Greta Jimenez
The countries that produce the most pollution are often the most industrialised, with China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan being the top five contributors to carbon dioxide emissions. China is the world's largest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions, with 9.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted in 2020, largely due to its extensive use of coal and exported consumer goods. The US is the second-largest emitter, with 4.4 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted, due to its gasoline-fuelled transportation industry. India, Russia, and Japan are also major polluters, with India's emissions projected to increase as it continues to develop. While the US and EU have seen declining levels of pollution in recent years, their historical emissions and ability to pay for climate action are also important considerations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Country with the highest CO2 emissions | China |
| Country with the highest per capita CO2 emissions | Palau |
| Country with the highest cumulative CO2 emissions | USA |
| Country with the highest number of polluted cities | India |
| Country with the highest planet-heating emissions | USA and EU |
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What You'll Learn
China: highest CO2 emissions, driven by coal use
China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gases and has been emitting more CO2 than any other country since 2006. China emitted over 12.6 gigatonnes (Gt) of CO2-equivalent (CO2eq) of greenhouse gases in 2023, accounting for 35% of the world total. China's per capita emissions correspond to over 10.1 tonnes of CO2eq emitted per person each year, which is over the world average.
China's greenhouse gas emissions are driven primarily by coal use. Between 2000 and 2018, around 75.5% of China's CO2 emissions resulted from this heavy dependence on coal, with an additional 14% coming from oil. In 2018, coal represented 59% of the country's total energy use, and coal production alone accounted for 14% of historical global emissions. China is the largest emitter of methane from coal mines, producing over 14% of global methane emissions.
China's economic growth has been powered mainly by coal, which constituted an average of 69.9% of the country's energy consumption between 1985 and 2016. While nationwide coal usage has slowed since 2008, China still consumed more coal than the rest of the world combined in 2018. China's industrial sector is the primary coal consumer, with manufacturing, agriculture, mining, and construction collectively making up 49% of coal use in 2017.
China has implemented policies to mitigate climate change and constrain coal consumption, such as the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), which aims to peak CO2 emissions by 2030 and increase the use of non-fossil fuel energy carriers. China has also established renewable energy targets and surpassed its wind and solar capacity target six years ahead of schedule. However, coal plant construction continues to expand, and China is off track to meet its 2025 emissions intensity reduction target.
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India: 14 of world's 15 most contaminated cities
India is one of the world's top polluters, with fourteen of the world's fifteen most contaminated cities, according to the World Health Organization. India's emissions are rising steeply, and while it is investing in renewable energy projects, it remains reliant on coal, oil, and gas. When these fossil fuels are burned, they release carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, which stays and warms the planet for hundreds of years.
India's high pollution levels can be attributed to its large population, high dependence on fossil fuels, and significant economic growth. India is the world's most populous country, with over 1.4 billion people. While its per capita emissions are far lower than those of the United States or China, the total emissions are high due to the country's population size. Additionally, India has a high dependence on fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and gas, which are major contributors to climate change. India's economy is also growing rapidly, and as a result, its emissions are projected to increase.
India has experienced several environmental emergencies and has high levels of deforestation and animal hunting. The country has had a law protecting air quality since 1981, but the burning of fossil fuels has grown significantly, and as a consequence, India is ranked as the third most polluting country in the world. India's pollution levels are not limited to big cities, but rural areas are also beginning to see the consequences.
While India is taking initiatives to combat climate change, such as investing in renewable energy projects, the majority of these initiatives have been shown to be insufficient. India's renewable energy projects must be accompanied by a reduction in fossil fuel usage to effectively combat climate change and reduce pollution levels. India's large population and growing economy will continue to contribute to its pollution levels, and therefore, it is crucial for the country to implement effective measures to reduce its environmental impact.
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US: highest per capita emissions, large historical emissions
The United States has the highest per capita emissions of any country. In 2022, US greenhouse gas emissions totalled 6,343 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalents, a 3% decrease since 1990. However, emissions increased from 2020 to 2022 by 5.7%, largely due to an increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel combustion. The US also has large historical emissions; it was the second-largest CO2 emitter in 1850, the first year of available data, and remained the top emitter throughout the 20th century.
The US has the highest per capita emissions of any country, with 13.83 in 2023, almost two-thirds more than China's level of 9.24. North America as a whole has the highest per capita emissions of any region, followed by Europe and Central Asia. The US is also one of the largest cumulative emitters to date, along with the EU, bearing responsibility for most of the CO2 in the atmosphere.
