More than 2,600 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) have been emitted into the atmosphere from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change since 1850. The United States has contributed to roughly 21 percent of this total, with nearly 560 GtCO₂. This makes the U.S. the biggest historical emitter, by far. China ranks second overall, having produced 340 GtCO₂ from fossil fuel combustion and land-use change.
Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023
(in billion metric tons)
Emissions are the combined total of land use change and fossil CO₂ emissions. Fossil CO₂ emissions includes all emissions from energy production (from coal, oil, gas and flaring) plus direct industrial emissions from cement and steel production.
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OWID. (November 21, 2024). Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in billion metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. "Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in billion metric tons)." Chart. November 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. (2024). Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in billion metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. "Largest Contributors to Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Fossil Fuels, Land Use, and Forestry Worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in Billion Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Nov 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/
OWID, Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in billion metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/ (last visited December 22, 2024)
Largest contributors to cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels, land use, and forestry worldwide from 1850 to 2023 (in billion metric tons) [Graph], OWID, November 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1267683/cumulative-co2-emissions-fossil-fuel-land-use-forestry-worldwide-by-country/
