Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country: Tracking Global Impact
A deep dive into the sources, trends, and key players behind worldwide greenhouse gas emissions and their environmental impact.
Understanding Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are central to the climate crisis, as these gases trap heat in the atmosphere and drive global warming. However, the contributions to global emissions are not equally distributed. A handful of countries, sectors, and even cities are responsible for the greatest shares of GHG emissions, making targeted action both complex and critical. This article unpacks the global landscape of greenhouse gas emissions, investigating which countries emit the most, trends over time, sectoral sources, per capita comparisons, and the outlook for future reductions.
What Are Greenhouse Gases?
Greenhouse gases are atmospheric gases that absorb and emit radiant heat, creating the greenhouse effect that regulates Earth’s temperature. The main greenhouse gases include:
- Carbon Dioxide (CO₂): The most abundant GHG, primarily released by burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas.
- Methane (CH₄): Emitted during the production and transport of coal, oil, and natural gas, and as a byproduct of agriculture and livestock.
- Nitrous Oxide (N₂O): Linked mainly to fertilizer use, as well as fossil fuel combustion and various industrial activities.
- Fluorinated Gases: A group of synthetic gases used in air conditioning, refrigeration, and manufacturing, which can be many times more potent than CO₂ in terms of warming potential.
All these gases have different “global warming potentials” (GWPs), with fluorinated gases and methane being much more powerful than CO₂ at trapping heat, even though they are released in smaller quantities.
Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Current Overview
Annual greenhouse gas emissions have risen steadily for decades. According to the Global Carbon Project and International Energy Agency (IEA):
- In 2022, global emissions of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry alone reached approximately 41.3 gigatonnes of CO₂.
- Total cumulative carbon emissions since the industrial revolution (1870–2022) are estimated to be 703 gigatonnes of carbon (GtC).
The principal drivers of these emissions are industrial activity, energy generation, transportation, agriculture, and waste management.
Top Ten Greenhouse Gas Emitting Countries
Just a short list of nations is responsible for most of the global greenhouse gas emissions.
| Rank | Country/Bloc | Share of Global Emissions (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 30 |
| 2 | United States | 14 |
| 3 | India | 7 |
| 4 | European Union (EU-27) | 7 |
| 5 | Russia | 5 |
| 6 | Japan | 3 |
| 7 | Iran | 2 |
| 8 | Saudi Arabia | 2 |
| 9 | South Korea | 2 |
| 10 | Indonesia | 2 |
Together, these top ten emitters are responsible for about two-thirds of global CO₂ emissions. China’s emissions have grown rapidly over the past two decades, while the U.S. and EU—although among the highest historical emitters—have seen their shares decrease relative to global totals due to economic changes, energy transitions, and climate policies.
The Role of Major Producers and Companies
Not only countries but also specific producers and companies play an outsized role. A 2023 analysis found:
- Just 57 producers (nations and companies) are linked to around 80% of global CO₂ emissions since 2016.
- State-owned fossil fuel giants such as Saudi Aramco, Gazprom, and the National Iranian Oil Company are top contributors.
- Among private companies, Chevron, ExxonMobil, and BP lead global CO₂ emissions from investor-owned entities.
This concentration means that industrial actions and commitments made by a small group of players could significantly shift global trends.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Sector
Not all sectors contribute equally to greenhouse gas emissions. The key emitting sectors globally include:
What others are reading
- Energy Production: Electricity and heat generation, mostly from burning fossil fuels, account for the largest share—about 35% of total emissions.
- Industry: Cement, steel, chemicals, and other manufacturing processes account for around 21%.
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Land Use: Deforestation, livestock (methane from cattle), and fertilizer use comprise about 18%.
- Transportation: Emissions from vehicles, ships, and planes contribute roughly 14%.
- Buildings: Energy use in residential and commercial buildings (heating, cooling, lighting) adds about 6%.
- Waste Management: Landfills, wastewater, and similar sources contribute the remainder.
Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions
While total emissions are highest in countries with large populations and industrial output, per capita emissions tell another story. Wealthier nations typically have much higher GHG emissions per person. For example:
- United States: Roughly 14–15 tonnes per person per year.
- Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia: Also have very high per capita emissions.
- European Union: About 6–7 tonnes per person per year.
- China: Around 8 tonnes per person per year and rising.
- India: Less than 2 tonnes per person per year.
These differences highlight issues of equity and responsibility, particularly as developing nations argue for fairer treatment in international climate agreements.
Historic Emissions and Cumulative Impact
The climate impact of each country’s emissions depends not just on current output, but also on historical emissions. Developed countries in Europe and North America have contributed a disproportionate share of emissions since the start of the industrial era, which is crucial for discussions about reparations, climate finance, and fairness in global negotiations.
