Gitnux/Report 2026

Carbon Emissions Statistics

With 510 GW of renewable capacity added in 2023 and voluntary carbon credit prices averaging $4.11 per tCO2e, the page tracks how fast climate action is scaling even as global energy related CO2 emissions stay in a tight band around 36.8 to 37.4 GtCO2e. It connects sector pressure points and methane detail with signals like 0.42 tCO2 per MWh for electricity and 70% global LED penetration, so you see exactly where reductions are winning and where they are not.
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Carbon Emissions Statistics
Aisha OkonkwoWritten by Aisha Okonkwo·Edited by Rajesh Patel·Fact-checked by Rebecca Hargrove
Last verified Jul 3, 2026
Verified via a 4-step process
01Source

Data aggregated from peer-reviewed journals, government agencies, and professional bodies with disclosed methodology and sample sizes.

02Verify

Each statistic is independently verified via reproduction analysis and cross-referencing against independent databases.

03Grade

Figures are graded by cross-model consensus. Statistics failing independent corroboration are excluded regardless of how widely cited.

04Cite

Every figure carries a primary source. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates so the report can be cited.

Read our full methodology →

Statistics that fail independent corroboration are excluded.

Next review Jan 2027
Global greenhouse gas emissions reached 59 GtCO2e in 2019, with CO2 making up 76% of the total. Since then, energy-related emissions rose to 37.4 GtCO2e in 2022 after dipping to 36.8 GtCO2e in 2021. The article maps how power and transport drive the totals and how methane, efficiency, and mitigation shifts change the picture across sectors.

Key Takeaways

  • 59 GtCO2e global greenhouse-gas emissions in 2019
  • 76% of global greenhouse-gas emissions in 2019 were CO2
  • 36.8 GtCO2e in 2022 global methane emissions
  • Oil and gas methane emissions were 9.0–10.0 MtCH4 in 2023 (high estimate range)
  • Global emissions from buildings were 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
  • Industry accounted for 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
  • Global coal-related CO2 emissions were 14.5 Gt in 2022
  • Global oil-related CO2 emissions were 10.8 Gt in 2022
  • Global natural gas-related CO2 emissions were 6.0 Gt in 2022
  • Global average CO2 emissions per unit of electricity decreased slightly to 0.42 tCO2/MWh in 2023
  • In 2022, energy intensity improved by 1.0% in emerging market and developing economies
  • Industrial energy intensity improved by 1.2% in 2022
  • In 2023, heat pumps were responsible for about 10% of new space heating equipment sales in the EU
  • In 2023, global EV stock surpassed 40 million vehicles
  • In 2023, renewable energy added 510 GW of capacity globally

In 2022, energy related CO2 reached 37.4 Gt, while 2023 saw EV growth and renewables adding 510 GW.

Related reading

01 · Category

Global Emissions6 stats

01
59 GtCO2e global greenhouse-gas emissions in 2019
02
76% of global greenhouse-gas emissions in 2019 were CO2
03
36.8 GtCO2e in 2022 global methane emissions
04
37.4 GtCO2e global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
05
36.8 GtCO2e global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2021
06
37.0 GtCO2e global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020
Interpretation

Global Emissions Interpretation

Within the Global Emissions picture, total greenhouse-gas emissions reached 59 GtCO2e in 2019 and then energy related CO2 emissions dipped from 37.0 GtCO2e in 2020 to 36.8 GtCO2e in 2021 before edging up to 37.4 GtCO2e in 2022, showing only modest year to year movement even as methane alone stayed at 36.8 GtCO2e in 2022.

02 · Category

Sector Breakdown8 stats

01
Oil and gas methane emissions were 9.0–10.0 MtCH4 in 2023 (high estimate range)
02
Global emissions from buildings were 37% of energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
03
Industry accounted for 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
04
Transport accounted for 24% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
05
Power sector accounted for 42% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2022
06
Road transport produced 72% of transport sector CO2 in 2019
07
Steel production accounted for 7.2% of global energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020
08
Cement production accounted for about 6% of global CO2 emissions in 2021
Interpretation

Sector Breakdown Interpretation

From a sector breakdown perspective, power is the biggest source of energy related CO2 at 42% in 2022, matching the combined prominence of transport and industry at 24% each, while road transport makes up 72% of transport sector CO2 in 2019.

03 · Category

Energy & Fuel3 stats

01
Global coal-related CO2 emissions were 14.5 Gt in 2022
02
Global oil-related CO2 emissions were 10.8 Gt in 2022
03
Global natural gas-related CO2 emissions were 6.0 Gt in 2022
Interpretation

Energy & Fuel Interpretation

Under the Energy and Fuel lens, coal remains the biggest driver of 2022 emissions at 14.5 Gt CO2, far ahead of oil at 10.8 Gt and natural gas at 6.0 Gt.

More related reading

04 · Category

Energy Efficiency5 stats

01
Global average CO2 emissions per unit of electricity decreased slightly to 0.42 tCO2/MWh in 2023
02
In 2022, energy intensity improved by 1.0% in emerging market and developing economies
03
Industrial energy intensity improved by 1.2% in 2022
04
Transportation energy intensity improved by 1.1% in 2022
05
In 2023, LED lighting penetration reached 70% globally (IEA estimate)
Interpretation

Energy Efficiency Interpretation

Energy efficiency progress is evident as global CO2 emissions per unit of electricity slipped to 0.42 tCO2/MWh in 2023 and multiple sectors improved in 2022, with industrial energy intensity up 1.2%, transportation up 1.1%, and LED lighting reaching 70% penetration globally by 2023.

05 · Category

Technology & Mitigation7 stats

01
In 2023, heat pumps were responsible for about 10% of new space heating equipment sales in the EU
02
In 2023, global EV stock surpassed 40 million vehicles
03
In 2023, renewable energy added 510 GW of capacity globally
04
In 2023, global DACCS capacity was about 0.017 MtCO2/year (IEA estimate)
05
In 2023, the global CO2 removals market reached $2.2 billion
06
In 2023, average prices for carbon credits in voluntary markets were $4.11per tCO2e (median/average per report)
07
In 2023, global capacity for solar PV was about 1,486 GW
Interpretation

Technology & Mitigation Interpretation

Technology and mitigation are scaling quickly in 2023, with renewable power adding 510 GW worldwide and global EV stocks topping 40 million while heat pumps took about 10% of new space heating sales and DACCS reached roughly 0.017 MtCO2 per year.
report visual · Projection

Carbon emissions levels (energy-related CO2) over time

Energy-related CO2 emissions change over recent years, providing a quick time-series view.

37 GtCO2e
Start
+0.54%
CAGR · 2y
37.4 GtCO2e
Projected
20222024
source-verifiediea.org2022
Reference

Cite This Report

This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.

APA
Aisha Okonkwo. (2026, February 13). Carbon Emissions Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/carbon-emissions-statistics
MLA
Aisha Okonkwo. "Carbon Emissions Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/carbon-emissions-statistics.
Chicago
Aisha Okonkwo. 2026. "Carbon Emissions Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/carbon-emissions-statistics.

Sources & references

29 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level

ipcc.chourworldindata.orgglobalmethane.orgiea.orgember-climate.orgirena.orgpeci.co.ukecosystemmarketplace.com

+21 additional datasets cited (not shown individually)