Greta Jimenez
The world's worst corporate polluters are predominantly fossil fuel companies, which have been aware of the dangers their products pose to the planet since the 1950s. The top 20 polluting companies, according to Richard Heede of the Climate Accountability Institute, have contributed to 35% of all energy-related carbon dioxide and methane worldwide, totalling 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide since 1965. Chevron, Exxon, BP and Shell are among the worst investor-owned companies, while Saudi Aramco is the leading state-owned polluter. Despite the transition to a carbon-free economy being led by companies like Apple, Facebook, Google and Ikea, fossil fuel companies continue to drive the climate crisis, and the world's biggest emitters of carbon dioxide continue to be coal-burning power generators.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of companies responsible for the majority of global emissions | 20-25 companies responsible for 35% of emissions |
| Total emissions from these companies since 1965 | 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent |
| Percentage of global emissions from these companies | 35% of global emissions |
| Type of companies | Fossil fuel companies, oil and gas companies |
| Companies with the highest emissions | Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, Chevron |
| Companies taking action to reduce emissions | Apple, Facebook, Google, Ikea, Volvo, Shell, Chevron, BP, ExxonMobil |
| Companies with no climate strategy | NIOC |
| Companies responsible for environmental disasters | BP (Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in 2010) |
| Companies engaged in disinformation campaigns | Exxon |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuel companies
Burning fossil fuels releases large amounts of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas, into the atmosphere. Fossil fuel companies are huge polluters, producing and selling fossil fuel products while scientists advocate for a mass switch to renewable energy.
A Carbon Tracker study in 2015 found that fossil fuel companies risked wasting trillions over the coming decade by pursuing coal, oil, and gas projects that could become worthless due to international climate action and renewable energy advancements. Despite this, the fossil fuel industry received roughly $1.2 trillion in investment in 2018, with $170 billion going to fossil fuel supply projects in the US.
According to a Carbon Disclosure Project report from 2023, 100 companies are responsible for 71% of global greenhouse emissions. However, more recent data from the Corporate Governance Institute narrows this down to 20 companies, which have contributed to 35% of all energy-related carbon dioxide and methane emissions since 1965. These 20 companies have produced 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, with the leading state-owned polluter, Saudi Aramco, contributing 4.38% on its own.
Twelve of the top 20 polluting companies are state-owned, and their extractions are responsible for 20% of total emissions. The remaining eight are investor-owned multinational corporations, including well-known companies like Exxon, Koch Industries, and Chevron. These companies have continued to expand their operations despite being aware of their devastating impact on the planet. Investigations have revealed that some, like Exxon, have actively worked to confuse the public and delay action by funding climate deniers.
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Investor-owned companies
The Climate Accountability Institute's Richard Heede, who conducted the analysis, calculates carbon emissions throughout the supply chain, from extraction to consumer use. Heede's research aims to shift the focus from individual responsibilities to the power structures and financial lobbying that enable fossil fuel companies to expand their operations despite their devastating impact on the planet.
Among the top investor-owned polluters are well-known multinational corporations, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron. These companies have been identified as the highest emitting investor-owned entities since 1988. Despite their contributions to environmental degradation, some of these companies have pledged to take action to mitigate their impact. For example, Shell has established a renewables arm with a $1.7 billion investment, and Chevron is investing in carbon capture and storage projects.
In addition to the fossil fuel industry, other sectors also contribute to pollution, such as plastic waste. Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Nestlê were named the top three plastic polluters in 2020 by the Break Free From Plastic Movement, with Coca-Cola associated with over 13,000 plastic pieces analysed from 51 countries.
While some investor-owned companies are taking steps towards environmental responsibility, there is still a long way to go to address the impact of their operations on the planet.
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State-owned companies
The leading state-owned polluter is Saudi Aramco, which has produced 4.38% of all carbon dioxide and methane since 1965. This is equivalent to 95.52 billion metric tons of carbon emissions or 1,632,282,605 flights between London and Sydney. Saudi Aramco has been called out by Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist, who urged politicians to take urgent measures to curb the company's activities.
Other state-owned companies that are among the top polluters include Exxon, BP, and Chevron. Exxon has been criticized for knowing about the dangers of climate change since the 1970s but instead spending millions on disinformation campaigns. BP was responsible for the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in 2010, which resulted in one of the worst environmental disasters in US history, with 206 million gallons of oil spilling into the Gulf of Mexico.
These state-owned companies have often lobbied governments and portrayed themselves as environmentally conscious while continuing to expand their operations and contribute significantly to global carbon emissions. Despite being aware of their industry's impact on the planet, they have prioritized profits over taking responsibility for addressing the climate crisis.