In 2022, transportation accounted for the largest share of US emissions at 28.4%, followed by electric power at approximately 25%. Electric power has historically been the largest sector, accounting for 30% of emissions since 1990. In 2022, 13% of US greenhouse gas emissions were offset by net sinks resulting from land use and forestry practices.
The US's large historical emissions and high per capita emissions figures highlight the country's significant contribution to global pollution levels. While there have been some decreases in emissions in recent years, the rebound in economic activity after the height of the pandemic has led to an increase in emissions.
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EU: high historical emissions, addressing carbon leakage
A quick search reveals that China has been the top emitter of carbon dioxide since 2006. However, some argue that a fair comparison should be made in terms of CO2 per capita, which would mean that the country with the highest emissions is Palau.
The European Union (EU) has implemented several measures to address its high historical emissions and carbon leakage, a situation that occurs when businesses transfer production to countries with less stringent emission constraints, leading to an increase in total emissions. The EU Emissions Trading System (EU ETS) is a key mechanism, providing special treatment and support to industrial installations at risk of carbon leakage to maintain their competitiveness.
Phase 3 of the EU ETS offered free allocation to sectors vulnerable to carbon leakage, calculated by multiplying production quantity with benchmark values. Highly exposed sectors received 100% free allocation, while less exposed sectors saw a gradual reduction from 80% in 2013 to 30% in 2020. Phase 4 (2021-2030) will continue this policy with improved criteria and data, focusing on sectors at the highest risk of relocating outside the EU.
To further address carbon leakage, the EU introduced a Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) in 2023. It acts as a safeguard by imposing border carbon adjustments, preventing the relocation of carbon-intensive activities to countries with less stringent climate policies. The CBAM proposal is part of the "Fit for 55" package of legislative proposals under the "European Green Deal," reflecting the EU's commitment to enhancing its climate ambition.
Additionally, the EU allows member states to compensate electro-intensive sectors for increased electricity costs due to the EU ETS through national state aid schemes, ensuring alignment with EU state aid rules. These strategies demonstrate the EU's proactive approach to mitigating its historical emissions and addressing the complex issue of carbon leakage.
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Palau: highest CO2 emissions per capita
While China has been the biggest polluter in recent years, the United States has emitted the most CO2 over time. The US remains in first place for its cumulative CO2 emissions, and by the end of 2021, it will have emitted more than 509 GtCO2 since 1850. This accounts for 20.3% of the global total, which is the largest share by far and is associated with some 0.2C of warming to date.
However, when it comes to per capita emissions, which represent the climate pollution produced by the average person in each country, the picture changes. China may be the biggest emitter overall, but the average American is responsible for nearly twice as much climate pollution as the average person in China.
Furthermore, when looking at the top 20 countries for cumulative emissions from 1850 to 2021, weighted by population in 2021, China, India, Brazil, and Indonesia are notably absent. While these countries have made large contributions to global cumulative emissions, they also have large populations, which makes their impact per person much smaller.
In contrast, when it comes to per capita emissions, Palau, a small island nation in the Pacific Ocean, stands out. In 2023, Palau had the highest CO2 emissions per capita, with levels of 62.59. This is almost six times higher than the United States and more than eleven times higher than China.
Palau's high per capita emissions can be attributed to several factors, including its small population, development status, and economic activities. With a small population of around 18,000 people, any emissions produced have a significant impact on a per-capita basis. Additionally, as a developing country, Palau may have limited access to low-carbon technologies and resources, which can hinder its ability to transition to a more sustainable path. Furthermore, Palau's economy relies heavily on tourism, which can contribute to emissions through transportation and infrastructure development.
To address its high per capita emissions, Palau has been taking steps towards sustainability and conservation. The country has recognized the importance of protecting its natural environment, which is a major draw for tourists. Initiatives such as the Palau National Marine Sanctuary, established in 2015, aim to preserve the country's marine resources and promote sustainable tourism. Additionally, Palau has explored renewable energy sources, such as solar power, to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels and decrease its carbon footprint. These efforts demonstrate Palau's commitment to mitigating its environmental impact and contributing to global climate change efforts.
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Frequently asked questions
China has been emitting more CO2 than any other country since 2006. However, when it comes to per capita emissions, the average American is responsible for almost twice as much climate pollution as the average person in China.
The US, the European Union, and India are also among the top polluters.
The US has passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which includes measures to address inflation and promote sustainable practices. The EU has set out an ambitious plan to massively scale up clean energy. India is investing in major renewable energy projects, although it also remains reliant on coal.
