Meghan Hodges
China and the United States are the world's two largest polluters, with China being the largest emitter of carbon dioxide. China's pollution can be attributed to its use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth, with the country burning more coal than the rest of the world combined. However, the US consumes 20% of the world's oil, compared to China's 14%, and has historically emitted almost twice as much carbon dioxide as China. While China has made progress in reducing pollution, it still has a long way to go to match the US in terms of per capita emissions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| World's largest emitter of carbon dioxide | China |
| Largest emitter of carbon dioxide per capita | US |
| Total cumulative emissions | US |
| Plastic waste generation | China |
| Air pollution | China |
| Mercury air pollution | China |
| Overfishing and illegal fishing | China |
| Oil consumption | US |
| Coal consumption | China |
| Investment in low-carbon energy transition | China |
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What You'll Learn
China's carbon dioxide emissions
China and the United States are the world's two largest polluters and greenhouse gas emitters. China's struggles with air pollution have been well-documented, with many cities experiencing levels of pollution that are over twenty times the safe limit. China's heavy pollution levels can be attributed to its use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth. China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined.
Since 1850, China has emitted 284 billion tons of carbon dioxide, while the United States, which industrialized earlier, has released almost twice that amount: 509 billion tons of emissions. However, per person, the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide as China. The average Chinese person uses far less energy than the average American, with about 10.1 tons of carbon pollution annually compared to 17.6 tons in the US.
China has been criticized for not doing enough to combat climate change. However, China spent $546 billion on low-carbon energy transition in 2022, nearly half of the global total. China has also been experiencing a clean energy boom, with more wind turbines and solar panels installed in the country last year than in the rest of the world combined. Chinese companies are building electric vehicle and battery factories in multiple countries.
The United States has also taken steps to address climate change. Under the Obama administration, the US agreed to cut emissions by at least 26% below 2005 levels by 2025. President Biden strengthened this target, pledging to reduce emissions by 50-52% by the end of the decade and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The US has also seen a shift from coal to natural gas, which has helped lower greenhouse gas emissions. Additionally, the US is poised to invest $370 billion over ten years in wind, solar, green hydrogen, nuclear energy, and other non-fossil fuel power sources.
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US vs China: who pollutes more?
The United States and China are the world's two largest polluters and greenhouse gas emitters. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, releasing 284 billion tons of carbon dioxide since 1850. However, the United States, which industrialised earlier, has emitted almost twice that amount in the same period. Per person, the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide 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.
China's pollution levels have been well-documented, with many cities experiencing air pollution over twenty times the safe limit. This is largely due to China's use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth. China burns more coal than the rest of the world combined. Seven of its top ten most polluted cities are located in Hebei province, a major industrial centre home to the nation's steel, glass, and cement industries. In comparison, the worst city in the US for air pollution, Bakersfield, California, has a PM2.5 level of 18.2, far below Xingtai's 155.2. China is also the world's leading generator of plastic waste, with at least 13% of its domestic plastic waste ending up in the environment.
The US, on the other hand, has taken steps to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. There has been a 40% decline in coal-fired power generation in the US over the last decade, and natural gas now accounts for 30% of its energy use. The US has also invested in renewable energy, with $141 billion spent on the low-carbon energy transition in 2022. Additionally, the US has joined international agreements like the 2013 Minamata Convention on Mercury to address environmental issues.
Both countries have made efforts to address their environmental impact, but China's rapid industrialisation and heavy reliance on coal have made it the larger contributor to global pollution and carbon emissions in recent years. However, when considered cumulatively, the US has emitted more carbon dioxide and is responsible for more global warming.
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China's air pollution
The country's rapid economic development has resulted in a significant increase in energy consumption, with coal being a dominant source. China's coal-burning power plants not only contribute to air pollution within the country but also globally, as they are a major source of mercury air pollution. Additionally, China's economic activities have led to the country becoming the world's leading generator of plastic waste, with a significant portion being released directly into the environment, further exacerbating pollution levels.
