China and the United States are the biggest carbon polluters in the world by far, having released 11.9 and 4.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) in 2023, respectively. Although the U.S. is the second-biggest emitter, its CO₂ emissions have reduced by 13 percent since 2010. By comparison, China’s CO₂ emissions have increased by more than 38 percent.
Sources of emissions
One of the largest sources of global CO₂ emissions is the power sector, with electricity produced by coal-fired power plants a significant contributor. In China, emissions from coal-fired electricity generation have soared since the turn of the century, and reached 5.2 GtCO₂ in 2023.
Cumulative emissions
Although China is currently the world's largest carbon polluter, the U.S. has released far more historical carbon dioxide emissions, at more than 400 GtCO₂ since 1750. The wide gap between the two countries is mainly because China's emissions have mostly been produced in the past two decades. Combined, the U.S. and China account for roughly 40 percent of cumulative CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution began.
Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023
(in million metric tons)
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Global Carbon Project. (November 13, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 11, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in million metric tons)." Chart. November 13, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy
Global Carbon Project. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 11, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions of The Most Polluting Countries Worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Nov 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy
Global Carbon Project, Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy (last visited December 11, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions of the most polluting countries worldwide in 2010 and 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Global Carbon Project, November 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/270499/co2-emissions-in-selected-countries/?can_id=c6f64a9082f2ba9fff41e722c8113eec&email_referrer=&email_subject=permakr_zis-_dv-heti-feledy&link_id=4&source=email-permakrizis-udv-heti-feledy