U.S. carbon dioxide emissions 1975-2022, by sector
Energy consumption from the transportation sector is the largest source of carbon dioxide in the United States. In 2021, U.S. transportation sector emissions increased 11 percent from the previous year to 1.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). In 2020, U.S. transportation emissions plummeted 15 percent as a result of COVID-19-related lockdowns and travel restrictions.
The second largest contributor to U.S. emissions in 2021 was the electric power sector, which released 1.6 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere. Between 1990 and 2015, the electric power sector was the biggest source of CO₂ emissions in the U.S., but emissions from this sector have fallen significantly in recent decades as the country shifts towards cleaner energy sources and phases out coal.
The second largest contributor to U.S. emissions in 2021 was the electric power sector, which released 1.6 GtCO₂ into the atmosphere. Between 1990 and 2015, the electric power sector was the biggest source of CO₂ emissions in the U.S., but emissions from this sector have fallen significantly in recent decades as the country shifts towards cleaner energy sources and phases out coal.
