Global cumulative CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and land use 1850-2023, by country

By the end of 2023, the United States had emitted about 560 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) since 1850, making it the largest contributor to global historical emissions by far. Just over three-quarters of this total were emitted from fossil fuels, cement, and other industrial processes, with the remaning emissions stemming from land use change.
Since 1850, fossil fuels and cement production have accounted for the majority of cumulative emissions in countries such as Germany and the UK. In contrast, land use change has been the biggest contributor to emissions in countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. Both these countries clear vast areas of forest every year for pastures and plantations, which releases huge amounts of CO₂ into the atmosphere.