The biggest contributor to global net anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2021 was the energy sector, which released 20.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) into the atmosphere. Agriculture, forestry, and other land uses was the second-largest source of GHG emissions in 2021. These emissions were mainly released from land use, land use change, and forestry (LULUCF) and enteric fermentation. Meanwhile, global transportation emitted 8.1 GtCO₂e, with road transportation emissions accounting for more than 70 percent of this total.
Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector
(in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Characteristic
Emissions in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent
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WRI, & Systems Change Lab. (November 14, 2023). Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved February 08, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
WRI, und Systems Change Lab. "Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. November 14, 2023. Statista. Accessed February 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
WRI, Systems Change Lab. (2023). Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: February 08, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
WRI, and Systems Change Lab. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions Worldwide in 2021, by Sector (in Billion Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 14 Nov 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed
WRI & Systems Change Lab, Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed (last visited February 08, 2025)
Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide in 2021, by sector (in billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], WRI, & Systems Change Lab, November 14, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1341795/ghg-emissions-by-sector-globally/?__sso_cookie_checker=failed