Every time you breathe in, you're inhaling air with 50% more CO2 than in 1750, and by unpacking the staggering statistics behind our global carbon footprint, from the foods we eat to the industries that power our world, we can begin to understand both the scale of the challenge and the paths toward a lighter future.
Key Takeaways
- Global anthropogenic CO2 emissions reached 36.6 GtCO2 in 2019, equivalent to 4.7% annual increase over the decade
- Total global greenhouse gas emissions were 59 GtCO2eq in 2019, with CO2 comprising 74%
- Fossil fuel combustion accounted for 86% of global CO2 emissions in 2022 at 37.1 GtCO2
- Electricity and heat production emitted 14.6 GtCO2 globally in 2020
- Coal power plants contributed 9.5 GtCO2 worldwide in 2022
- Global oil refining emissions 1.2 GtCO2 in 2021
- Transport sector emitted 8.7 GtCO2 globally in 2019, 24% of total
- Road transport CO2 6.8 Gt in 2022 worldwide
- Passenger cars emitted 3.5 GtCO2 globally in 2020
- Cement production emitted 2.3 GtCO2 globally in 2022, 8% of total anthropogenic
- Steel industry global emissions 7.8% of total CO2 at 2.6 GtCO2 in 2020
- Chemical sector emitted 1.8 GtCO2 in 2021 worldwide
- China emitted 11.9 GtCO2 in 2022, 30% of global total
- US CO2 emissions 4.7 Gt in 2022, down 0.8% from 2021
- EU27 GHG emissions 3.3 GtCO2eq in 2022, 17% below 1990
The blog post details alarmingly high global emissions from nearly every human activity.
Energy Sector Emissions
- Electricity and heat production emitted 14.6 GtCO2 globally in 2020
- Coal power plants contributed 9.5 GtCO2 worldwide in 2022
- Global oil refining emissions 1.2 GtCO2 in 2021
- Natural gas production and processing emitted 1.0 GtCO2eq methane leakage equivalent in 2022
- Hydropower reservoirs emitted 0.3 GtCO2eq/yr globally from methane
- Nuclear power has near-zero operational CO2 emissions at 12 gCO2/kWh lifecycle
- Global solar PV lifecycle emissions average 41 gCO2/kWh
- Wind onshore lifecycle CO2 11 gCO2/kWh globally
- Energy sector accounts for 73.2% of global GHG emissions
- Coal-fired power emissions intensity 820 gCO2/kWh average globally
- Gas combined cycle plants emit 340 gCO2/kWh
- Global energy-related CO2 from buildings 3.5 GtCO2 in 2022
- Industry direct energy use emissions 8.2 GtCO2 in 2021
- Fugitive emissions from energy sector 1.4 GtCO2eq in 2019
- Bioenergy emissions lifecycle vary 230 gCO2eq/MJ for wood chips
- CCS captured 43 MtCO2 globally in 2022 from energy projects
- Energy efficiency improvements reduced emissions by 2.2 GtCO2 globally 2010-2019
- Renewables share in electricity grew to 29% in 2022, displacing 0.7 GtCO2
- Global power sector emissions 13.8 GtCO2 in 2023
Energy Sector Emissions Interpretation
Coal, with its industrial-scale belch of 9.5 GtCO2, clearly remains the planet's worst party guest, stubbornly drowning out the polite conversation from wind and solar, whose near-whispers of 11-41 gCO2/kWh show how we could actually clean up this mess.
Global Carbon Footprint Statistics
- Global anthropogenic CO2 emissions reached 36.6 GtCO2 in 2019, equivalent to 4.7% annual increase over the decade
- Total global greenhouse gas emissions were 59 GtCO2eq in 2019, with CO2 comprising 74%
- Fossil fuel combustion accounted for 86% of global CO2 emissions in 2022 at 37.1 GtCO2
- Cumulative CO2 emissions from 1850-2021 total 2473 GtCO2, with 58% post-1980
- Global methane emissions from human activities hit 359 MtCH4 in 2020, equivalent to 10.4 GtCO2eq
- N2O emissions globally were 7.0 MtN2O in 2019, or 2.1 GtCO2eq, mainly from agriculture
- Global CO2 emissions rebounded 5.7% in 2021 to 37.9 GtCO2 post-COVID dip
- Land-use change emissions contributed 1.5 GtCO2 per year average 2010-2019 globally
- Global emissions per capita averaged 4.7 tCO2 in 2021, up from 4.2 t in 2019
- Aviation contributed 2.5% of global CO2 emissions in 2019 at 0.92 GtCO2
- Shipping emitted 1.07 GtCO2 in 2018, 2.9% of global total
- Cement production emitted 2.3 GtCO2 globally in 2022, 6% of total
- Steel industry global emissions were 2.6 GtCO2 in 2020
- Global electricity generation emitted 12.5 GtCO2 in 2022
- Flare gas emissions worldwide totaled 350 MtCO2eq in 2022
- Global HFC emissions equivalent to 0.9 GtCO2eq in 2020
- Total global GHG emissions grew 1.1% annually from 2000-2019 to 59 GtCO2eq
- CO2 concentration in atmosphere hit 419 ppm in 2023, up 2.5 ppm/year average
- Global carbon budget sink from oceans absorbed 2.9 GtC/yr 2012-2021
- Land sinks removed 3.3 GtC/yr globally 2012-2021 on average
- Global emissions from fossil CO2 rose 0.9% to 37.1 Gt in 2022
- International aviation and shipping emitted 1.2 GtCO2 combined in 2019
- Global coal emissions peaked at 15 GtCO2 in 2023 projections
- Oil emissions globally 11.6 GtCO2 in 2022
- Natural gas CO2 emissions 8.5 GtCO2 worldwide in 2022
- Global biomass burning emissions 2.5 GtCO2/yr average 2000-2020
- SF6 emissions globally 0.03 MtCO2eq in 2020
- Global PFCs emissions 0.02 GtCO2eq annually
- Total radiative forcing from GHGs reached 3.2 W/m² in 2023
- Global CO2 emissions from industry 10 GtCO2 in 2021
Global Carbon Footprint Statistics Interpretation
While we’ve meticulously accounted for every belching smokestack, every gas-guzzling flight, and even our concrete addiction, the planet’s memo—that we’re essentially setting the thermostat with a flamethrower—seems to have been left unread.
