Kiera Jefferson
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change. Each year, over 50 billion metric tons of CO2 are released into the Earth's atmosphere, with about 90% of these emissions caused by the use of fossil fuels. The countries that emit the most CO2 are China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan. China has been the largest emitter of CO2 since 2006, primarily due to its extensive use of coal. The United States has the highest emissions per capita, with each American producing around 150 times more emissions than the average person in some of the poorest countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Largest CO2 emitters | China, the United States, India, Russia, Japan, the EU27, Brazil |
| CO2 emissions in 2023 | 53.0 GtCO2eq |
| Fossil fuels as a percentage of total emissions | 73.7% |
| China's CO2 emissions in 2023 | 15% higher than all other developed economies combined |
| India's increase in CO2 emissions in 2023 | 6.1% |
| Absolute increase in China's CO2 emissions in 2023 | 784 MtCO2eq |
| CO2 emissions from top 10 countries | Almost two-thirds of the global total |
| Main sources of CO2 emissions | Fossil fuels, energy generation through non-renewable sources, and polluting human activities |
| Largest per capita CO2 emitters | Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait |
| Countries with high per capita emissions | The United States, Australia, and Canada |
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What You'll Learn
China: the largest CO2 emitter since 2006
China has been the world's largest emitter of CO2 since 2006. Its emissions in 2023 were 15% higher than those of all other developed economies combined. China's extensive use of coal, as well as imported oil, are the main contributors to its high emissions.
China's CO2 emissions are driven by its large population and high standard of living. Its emissions per capita in 2023 were 9.24, which is almost two-thirds of the United States' 13.83. China's emissions are also impacted by its role in global trade, with emissions embedded in traded goods not always accounted for in territorial-based measurements.
China's emissions have been increasing, with an absolute increase of 784 MtCO2eq from 2022 to 2023, the largest increase among the top 10 emitting countries. Its emissions in 2023 were more than 14 billion tons of CO2, contributing to the global total of over 50 billion metric tons of CO2 released into the Earth's atmosphere each year.
China's actions to reduce emissions, such as through the use of cleaner-burning fuels, and its participation in global agreements like COP28, will be crucial in addressing the climate crisis.
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India: coal supplies 44% of energy
India is the third-largest CO2 emitter in the world, with 3,062 million metric tons of total carbon dioxide emissions produced in 2023. The country's large carbon footprint is due to its energy sources, with coal supplying about 44% of the energy in India. Petroleum and other liquids provided about 24% of the country's energy, while natural gas only accounts for 6% of India's energy consumption.
India's reliance on coal for energy is a significant contributor to its high CO2 emissions. Coal is a fossil fuel, and the burning of fossil fuels is the largest source of CO2 emissions globally. About 90% of carbon dioxide emissions are caused by the use of fossil fuels, and India's large population means that a significant amount of energy is required to power the country.
India's energy consumption is expected to grow in the coming years, and the country is taking steps to reduce its reliance on coal and other fossil fuels. The country plans to increase the market share of natural gas to 15% by 2030, which will help reduce air pollution and move towards cleaner-burning fuels.
In addition to transitioning to natural gas, India is also exploring renewable energy sources to meet its energy demands. The country has set ambitious targets for renewable energy deployment, including solar, wind, and hydropower. By diversifying its energy mix and reducing its dependence on coal, India aims to balance its energy needs with environmental sustainability and reduce its carbon footprint.
While India's current energy landscape is heavily reliant on coal, the country is making efforts to transition to cleaner energy sources. By increasing the use of natural gas and investing in renewable energy technologies, India is taking steps towards reducing its CO2 emissions and mitigating its impact on climate change.
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US: gasoline-fuelled transport is a major contributor
The United States is the second-largest contributor to carbon dioxide emissions globally, with the gasoline-fuelled transportation industry being a significant factor. The US has the highest carbon dioxide emissions per capita, with 13.83 tonnes of CO2 emitted per person in 2023.
In 2023, the US emitted an estimated 4,794 million metric tons of carbon dioxide, with 31% of these emissions, or 1,489 million metric tons, coming from the transportation sector. This includes emissions from the combustion of motor gasoline and diesel (distillate) fuel. The transportation sector's carbon dioxide emissions are primarily due to gasoline-powered vehicles, which emit around 8,887 grams of CO2 per gallon of gasoline burned. These vehicles also emit methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) from the tailpipe, as well as hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) from leaking air conditioners.
