Kiera Jefferson
China is the world's biggest emitter of carbon dioxide, but its per-capita emissions are lower than those of many other major economies. In 2022, per-capita carbon dioxide emissions in China reached eight metric tons per person, a significant increase from 1.9 metric tons in 1990. China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005, and while coal demand slowed in 2013, it returned to 2013 levels in 2019. China has implemented measures to reduce pollution, such as shifting homes from coal to gas heating and closing small coal-fired power plants near urban areas. In 2021, China began operating a national emission trading scheme (ETS), and it was one of the first major countries to ratify the Paris Agreement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Per capita carbon dioxide emissions in China | 8 metric tons per person in 2022 |
| Annual per capita CO2 emissions in China | 1.9 metric tons in 1990 |
| Per capita emissions rank | Lower than many other major economies; similar to Germany's, about half those of the US and one-third of Australia's |
| Per capita methane emissions | Not found |
| Per capita nitrous oxide emissions | Not found |
| Per capita energy-related CO2 emissions | Influenced by the structure of the economy and the energy system; higher in countries with carbon-intensive transportation, energy-intensive industries, and dependence on fossil fuels |
| National Emission Trading Scheme (ETS) | Introduced in July 2021, covering the electricity generation sector, which accounts for more than 40% of the country's energy-related CO2 emissions |
| Coal use | Doubled in the 10th five-year plan period (2001-2005); demand slowed to a temporary peak in 2013, with a period of decline until a return to 2013 levels in 2019 |
| Gas consumption | Increased fourfold between 2009 and 2022, with a share of 9.5% in the energy mix in 2022 |
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What You'll Learn
- China's per-capita emissions are higher than the global average
- China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005
- China's gas consumption increased fourfold between 2009 and 2022
- China's per-capita emissions are similar to Germany's and about half of the US's
- China's electricity generation sector accounts for 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions
China's per-capita emissions are higher than the global average
Additionally, China's economic structure and energy system influence its emissions output. Countries with a higher share of energy-intensive industries, such as steel or chemical production, tend to have greater per-capita emissions. China's industrial sector relies on burning fossil fuels to generate heat for industrial processes, including steel production. The manufacturing of cement, a carbon-intensive process, also contributes to China's emissions, although these emissions are not always included in energy-sector calculations.
Transportation is another factor influencing China's per-capita emissions. Countries with a higher reliance on carbon-intensive modes of transportation, such as driving and flying, tend to have higher per-capita emissions. While China has seen a rapid growth in electric vehicles (EVs), the majority of its transport emissions still come from cars that use oil-based fuels.
Agricultural activities also play a role in China's emissions. Agricultural land is a significant source of nitrous oxide emissions in China, accounting for almost 80% of total emissions of this gas from agriculture. With the growth of household income and a larger middle class, China's consumption of meat, particularly pork, has increased. Livestock farming and meat production contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, further impacting China's per-capita emissions.
To address these challenges, China has committed to tackling climate change and reducing emissions. The country was one of the first major countries to ratify the Paris Agreement, pledging to peak its CO2 emissions around 2030 and reach net-zero emissions by 2060. China has also set targets to lower CO2 intensity, increase the share of non-fossil fuels in energy consumption, and boost its forest stock volume. While China's per-capita emissions are currently higher than the global average, the country is taking steps to mitigate its environmental impact and contribute to global efforts to combat climate change.
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China's coal use doubled between 2001 and 2005
China is the world's largest consumer and producer of coal. In 2021, its coal consumption and production accounted for more than half of the world's total. China's coal use has been increasing over the years, with official estimates of coal production in 2000 being 39% higher than initially reported. Between 2001 and 2005, China's coal consumption and production likely increased, contributing to the country's high per-capita energy-related CO2 emissions.
China's per-capita carbon dioxide emissions reached eight metric tons per person in 2022, a significant increase from 1.9 metric tons in 1990. The burning of fossil fuels, including coal, is a major contributor to these emissions. While China has made pledges to reduce its coal consumption by 2030, it continues to build new coal mines and coal-fired power plants.
The country's 14th Five-Year Plan aims to strictly control coal use between 2021 and 2025, but the near-term trajectory for coal is complicated by supply security concerns and the intermittent nature of renewable sources. China's coal-fired power plants have also become more efficient over time, with the share of supercritical and ultra-supercritical plants increasing since 2005.
China's domestic coal output has more than doubled in the past decade, and its coal imports have increased significantly. In 2011, China became the world's top coal importer, sourcing coal from overseas suppliers as far away as Colombia and the United States. China's vast domestic coal reserves and increasing coal imports have impacted the global economy, geopolitics, and the environment.