Individual and Household Carbon Footprints
- Average US household carbon footprint 48 tons CO2eq/yr in 2021
- Average EU household emits 10.5 tCO2eq/yr
- UK average person 6.7 tCO2/yr in 2021
- Global average per capita CO2 4.7 t in 2021
- US per capita 14.7 tCO2/yr 2022
- China per capita 8.2 tCO2/yr 2022
- India per capita 2.0 tCO2/yr 2022
- Home energy use 25% of household footprint in US, 15 tCO2eq/yr
- Transportation 29% US household average 16 tCO2eq/yr
- Food 13% US household 7 tCO2eq/yr
- Average meat-eater diet 3.3 tCO2eq/yr vs vegan 1.5 t
- Flying 1 roundtrip US-Europe adds 1.6 tCO2/pax
- Daily commute 30km car adds 2 tCO2/yr
- Home heating oil 2.5 tCO2/yr for average house
- Streaming video 1hr adds 0.2 kgCO2
- Cotton t-shirt production 2.6 kgCO2
- Smartphone manufacturing 50-100 kgCO2
- Laundry wash hot water 0.5 kgCO2/load
- Beef burger 3 kgCO2eq vs chicken 0.5 kg
- Recycling aluminum saves 95% emissions vs virgin, 8 kgCO2/t
- LED bulb lifecycle 30 gCO2 vs incandescent 1000g
Individual and Household Carbon Footprints Interpretation
Americans emit household carbon footprints as large as small nations, yet still fret over the emissions from their cheeseburgers, while Europeans cruise by on bikes with smug, lower numbers, proving that living lightly is less about giving up flights and more about giving up the sheer volume of everything.
Industrial and Agricultural Emissions
- Cement production emitted 2.3 GtCO2 globally in 2022, 8% of total anthropogenic
- Steel industry global emissions 7.8% of total CO2 at 2.6 GtCO2 in 2020
- Chemical sector emitted 1.8 GtCO2 in 2021 worldwide
- Aluminium production 0.6 GtCO2 globally from electrolysis
- Agriculture direct emissions 5.7 GtCO2eq in 2019, 12% global
- Rice cultivation methane 0.5 GtCO2eq/yr global
- Enteric fermentation from cattle 2.0 GtCO2eq globally 2020
- Manure management N2O 0.4 GtCO2eq/yr worldwide
- Synthetic fertilizers emissions 1.2 GtCO2eq from N2O globally
- Food loss and waste 8-10% global GHG at 3.3 GtCO2eq/yr
- Deforestation emissions 4.1 GtCO2eq/yr 2000-2019 average
- Crop residue burning 0.8 GtCO2/yr global
- Pulp and paper industry 0.7 GtCO2 in 2020
- Textiles manufacturing emitted 1.2 GtCO2eq/yr
- Glass production 0.2 GtCO2 globally 2021
- Plastics production 1.8 GtCO2eq/yr from fossil feedstocks
- Mining emissions 1.0 GtCO2 globally from energy use
- Agricultural soil carbon loss 1.0 GtC/yr global
- Livestock feed production emissions 2.5 GtCO2eq/yr
- Fisheries GHG footprint 0.6 GtCO2eq/yr globally
Industrial and Agricultural Emissions Interpretation
Our infrastructure, diet, and entire way of life seem to be conducting a grim symphony of industrial and agricultural emissions, where building the modern world and feeding its population are the two lead conductors.
