18.5 million cubic meters of illegal logs and sawn timber in 2011, worth $3.7 billion. This illegal trade is having a dire impact on the forests of the Asia-Pacific region and local communities. In the Solomon Islands, for example, exports to China are seven times higher than the sustainable logging rate, with forests predicted to be emptied of commercial timber by 2015.
China's vast wood-processing industry is reliant on imports for most of its raw materials. This has led to accusations that the country is effectively exporting deforestation. China's appetite for timber is driving a growing illegal trade that is stripping forests in Africa and Asia and fuelling conflict. In Laos, rare rosewood logs can fetch $18,000 per cubic meter, and even more in neighboring countries, fueling clashes between loggers and authorities.
In response to these concerns, China tightened its laws in December 2019 to ban Chinese companies from trading in illegally sourced timber. China has also improved the management of its forestry sector, expanding forest plantation cover, and banning the harvesting of natural forests. However, it is not yet clear what impact these measures have had on illegally felled timber sourced from abroad.
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China is the world's biggest producer of plastic products
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters. China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing 12.7 billion metric tons of emissions annually. In comparison, the US emits about 5.9 billion tons of carbon dioxide per year. However, since 1850, the US has emitted almost twice as much carbon dioxide as China, with 509 billion tons of emissions compared to China's 284 billion tons. The US is also a top oil exporter and consumes 20% of the world's oil, compared to China's 14%.
China's massive local plastic production contributes to its high greenhouse gas emissions, mainly from coal production. China is the world's biggest producer of plastic products, accounting for about a third of the global plastic materials production in 2023. China's monthly plastic production ranges from six to 12 million metric tons, with the highest monthly output of 7.95 million metric tons recorded in December 2021. China's plastic export volume has been steadily increasing and now focuses more on technological innovation and eco-friendly concepts.
China is also the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste and is the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution. The Yangtze River, the longest river in Asia and the third-longest in the world, is believed to be a top source of plastic waste in the ocean. China's Environment Ministry reported a 27% rise in the amount of plastic waste found in its coastal waters in 2018.
China's contribution to plastic pollution is significant, and the country has taken aggressive strides to combat this exponentially growing problem. The government has implemented measures to phase out single-use plastics, cut plastic production, reduce plastic waste, and boost recycling efforts. China is also promoting plastic alternatives and clearing plastic waste from key lakes, rivers, and tourist attractions.
While China is the world's largest producer of plastic products, the US and other countries produce more per capita waste plastic. The US, with 4% of the world's population, generates 17% of its plastic waste. However, China and other Asian countries are major contributors to marine plastic waste, with about 80% of plastics in the ocean coming from land-based sources.
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China's per capita emissions are lower than the US
China and the US are the world's two largest polluters. China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing 12.7 billion metric tons of emissions annually. In comparison, the US emits about 5.9 billion tons annually. China's 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.
However, when it comes to per capita emissions, China's emissions are lower than those of the US. In 2019, China's per-capita emissions were slightly higher than the global average but similar to Germany's, about half those of the US, and one-third those of Australia's. The average Chinese person uses far less energy than the average American, with an annual carbon pollution average of 10.1 tons compared to 17.6 tons in the US. China's per capita emissions are also far behind those of the EU. While China's per capita emissions in 2024 were 227tCO2, the EU27's were 682tCO2.
The US has historically emitted more carbon dioxide than China. From 1750 until the end of 2018, the US produced 404.77 billion tons of CO2, while China produced 210.20 billion tons. The US has also emitted almost twice as much since 1850, releasing 509 billion tons compared to China's 284 billion tons. The US has a population of one-quarter the size of China's, yet its share of cumulative emissions since the Industrial Revolution is much higher at 20% compared to China's 11%.
In summary, while China's total emissions are higher than those of the US, its per capita emissions are lower. This is due to China's much larger population, with its citizens now having carbon footprints well above the global average. China's per capita emissions are also lower than those of other major economies, such as Germany and Australia. The US, on the other hand, has a higher per capita emission rate despite its efforts to reduce emissions in recent years.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing 12.7 billion metric tons of emissions annually. China's emissions are rising and currently stand at 27% of the world's total, exceeding those of the US and developed countries combined.
The US is the second-largest emitter of carbon dioxide, with 5.9 billion tons of emissions each year. US emissions are falling and currently stand at 11% of the world's total.
China's annual emissions are about double those of the US. The average Chinese person uses less energy than the average American, with 10.1 tons of carbon pollution annually compared to 17.6 tons in the US.
In China, coal accounted for over half of domestic energy generation in 2020. China also consumes about 14% of the world's oil and is the biggest producer and exporter of plastic products. In the US, natural gas now accounts for 30% of energy use, while oil consumption stands at 20% of the global total.