For instance:
- The United States has emitted more CO₂ cumulatively than any other nation.
- The EU countries (combined) are also major historical contributors.
- China, while the current top emitter by annual output, has a smaller share of the historical total due to later industrialization.
Cities and Regional Differences
Cities are GHG hotspots: Over half of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions are linked to just 25 major cities, especially in Asia. Urban areas in developed countries have significantly higher per capita GHG emissions than similar-sized developing cities.
Trends: Recent Progress and Setbacks
Some positive trends have emerged in certain countries, usually those investing heavily in renewable energy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization. However, progress is uneven and at risk of reversal:
- Global emissions dipped briefly due to the COVID-19 pandemic but rebounded to near-record levels as economies recovered.
- Despite international agreements like the Paris Accord, most major emitters have not reduced emissions at the pace necessary to stay below 2°C of warming.
- State-owned and private fossil fuel producers, including some of the largest companies and nations, increased overall production between 2016 and 2022, following the Paris Agreement.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions: By Percentage Change
Some nations have dramatically increased or decreased their emissions over recent decades—often linked to economic shifts, energy policies, or technological changes:
- Cambodia, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Nepal: Saw emissions rise more than 400% since 1990, albeit from relatively low bases.
- Lithuania, Slovenia, Zimbabwe: Notable declines (some over 30%) since peaking in the 1990s.
This divergence reveals the importance of sustainable development assistance and the need for climate investments that enable low-emission growth.
Sector-Specific Case: The Role of Agriculture and Land Use
Agriculture and land use are significant greenhouse gas sources, especially in developing countries. Deforestation, clearing land for crops or livestock, rice cultivation, and fertilizer use add up to a large part of non-CO₂ GHGs. Solutions include:
- Adopting climate-smart farming techniques.
- Protecting and restoring forests.
- Improving livestock management and developing methane-reducing technologies.
Action and Policy: Addressing Global Emissions
Tackling climate change requires coordinated international, national, and local efforts. Key strategies include:
- Transitioning to renewable energy: Solar, wind, and hydropower expansion reduce fossil fuel reliance.
- Improving energy efficiency: Retrofitting buildings, upgrading industrial processes, and electrifying transportation.
- Carbon pricing: Taxes or trading systems can incentivize companies to reduce emissions.
- International cooperation: Agreements such as the Paris Agreement provide frameworks for joint action.
- Supporting innovation: Investing in carbon capture, storage, and alternative fuels can help decarbonize heavy industry.
Developed nations are also called upon to provide climate finance and technology transfer to assist developing countries in adopting clean technologies and adapting to climate impacts.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country
Q: Which country currently emits the most greenhouse gases?
A: China is currently the world’s largest annual GHG emitter, contributing about 30% of total annual CO₂ emissions, driven largely by its massive industrial sector and coal-fired power plants.
Q: Which countries have the highest GHG emissions per capita?
A: Countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and Saudi Arabia have the highest per capita emissions due to energy-intensive industries and high fossil fuel consumption per person.
Q: Why do historical emissions matter?
A: Historical emissions are key because greenhouse gases can persist in the atmosphere for centuries. Countries with higher cumulative emissions have contributed more to current climate change, and thus have greater responsibility in climate negotiations.
Q: What sectors are the biggest GHG emitters globally?
A: The top sectors are energy production, industry, agriculture and land use, transportation, and buildings.
Q: Can countries achieve net-zero emissions?
A: Many nations have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century by investing in renewables, enhancing carbon sinks, and adopting emission-reducing technologies. Achieving these goals will require major transformation of energy, industrial, and agricultural systems.
Key Takeaways and Outlook
- Most global greenhouse gas emissions come from a handful of large countries and companies.
- Per capita emissions, historical contributions, and economic factors are essential for understanding climate responsibility.
- Rapid, coordinated emissions reductions are necessary to keep global warming within safe limits, requiring action across all sectors and countries.
Understanding greenhouse gas emissions by country and sector is critical to designing fair and effective climate strategies. All nations have a stake in the future of the planet, but those with the largest contributions—both current and historical—have the biggest role to play in shaping a sustainable path forward.
References
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greenhouse_gas_emissions
- https://www.carbonbrief.org/daily-brief/majority-of-co2-emissions-linked-to-57-producers-and-countries-report-says/
- https://www.weforum.org/stories/2021/07/greenhouse-gas-emissions-mega-city-country/
- https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/co-emissions-per-capita
- https://www.sei.org/about-sei/press-room/op-ed-treehugger-nature-based-curricula-stockholm50-report/
- https://www.cooleffect.org/press-entry/treehugger-2
- https://wmo.int/media/news/record-carbon-emissions-highlight-urgency-of-global-greenhouse-gas-watch
Similar Articles
Read full bio of Sneha Tete
