The record-breaking cloud of 54.8 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases we added to the atmosphere in 2023 tells a stark story, unpacked through statistics showing that fossil fuels still drive 92% of global emissions while sectors like steel, cement, and agriculture continue to be major contributors.
Key Takeaways
- Global anthropogenic CO2 emissions reached 36.8 GtCO2 in 2021, with fossil fuels and industrial processes accounting for 92% of total GHG emissions.
- In 2022, total global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement were 37.1 GtCO2, up 1.1% from 2021.
- Land-use change contributed 1.1 GtCO2 emissions globally in 2022, representing about 3% of total emissions.
- China's CO2 emissions in 2022 were 11.9 GtCO2, 32% of global total.
- United States emitted 5.0 GtCO2 in 2022, 13.5% of world total.
- India's emissions reached 2.8 GtCO2 in 2022, up 4.7% YoY.
- Energy sector global emissions: 35.6 GtCO2 in 2022, 95% of total.
- Coal power plants emitted 14.5 GtCO2 worldwide in 2022.
- Oil consumption led to 11.5 GtCO2 emissions in 2022.
- Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels grew 1.1% annually from 1960-2022.
- From 1990-2022, global GHG emissions rose 54%.
- CO2 emissions declined 5.3% in 2020 due to COVID.
- Under current policies, global emissions peak by 2030 at 38 GtCO2.
- Net zero requires 43 GtCO2e cuts by 2050 from 2020 levels.
- 1.5°C scenario: emissions fall 45% by 2030 from 2010.
Global emissions have reached record highs, demanding urgent and drastic reductions.
Country Emissions
- China's CO2 emissions in 2022 were 11.9 GtCO2, 32% of global total.
- United States emitted 5.0 GtCO2 in 2022, 13.5% of world total.
- India's emissions reached 2.8 GtCO2 in 2022, up 4.7% YoY.
- EU27 total CO2 emissions: 2.8 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Russia's emissions: 1.7 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Japan's CO2: 1.1 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Germany's emissions fell to 0.67 GtCO2 in 2022.
- UK's total GHG emissions: 0.42 GtCO2e in 2022.
- Brazil's emissions: 1.2 GtCO2e, driven by land use.
- Indonesia emitted 0.8 GtCO2 in 2022, mostly deforestation.
- Canada's CO2: 0.56 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Australia's emissions: 0.41 GtCO2 in 2022.
- South Korea: 0.64 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Iran's emissions: 0.78 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Saudi Arabia: 0.67 GtCO2 in 2022.
- South Africa: 0.44 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Mexico: 0.47 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Poland: 0.31 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Turkey: 0.44 GtCO2 in 2022.
- United States per capita CO2: 14.4 t/person in 2022.
- China per capita: 8.4 tCO2/person in 2022.
- EU per capita: 6.2 tCO2/person in 2022.
- India per capita: 2.0 tCO2/person in 2022.
Country Emissions Interpretation
It's a sobering global math test where China is the runaway top scorer by volume, but the US wins the gold for per capita overconsumption, proving we all need to drastically curb our collective carbon appetite.
Global Emissions
- Global anthropogenic CO2 emissions reached 36.8 GtCO2 in 2021, with fossil fuels and industrial processes accounting for 92% of total GHG emissions.
- In 2022, total global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement were 37.1 GtCO2, up 1.1% from 2021.
- Land-use change contributed 1.1 GtCO2 emissions globally in 2022, representing about 3% of total emissions.
- Global GHG emissions excluding land use were 53.6 GtCO2e in 2022, a record high.
- Cumulative CO2 emissions from 1850-2021 total 2463 GtCO2, responsible for current warming.
- In 2019, global CO2 emissions were 36.4 Gt, with aviation contributing 2.1% or 0.76 GtCO2.
- Total global emissions of all GHGs were 59 GtCO2e in 2019.
- Fossil CO2 emissions grew by 0.9% in 2023 to approximately 37.4 GtCO2.
- In 2020, pandemic reduced global CO2 emissions by 5.4% to 34.7 GtCO2.
- Methane emissions globally were 376 MtCH4 in 2020, equivalent to 8.5 GtCO2e.
- N2O emissions worldwide totaled 7.5 MtN2O in 2019, or 2.2 GtCO2e.
- Fluorinated gases contributed 1.9 GtCO2e globally in 2022.
- Total GHG emissions peaked at 54.8 GtCO2e in 2023 excluding LULUCF.
- Global bunkers (international shipping/aviation) emitted 1.3 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Cement production emitted 2.3 GtCO2 globally in 2022.
- Steel industry global emissions were 2.6 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Global electricity generation emitted 14.5 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Transport sector global CO2 emissions: 8.3 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Buildings sector emitted 3.0 GtCO2 globally from final energy use in 2022.
- Industry direct emissions globally: 9.8 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Agriculture, forestry, other land use emitted 12.8 GtCO2e globally in 2022.
- Waste sector global emissions: 1.4 GtCO2e in 2022.
- Global CO2 concentration reached 419 ppm in 2023.
- Annual increase in atmospheric CO2 was 2.4 ppm in 2023.
- Global radiative forcing from CO2 is 2.16 W/m² as of 2021.
- Total anthropogenic GHG radiative forcing: 3.0 W/m² in 2021.
- Global emissions per capita CO2: 4.7 tCO2/person in 2022.
