Greenhouse gas emissions worldwide - Statistics & Facts

Reducing emissions of planet-warming greenhouse gases (GHG) like carbon dioxide and methane is crucial to tackling climate change. But despite a flurry of climate pledges, global GHG emissions have continued to rise and reached a new high of 53.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) in 2022. Global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels are also projected to have hit a record high in 2023, while annual global CO₂ atmospheric concentrations are now more than 50 percent above pre-industrial levels.

Global CO₂ emissions trends

CO₂ is the primary GHG emitted through human activities and the largest contributor to climate change. Global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuel have increased by more than 60 percent since 1990, to more than 37 GtCO₂ per year. In 2021 alone, emissions grew roughly five percent year-on-year, owing to the rapid economic rebound from the 2020 COVID-19 crisis. There had initially been fears that emissions would continue to rise at a similar pace in 2022, but factors such as clean energy growth and increased electric vehicle deployment partially offset the impacts of increased coal and oil use amid the global energy crisis.

Who are the world’s biggest emitters?

China was responsible for around 31 percent of global fossil fuel CO₂ emissions in 2022, making it the world’s biggest carbon polluter by far. Since 1990, the Asian country’s CO₂ emissions have increased by more than 400 percent, owing to rapid industrialization and economic growth. A similar pattern has been observed in other developing countries, such as India. By comparison, emissions in the U.S., the second-biggest emitter, have fallen by roughly three percent since 1990. Several European countries, such as the UK and Germany, have also achieved overall emissions reductions during this period, partly due to the phasing out of coal. Nevertheless, the U.S. and Europe are the two biggest contributors to historical emissions, with the U.S. alone producing more than 500 GtCO₂ since 1850 from fossil fuels and land use.

Emissions need to be cut more rapidly

According to the IPCC’s sixth annual report, global emissions need to be cut by at least 43 percent from 2019 levels by 2030 to keep global temperatures within the 1.5 degrees Celsius limit. However, if CO₂ emissions continue at their current rate, the remaining carbon budget is expected to be used up within five years. As such, a rapid acceleration in emission cuts is needed. Proven technologies like wind and solar PV are expected to account for the largest share of cumulative emissions savings from 2022 to 2050 under the IEA’s Net Zero Scenario, while technologies in early adoption, like carbon removal and carbon capture, are also expected to play a crucial role in limiting global temperatures.
This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
Published by Ian Tiseo, Jan 11, 2024

Key insights

Global GHG emissions
53.8 GtCO₂e
Biggest CO₂ emitter in history
United States
Atmospheric CO₂ concentration
418.56 ppm
Get more insights

Editor’s Picks Current statistics on this topic

Annual carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1940 to 2023 (in billion metric tons)

Emissions

Annual global emissions of carbon dioxide 1940-2023

Distribution of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2022, by select country

Emissions

Largest global emitters of carbon dioxide 2022, by country

Average carbon dioxide (CO₂) levels in the atmosphere worldwide from 1959 to 2023 (in parts per million)

Emissions

Global atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration 1959-2023

Related topics

Recommended

14

Recommended statistics

Overview

5

Overview

Greenhouse gas emissions

6

Greenhouse gas emissions

Key emitters

6

Key emitters

Sectors

5

Sectors

Outlook

5

Outlook

Further reportsGet the best reports to understand your industry

Global climate change
Global climate change
Greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
Greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.
Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU
Greenhouse gas emissions in the EU
Climate change and emissions in China
Climate change and emissions in China
Transportation emissions in the U.S.
Transportation emissions in the U.S.
Environmental effects of COVID-19
Environmental effects of COVID-19
Climate change and emissions in Japan
Climate change and emissions in Japan
Transportation emissions worldwide
Transportation emissions worldwide
Environmental impacts of the food industry
Environmental impacts of the food industry
Greenhouse gas emissions in India
Greenhouse gas emissions in India
Carbon capture and storage worldwide
Carbon capture and storage worldwide
Methane emissions worldwide
Methane emissions worldwide
Agriculture emissions worldwide
Agriculture emissions worldwide
Coal emissions worldwide
Coal emissions worldwide
Carbon removal worldwide
Carbon removal worldwide
Cleantech in the U.S.
Cleantech in the U.S.

Contact

Get in touch with us. We are happy to help.
Statista Locations
Contact Meredith Alda
Meredith Alda
Sales Manager– Contact (United States)
Email
support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Contact Yolanda Mega
Yolanda Mega
Operations Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 5pm (SGT)

Contact Kisara Mizuno
Kisara Mizuno
Senior Business Development Manager– Contact (Asia)
Email
asia.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 10:00am - 6:00pm (JST)

Contact Lodovica Biagi
Lodovica Biagi
Director of Operations– Contact (Europe)
Email
eu.support@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9:30am - 5pm (GMT)

Contact Carolina Dulin
Carolina Dulin
Group Director - LATAM– Contact (Latin America)
Email
latam@statista.com

Mon - Fri, 9am - 6pm (EST)

Menu