High-income countries emitted more than 1,000 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) from fossil fuels and industry between 1750 and 2022. This was almost twice the volume of CO₂ produced by upper-middle-income countries during the same period. Perhaps unsurprisingly, lower-income countries have contributed the least to global historical emissions.
Vulnerable countries and campaigners have long argued that rich countries that caused the bulk of climate change with their historical greenhouse gas emissions should pay reparations.
At the 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP 27), the loss and damage fund was established with the aim of supporting poorer countries that are affected by climate impacts.
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group
(in billion metric tons)
Characteristic
Emissions in billion metric tons
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Emissions are based on territorial emissions (production-based) and do not account for emissions embedded in trade. This measures CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels and cement production only – land use change is not included.
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OWID. (December 5, 2023). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group (in billion metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/
OWID. "Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group (in billion metric tons)." Chart. December 5, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/
OWID. (2023). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group (in billion metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/
OWID. "Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Fossil Fuels and Industry Worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by Income Group (in Billion Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Dec 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/
OWID, Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group (in billion metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels and industry worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by income group (in billion metric tons) [Graph], OWID, December 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1356770/cumulative-co2-emissions-worldwide-by-income-group/