Historical CO₂ emissions in Europe 1750-2023, by select country
Germany has emitted almost 95 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) into the atmosphere since the Industrial Revolution began. This makes Germany the biggest carbon polluter in European history.
Rise in European emissions
The industrial revolution began in Great Britain in the 1750s, and for a number of decades the country was responsible for 100 percent of production-based emissions. Eventually other countries began to industrialize, and in the second half of the nineteenth century, Germany unified and experienced rapid industrial growth. This caused emissions there to soar. However, it wasn't until the 1980s that Germany's cumulative emissions surpassed the UK's.
Europe's contribution to climate change
Since 1750, Europe has produced almost 550 GtCO₂. This accounts for roughly 31 percent of global cumulative CO₂ emissions. It is estimated that the countries that currently make up the European Union (EU-27) have contributed approximately 10 percent of global warming since 1850.
