Share of global greenhouse gas emissions 2023, by subsector

Total global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 57.1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) in 2023 (including LULUCF). The largest overall contributor to global GHG emissions that year was power generation, with 26 percent. The majority of power sector emissions come from coal-fired power plants.

Most polluting sectors

The power sector was the largest contributor to global CO₂ emissions in 2023, accounting for nearly 40 percent of the total emissions. Combined with transportation, these two polluting sectors were responsible for almost 60 percent of global CO₂ emissions that year. CO₂ accounts for roughly three-quarters of total greenhouse gas emissions. 

World's largest emitters

China accounted for 30 percent of global GHG emissions in 2023, making it the world's largest emitter. China's share of global GHG emissions was equal to the combined contributions of the U.S., EU-27, India, and Russia in 2023.