The production and distribution of gasoline also contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The extraction of oil, its transportation to refineries, the refining process, and the subsequent transportation of gasoline to service stations all produce additional greenhouse gases. Furthermore, the combustion of gasoline for transportation is a significant contributor to the US's carbon dioxide emissions, constituting two-fifths of domestic emissions from burning fossil fuels.
To address these emissions, the US has implemented various measures, including federal subsidies for charging stations and electric vehicles. California has taken the initiative by mandating that all new cars sold by 2035 be free of CO2 emissions. The Inflation Act is another crucial legislation aimed at advancing global emissions control and standardisation.
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Russia: coal and natural gas are key
Russia is the fourth-largest contributor to CO2 emissions, emitting 1,816 million metric tons in 2023. The country has one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, and natural gas is the primary source of energy and power generation in Russia. Natural gas generates smaller amounts of greenhouse gases (GHGs) than other fossil fuels and contains fewer pollutants such as sulfur. It is also easier to clean and burns with much higher efficiency in electrical power plants than other fossil fuels.
Russia also has the second-largest recoverable coal reserves worldwide. Coal supplied about 16% of energy in Russia in 2024, and the country is the sixth-largest producer of coal. Coal is widely used in chemical and other basic material industries and for power generation in Russia. The country maintains the world's seventh-largest fleet of coal-fired power stations, which significantly contribute to its carbon emissions. Russia's heavy industries are coal-dependent, complicating the nation's efforts to achieve its announced goal of carbon neutrality by 2060.
Russia's economy is largely dependent on the export of oil and natural gas, with the country holding the world's largest natural gas reserves. Russia also boasts substantial oil reserves, primarily located in regions like West Siberia, and has regained its status as the largest global oil exporter. Russia's natural resources make it a key player in the global energy market.
Russia's coal industry has been impacted by the country's invasion of Ukraine, with European Union sanctions leading to a shift in exports to the Asia-Pacific market. Coal has seen a rise in demand in Europe, replacing sanctioned natural gas and oil. Russia's coal infrastructure is being expanded to meet the increasing demand from Asian countries.
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Japan: oil is the largest energy source
Oil is the largest source of primary energy consumption in Japan. In 2021, oil accounted for 38% of Japan's total energy consumption, down from 43% in 2011 and 80% in the 1970s. Japan's reliance on oil as its primary energy source is due to its limited domestic energy resources and the need to import most of its energy. In 2022, Japan imported 97% of its oil, with the Middle East being the predominant source, accounting for 93% of imports.
Japan's energy policy has undergone significant transformations since the post-war period due to its limited domestic energy resources. Initially, Japan relied heavily on coal, which accounted for over 80% of its energy needs in the 1950s. However, by the 1960s and 1970s, Japan shifted towards oil due to its cost-effectiveness, higher energy density, and challenges with domestic coal supply disruptions. The expansion of the transportation and manufacturing sectors in Japan also contributed to the dominance of oil in its energy mix.
While Japan has been working to diversify its energy sources and increase its reliance on renewable energy, oil continues to play a significant role in its energy consumption. In recent years, Japan has been the third-largest oil consumer and importer in the world, after the United States and China. Japan's large consumption of oil contributes to its position as one of the world's largest contributors to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. According to the most recent data, Japan is the fifth-largest producer of CO2 emissions, with 989 million metric tons emitted in 2023.
To reduce its dependency on oil and other fossil fuels, Japan has been transitioning towards cleaner and more cost-effective energy sources, such as liquefied natural gas (LNG). Japan pioneered Asia's LNG industry in the 1970s and 1980s and has since become the world's largest importer of LNG. LNG is seen as a lower-emission alternative to coal and a crucial step in Japan's transition to renewable energy sources. Japan has also been exploring other decarbonisation technologies, such as carbon capture and storage (CCS), and has committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
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Frequently asked questions
China is the largest emitter of CO2, with more than 14 billion tons of CO2 released.
The United States and India are the second and third largest emitters of CO2, respectively.
More than 50 billion metric tons of CO2 are released into the Earth's atmosphere annually.
The largest source of CO2 emissions is the use of fossil fuels, particularly coal and oil.
The countries with the highest per capita CO2 emissions are Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Kuwait, which are all major oil-producing countries.
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