- Cumulative emissions per capita since 1750: 35 tCO2/person globally.
Global Emissions Interpretation
Humanity is setting the atmospheric table with a lavish, multi-gigaton feast of fossil fuel emissions, and we are all—regrettably—compelled to attend the resulting climate chaos.
Projections
- Under current policies, global emissions peak by 2030 at 38 GtCO2.
- Net zero requires 43 GtCO2e cuts by 2050 from 2020 levels.
- 1.5°C scenario: emissions fall 45% by 2030 from 2010.
- Global CO2 projected 37.8 Gt in 2024.
- China emissions peak before 2030, decline to 6 Gt by 2050 in net zero.
- US to cut 50-52% by 2030 from 2005.
- EU aims 55% cut by 2030 from 1990.
- India emissions to double to 5 Gt by 2030.
- Coal phase-out: emissions from coal to zero by 2050 in 1.5C path.
- Oil demand peaks 2026 at 103 Mb/d, falls to 24 Mb/d by 2050 net zero.
- Gas demand peaks mid-2025s, halves by 2050.
- Renewables to supply 90% electricity by 2050.
- EVs to cut transport emissions 40% by 2030.
- CCS needed for 7.6 GtCO2/yr by 2050.
- Hydrogen to abate 2 GtCO2/yr in industry by 2050.
- Deforestation emissions to near zero by 2050 required.
- Methane cuts of 45% by 2030 for 1.5C.
- Aviation sustainable fuels: 65 GtCO2 abatement by 2050.
- Shipping: 100% zero-carbon fuels by 2050.
- Global temperature +1.5C if emissions halved by 2030.
- 2°C budget: 500 GtCO2 remaining from 2020.
Projections Interpretation
Our projected "peak" in 2030 feels less like a summit and more like a leisurely stroll towards a cliff, given the breakneck speed of cuts required immediately after to even have a fighting chance at net zero.
Sector Emissions
- Energy sector global emissions: 35.6 GtCO2 in 2022, 95% of total.
- Coal power plants emitted 14.5 GtCO2 worldwide in 2022.
- Oil consumption led to 11.5 GtCO2 emissions in 2022.
- Natural gas: 8.0 GtCO2 global emissions in 2022.
- Transport road vehicles: 6.7 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Aviation CO2: 1.0 GtCO2 in 2022 post-COVID.
- Shipping international: 0.99 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Cement: 2.3 GtCO2 process + fuel in 2022.
- Iron & steel: 2.0 GtCO2 process emissions alone in 2022.
- Chemicals industry: 1.2 GtCO2 in 2022.
- Agriculture enteric fermentation: 2.5 GtCO2e methane in 2022.
- Rice cultivation: 0.5 GtCO2e CH4 globally in 2022.
- Manure management: 1.0 GtCO2e NH3/CH4/N2O in 2022.
- Electricity & heat: 25% of global GHG emissions in 2022.
- Industry: 24% of global GHG in 2022.
- Agriculture forestry fishing: 22% global GHG 2022.
- Transport: 15% global CO2 in 2022.
- Buildings: 6% direct emissions globally 2022.
- Fugitive emissions oil/gas: 1.6 GtCO2e in 2022.
- Wastewater treatment: 0.6 GtCO2e CH4/N2O 2022.
- Coal mining CH4: 0.4 GtCO2e globally 2022.
- Food & drink processing: 1.5 GtCO2 2022.
- Textiles & leather: 0.8 GtCO2 global 2022.
- Pulp & paper: 0.6 GtCO2 worldwide 2022.
Sector Emissions Interpretation
Reading these numbers, it's almost impressive how we've engineered the entire planet to be a remarkably efficient, self-assembling oven, powered predominantly by setting ancient forests and dinosaurs on fire.
Trends
- Global CO2 emissions from fossil fuels grew 1.1% annually from 1960-2022.
- From 1990-2022, global GHG emissions rose 54%.
- CO2 emissions declined 5.3% in 2020 due to COVID.
- Post-2020 rebound: +6% CO2 emissions in 2021.
- Since 2000, China’s emissions tripled to 11 GtCO2 by 2022.
- US emissions down 20% from 2005 peak by 2022.
- EU emissions decreased 32% 1990-2022.
- Coal use emissions peaked globally in 2013 at 14.7 GtCO2.
- Oil emissions stable 2010-2019, then dropped 2020.
- Renewables growth offset coal decline partially since 2015.
- Methane emissions rose 10% 2000-2020.
- Deforestation emissions halved since 2001 peak.
- Global per capita emissions peaked 2012 at 5 tCO2/person.
- Cumulative 1850-2021 CO2: 70% from fossil fuels.
- 1950-1980 emissions doubled from 6 to 15 GtCO2.
- 1980-2000: emissions rose 40% to 23 GtCO2.
- Aviation emissions tripled 1990-2019.
- Cement emissions up 60% since 2000.
- Steel emissions increased 25% 2000-2022 despite efficiency.
- Electricity demand emissions decoupled in EU since 2005.
- Global coal emissions flat 2013-2019, then rose.
- Transport emissions up 60% since 1990.
- Building emissions stable despite population growth.
- Ag emissions grew 15% 2000-2020.
Trends Interpretation
We've become alarmingly adept at playing climate whack-a-mole, where every flicker of progress in one region or sector is promptly countered by a surge of emissions from another, proving our global addiction to carbon is far from cured.
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