Breakdown of CO₂ emissions in the transportation sector worldwide 2022, by sub sector

The global transportation sector is a major polluter, producing more than seven billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) a year. Cars and vans were the biggest source of transportation emissions that year, accounting for approximately 48 percent of global transportation emissions.

Road transportation emissions

Global CO₂ emissions from cars and vans have reached a peak of 3.6 GtCO₂ in 2019, before plummeting 11 percent the following year. Car emissions fell dramatically in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19, and the subsequent restrictions on mobility. While emissions have increased since then, they remain below pre-pandemic levels. Meanwhile, Medium and heavy trucks accounted for roughly a quarter of transportation emissions in 2022, despite them representing a small share of vehicles.

Where are transportation emissions highest?

The United States is by far the largest producer of transportation emissions worldwide. Between 1975 and 2007, U.S. transportation sector CO₂ emissions increased 56 percent to over two billion metric tons. Although emissions have fallen since then, they still amounted to more than 1.8 GtCO₂ in 2022.