The average American was responsible for emitting 14.4 metric tons of carbon dioxide (tCO₂) in 2022. Although an increase from the previous year, U.S. per capita fossil CO₂ emissions have fallen by more than 25 percent since 1990.
Global per capita emission comparisons
Despite per capita emissions in the United States falling notably in recent decades, they remain more than three times the global average per capita CO₂ emissions. In 2022, the average American emitted more CO₂ in one day than the average Somalian did throughout the entire year. Additionally, while China is now the world’s biggest emitter, the average Chinese citizen’s annual carbon footprint was almost half the average American’s.
Which U.S. state has the largest carbon footprint?
Per capita energy-related CO₂ emissions in the U.S. vary greatly by state. Wyoming was the biggest CO₂ emitter per capita in 2021, with 94 tCO₂ per person. The least-populated state’s high per capita emissions are mainly due to its heavily polluting coal industry. In contrast, New Yorkers had the smallest carbon footprint in 2021, at less than eight tCO₂ per person.
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022
(in metric tons)
Characteristic
CO₂ emissions in metric tons per capita
2022
14.44
2021
14.29
2020
13.48
2019
15.09
2018
15.66
2017
15.29
2016
15.61
2015
16.05
2014
16.51
2013
16.56
2012
16.24
2011
17.07
2010
17.89
2009
17.23
2008
18.75
2007
19.54
2006
19.44
2005
19.95
2004
20.1
2003
19.97
2002
19.92
2001
20.64
2000
21.03
1999
20.66
1998
20.85
1997
20.95
1996
20.19
1995
19.84
1994
19.86
1993
19.75
1992
19.49
1991
19.37
1990
19.74
1989
20.31
1988
20.27
1987
19.56
1986
19.1
1985
19.44
1984
19.51
1983
18.83
1982
19.07
1981
20.31
1980
20.81
1979
22
1978
22.05
1977
22.3
1976
21.77
1975
20.6
1974
21.77
1973
22.75
1972
22.08
1971
21.09
1970
21.93
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EDGAR/JRC. (September 8, 2023). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved September 01, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/
EDGAR/JRC. "Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons)." Chart. September 8, 2023. Statista. Accessed September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/
EDGAR/JRC. (2023). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: September 01, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/
EDGAR/JRC. "Per Capita Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Fossil Fuels in The United States from 1970 to 2022 (in Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/
EDGAR/JRC, Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/ (last visited September 01, 2024)
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in the United States from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) [Graph], EDGAR/JRC, September 8, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1049662/fossil-us-carbon-dioxide-emissions-per-person/