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Lobbying governments
For instance, Exxon, one of the top polluters, was exposed in 2015 for knowing about climate change and its causes since the 1970s. Instead of taking corrective action, the company channelled millions of dollars into misleading the public through disinformation campaigns. Exxon also funded think tanks that denied climate change, further aggravating the situation.
Similarly, Saudi Aramco, the leading state-owned polluter, has produced 4.38% of all carbon dioxide and methane emissions since 1965. Despite this, the company continues to operate with little regard for the environment, as evidenced by its lack of investment in low-carbon technology or initiatives to reduce its environmental footprint.
The fossil fuel industry's influence is also evident in the findings that just 20 companies, including ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron, are responsible for 35% of all energy-related carbon dioxide and methane emissions worldwide. These companies have contributed to the climate crisis by extracting and promoting the use of fossil fuels while lobbying governments to protect their interests.
To shift the focus from individual responsibility to these powerful entities, researchers like Richard Heede from the Climate Accountability Institute are working to hold these companies accountable. Heede's analysis calculates the carbon emissions throughout the supply chain, from extraction to consumer use, to demonstrate the fossil fuel companies' responsibility in perpetuating the carbon era and driving the planet towards an existential threat.
While some oil and gas companies are starting to invest in green initiatives, it is often too little too late. For example, BP, responsible for one of the worst environmental disasters in US history with the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion, claims to be "determined to be part of the solution" for climate change. However, their efforts towards renewables and low-carbon innovation are overshadowed by their continued investment in fossil fuel projects.
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Environmental impact
The environmental impact of the world's worst-polluting companies is significant and far-reaching. A small number of companies are responsible for a large proportion of global carbon emissions, with just 20 companies contributing to 35% of all energy-related carbon dioxide and methane worldwide, totalling 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965. Twelve of the top 20 companies are state-owned, and together they are responsible for 20% of total emissions in the same period. The leading state-owned polluter is Saudi Aramco, which has produced 4.38% of global carbon emissions on its own. Other major polluters include Exxon, which has spent decades pouring millions of dollars into disinformation campaigns, and BP, which was responsible for the Deepwater Horizon rig explosion in 2010, which sent 206 million gallons of oil into the Gulf of Mexico and triggered one of the worst environmental disasters in US history.
The fossil fuel industry is a major contributor to climate change, with companies in this sector driving the climate crisis despite being aware of the dangers. These companies have continued to expand their operations, prioritising profits over the health of the planet. The Carbon Disclosure Project's 2023 report identified 100 companies as being responsible for 71% of all global greenhouse emissions, with the top 25 corporate and state-owned entities contributing more than half of global industrial emissions since 1988. ExxonMobil, Shell, BP, and Chevron are among the highest-emitting investor-owned companies in this group.
In addition to the carbon emissions associated with the fossil fuel industry, plastic waste is another area of concern for the environment. Coca-Cola, Pepsico, and Nestlê were named as the three largest plastic polluters in the world in 2020 by the Break Free From Plastic Movement.
While some companies are acting as environmental offenders, others are trying to make a positive change. Nearly 100 companies, including Apple, Facebook, Google, and Ikea, have committed to using 100% renewable power under the RE100 initiative. Volvo has also announced that all its cars will be electric or hybrid from 2019 onwards. Even some oil and gas companies are making green investments, with Shell investing $1.7 billion in a renewables arm in 2015 and Chevron investing in carbon dioxide injection projects to capture and store carbon. While these efforts are a step in the right direction, the continued expansion of operations by the worst-polluting companies highlights the need for urgent measures to rein in their activities and mitigate their environmental impact.
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Frequently asked questions
According to research by Richard Heede at the Climate Accountability Institute, just 20 companies have contributed to 35% of all energy-related carbon dioxide and methane worldwide, totalling 480 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent since 1965. The top four global businesses are Chevron, Exxon, BP and Shell, which are responsible for more than 10% of the world's carbon emissions.
The fossil fuels sector is the most polluting industry in the world. Despite this knowledge, emissions from fossil fuels keep increasing. Livestock production processes are the biggest culprit in farm emissions, generating 4 billion tons of CO2eq in 2018 and causing widespread deforestation. Fashion is the third most polluting industry, producing about 10% of our annual carbon footprint.
Excluding pickup trucks, the most polluting car type surveyed in 2017 was the 2011-2020 Jeep Grand Cherokee, which creates 372 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. The 2007-2014 Audi R8 creates 346 grams per kilometre, and the third most polluting car is the Chevrolet Camaro, which creates 335 grams per kilometre.