Mitigation and Reduction Statistics
- CCS projects captured 40 MtCO2 globally in 2023, 0.1% of emissions
- Renewables avoided 2.5 GtCO2 globally 2015-2022
- Energy efficiency saved 3 GtCO2eq/yr by 2022
- Afforestation sequestered 0.5 GtCO2/yr potential
- EU ETS reduced emissions 35% in covered sectors 2005-2022
- Electric vehicles global stock 40 million by 2023, cutting 0.2 GtCO2/yr
- Paris Agreement NDCs cover 75% emissions, aim 45% cut by 2030
- Reforestation projects offset 0.3 GtCO2eq/yr verified
- Wind power capacity 900 GW global 2023, avoiding 1 GtCO2/yr
- Solar PV 1 TW cumulative 2023, displacing 1.5 GtCO2/yr
- Methane abatement captured 120 MtCH4/yr potential
- Nuclear power avoided 70 GtCO2 historically
- Behavioural changes reduce household footprint 20%
- Carbon pricing covers 23% emissions, raising $95B revenue 2023
- Green hydrogen production costs fell 30% 2020-2023, potential 5 GtCO2/yr cut
- Direct air capture 0.01 MtCO2/yr current, scaling to 1 Gt/yr by 2050
- Building retrofits save 0.5 GtCO2/yr potential EU
- Sustainable agriculture cuts 1 GtCO2eq/yr from soils
- Corporate net-zero pledges cover 40% market cap
Mitigation and Reduction Statistics Interpretation
While the planet's ultimate report card shows we're still acing "Intention" but barely passing "Implementation," it turns out that avoiding and saving emissions—through renewables, efficiency, and even nuclear power—is currently doing the heavy lifting, while our shiny new carbon capture and removal technologies are still mostly just impressive in the brochure.
Regional and National Emissions
- China emitted 11.9 GtCO2 in 2022, 30% of global total
- US CO2 emissions 4.7 Gt in 2022, down 0.8% from 2021
- EU27 GHG emissions 3.3 GtCO2eq in 2022, 17% below 1990
- India emissions 2.8 GtCO2 in 2022, 7% global share
- Russia 1.7 GtCO2 in 2022
- Japan 1.1 GtCO2 2022, down 20% from 2013 peak
- Brazil emissions 1.0 GtCO2eq 2022, mostly land use
- Indonesia 0.7 GtCO2 2022
- Germany 0.7 GtCO2 2022, down 40% from 1990
- Canada 0.6 GtCO2 2022
- South Korea 0.6 GtCO2 2022
- Australia 0.4 GtCO2 2022
- UK 0.4 GtCO2eq 2022, 50% below 1990
- Saudi Arabia 0.6 GtCO2 2022 from oil
- South Africa 0.4 GtCO2 2022, coal heavy
- Mexico 0.5 GtCO2 2022
- Iran 0.7 GtCO2 2022
- Turkey 0.4 GtCO2 2022
- Poland 0.3 GtCO2 2022
- Sub-Saharan Africa total 1.2 GtCO2eq 2022
- Middle East emissions 2.5 GtCO2 2022
Regional and National Emissions Interpretation
The world's climate report card shows that while some nations are acing the 'reduction' extra credit, the class average is still failing because the top of the curve is setting the curve on fire.
Transportation Emissions
- Transport sector emitted 8.7 GtCO2 globally in 2019, 24% of total
- Road transport CO2 6.8 Gt in 2022 worldwide
- Passenger cars emitted 3.5 GtCO2 globally in 2020
- Heavy-duty trucks 3.2 GtCO2 in 2022 global
- Aviation fuel burned 290 Mt kerosene in 2022, emitting 0.92 GtCO2
- International shipping CO2 0.99 Gt in 2022
- Rail transport emissions 0.1 GtCO2 globally in 2019
- Two-wheelers emitted 0.4 GtCO2 in 2020 worldwide
- Bus emissions global 1.2 GtCO2 in 2022
- Electric vehicles displaced 0.1 GtCO2 in 2022 globally
- Biofuels in transport reduced 0.3 GtCO2eq in 2022
- Average car CO2 120 g/km in EU 2022
- US light-duty vehicles average 200 gCO2/mile in 2021
- Global aviation CO2 per passenger-km 110 gCO2 in 2019
- Container ships emit 20-30 gCO2/tonne-km
- High-speed rail 10 gCO2/pkm vs 250 g for air
- Ride-sharing increases emissions 15-30% per passenger
- Global transport fuel demand 100 EJ in 2022, emitting 8.3 GtCO2
- Urban transport emissions 3 GtCO2/yr globally
- Motorcycle CO2 average 100 g/km in Asia 2020
- Freight aviation 0.2 GtCO2 in 2019
Transportation Emissions Interpretation
We have built a world where a single ton of freight is twenty times more efficient traveling by sea than by air, yet our love for speed and convenience means our personal cars are still collectively the planet's largest moving carbon problem.
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