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China's gas consumption increased fourfold between 2009 and 2022
In 2014, China's premier, Li Keqiang, declared a "war on pollution", which included initiatives to move households from coal to gas heating and to replace small coal-fired power plants near urban areas with larger, more efficient units located further away. As a result of these policies, China's gas consumption and production have increased significantly. Between 2010 and 2022, China's domestic natural gas production more than doubled from 8.9 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) to 20.5 Bcf/d, with annual growth of 7%. In 2022, China's natural gas consumption reached 35.1 Bcf/d, more than tripling from 10.4 Bcf/d in 2010.
However, despite this rapid growth in domestic production, China has become increasingly reliant on imports to meet the surging demand for natural gas. In 2021, natural gas imports accounted for 46% of China's total supply, increasing to 48% in 2023. In 2023, China became the world's largest importer of liquefied natural gas (LNG), with imports averaging 9.5 Bcf/d, a 13% increase from 2022. The top LNG suppliers to China in 2023 were Australia (34%), Qatar (23%), Russia (11%), and Malaysia (10%).
While China's shift towards natural gas has been touted as a way to reduce pollution, it is important to note that the burning of fossil fuels, including natural gas, is a significant contributor to climate change and global warming. China's per capita carbon dioxide emissions reached eight metric tons per person in 2022, a substantial increase from 1.9 metric tons in 1990.
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China's per-capita emissions are similar to Germany's and about half of the US's
In 2019, China's per-capita emissions were slightly higher than the global average but comparable to Germany's. China's emissions per capita have experienced significant growth over the past three decades, increasing from 1.9 metric tons in 1990 to 8 metric tons per person in 2022. China's emissions are heavily influenced by its agricultural activities and meat consumption. Agricultural land is a major source of nitrous oxide emissions, and with the growing middle class, meat consumption has also risen, contributing to increased emissions.
China has taken steps to address its emissions, such as setting guidelines to encourage lower meat consumption and pledging to reach net-zero emissions by 2060 with a peak no later than 2030. However, China's heavy reliance on coal power remains a challenge, as it currently operates more than half of the world's coal plants. China's efforts to reduce emissions are crucial in the global fight against climate change, and it was one of the first major countries to ratify the Paris Agreement.
While China's per-capita emissions are similar to Germany's, it's important to note that China's large population significantly impacts its overall emissions. China's per-capita emissions are lower than those of the US, but when multiplied by its population, the total emissions become a significant concern. China's economic development and energy choices play a crucial role in its emissions output, and addressing these factors is essential for the country to make substantial progress in reducing its environmental impact.
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China's electricity generation sector accounts for 40% of energy-related CO2 emissions
China's electricity generation sector accounts for 40% to 48% of energy-related CO2 emissions, according to various sources. The country's CO2 emissions were roughly 11.3 Gt in 2021, almost one-third of the global total. Of these emissions, 10.5 Gt were from the combustion of fossil fuels, mainly coal, and most of the rest were from cement manufacturing. China's CO2 emissions exceeded those of the United States, the European Union, and Japan combined.
Per capita carbon dioxide emissions in China reached a high of eight metric tons per person in 2022, a significant increase from 1.9 metric tons in 1990. The country's per capita emissions vary regionally, with the highest emissions coming from northern provinces, including Inner Mongolia, Ningxia, and Shanxi, which have many energy-intensive heavy industries and rely heavily on coal for heat and power.
China's electricity sector has the fourth-highest carbon intensity globally, at 582 grams of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour (gCO₂/kWh) in 2023. This intensity has decreased over the past two decades, thanks to a shift towards renewable energy sources. In 2025, power-sector emissions fell by 2% year-on-year, with clean power generation overtaking the growth in electricity demand and pushing down fossil fuel use.
China's energy transition efforts are evident, with the country being the leading investor in this area in 2023, allocating more than twice as much money towards green energy as the United States. As a result, China significantly decreased its carbon factor, becoming the only country among the top four economies to do so.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2022, per capita carbon dioxide emissions in China reached eight metric tons per person.
China's per capita emissions have experienced considerable growth over the past three decades, rising from 1.9 metric tons in 1990. Emissions began to increase rapidly in the early 2000s, with China's coal use doubling between 2001 and 2005.
In 2019, China's per capita emissions were slightly higher than the global average, similar to Germany's, about half those of the US, and one-third of Australia's. China's share of cumulative emissions since the Industrial Revolution is 11%, which is much smaller than that of the US (20%).
China has implemented several measures to reduce its per capita emissions, including shifting homes from coal to gas heating, closing small coal-fired power plants near urban areas, and operating a national emission trading scheme (ETS) since 2021. China also declared a "war on pollution" in 2014, releasing a five-year action plan on air pollution prevention and control.
The main sources of per capita emissions in China include the burning of fossil fuels, cement production, agricultural activities, and the use of synthetic and organic fertilizers. China's gas consumption has also increased significantly, with gas considered a "clean energy" source, despite concerns about its environmental impact.