The Chinese government has recognised the severity of the issue and initiated a "War against Pollution," achieving remarkable progress in recent years. Beijing, in particular, has prioritised air quality improvement, establishing new ambient air quality standards. Despite these efforts, China still ranks as the 13th most polluted country in the world, with particulate pollution levels significantly impacting the health and life expectancy of its citizens.
In comparison, the United States, which industrialised earlier, has historically emitted almost twice as much carbon dioxide as China. However, when considering per capita emissions, the average Chinese person uses far less energy, emitting approximately half the amount of carbon pollution annually compared to an average American. The US has also taken steps towards reducing its carbon footprint, investing in renewable energy sources and transitioning from coal to natural gas, contributing to a decline in greenhouse gas emissions.
Both China and the US, as the world's largest polluters, face ongoing challenges in addressing air pollution and climate change. While China has made notable progress in recent years, it continues to struggle with high levels of air pollution, particularly in its industrial centres. The US, despite its efforts to reduce emissions, remains a major contributor to global warming and faces pressure to further decrease its emissions in collaboration with China.
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China's plastic waste
China and the United States are the world's two largest polluters. China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, producing more than twice the amount emitted by the US. However, per person, the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide as China. China's heavy pollution levels can be attributed to its use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth. The country burns more coal than the rest of the world combined.
China's plastic pollution is starkly evident, largely due to its consumption of at least one-fifth of the world's plastics. China is the single largest producer and exporter of single-use and virgin plastics and, until 2018, was the largest importer of plastic. In 2020, China produced about 60 million tonnes of plastic waste, of which only 16 million tonnes were recycled. On average, only about 17% of the plastic used in China is recycled. China is also the largest source of mismanaged plastic waste and is the biggest offender of ocean plastic pollution. The Yangtze River has been identified as one of the biggest sources of global plastic pollution, responsible for more than half of all marine plastic pollution.
China has taken steps to address its plastic waste problem. In 2016, a ban on free shopping and carrier bags led to a two-thirds reduction in plastic bags in supermarkets and shopping malls. In 2017, China implemented a waste import ban, preventing the import of several types of waste, including plastics with a contamination level above 0.05%. This ban has had a significant impact on global environmental sustainability, reducing global plastic waste trade flow and changing the treatment structure of countries.
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China's coal-fired power plants
China and the United States are the world's two largest polluters and biggest carbon dioxide emitters. China's use of coal-fired power plants to fuel its economic growth has been a major contributor to its high levels of pollution.
China is the world's largest producer and consumer of coal and the largest user of coal-derived electricity. Over half of the world's coal-fired power is generated in China, with coal-fired plants providing over half of the country's electricity. China's installed coal-based power generation capacity was 1080 GW in 2021, about half of the total installed capacity of power stations in the country.
In 2024, China's construction of new coal-fired power plants reached a 10-year high. The country began building 94.5 GW of new coal-power capacity and resumed 3.3 GW of suspended projects, with approvals for new coal construction rebounding to 66.7 GW. This surge in new coal-power projects has been driven by investments from regional coal and energy companies, as well as China's "dual-carbon" goals, which have pushed companies to diversify their energy sources.
While China has made pledges to reduce its coal consumption and transition to clean energy, its continued construction of new coal-fired power plants and low rates of retirement for old coal plants are undermining its progress. China's large-scale expansion of coal power is creating a conflicting dynamic with its simultaneous growth in the clean energy sector.
To align with its carbon reduction goals, China needs to prioritize policy measures such as including ambitious and measurable coal consumption reduction targets, coal power phase-down targets, and renewable energy expansion goals.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the world's largest emitter of carbon dioxide, putting more than twice as much carbon dioxide into the air each year compared to the US. However, per person, the US emits twice as much carbon dioxide as China.
China has made significant progress in reducing pollution over the past few years, and if these improvements continue, people in China could see their average life expectancy increase by 2 years. China has also spent a lot on a low-carbon energy transition, including investments in renewable energy, energy storage, electrified transport, and carbon capture.
There is a perception that China is not doing enough to combat climate change. For instance, at a G20 summit in 2021, President Joe Biden stated that China "basically didn’t show up in terms of any commitments to deal with climate change."
