Coal accounted for the largest share of global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and industry in 2023, at more than 40 percent. Oil was the second-largest contributor to emissions that year, with a share of 32 percent.
Coal was the main source of primary energy in 1750, and played a major role in the Industrial Revolution. It was also responsible for 100 percent of global CO₂ emissions until the late 1800s. By this point, other fuels like oil and gas had begun to play a role in the global economy. Since then, there has been a major shift in the distribution of global emissions as countries have changed their energy systems.
Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type
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OWID. (November 21, 2024). Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 19, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/
OWID. "Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type." Chart. November 21, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/
OWID. (2024). Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/
OWID. "Distribution of Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions Worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by Fuel and Industry Type." Statista, Statista Inc., 21 Nov 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/
OWID, Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/ (last visited December 19, 2024)
Distribution of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2023, by fuel and industry type [Graph], OWID, November 21, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1359059/worldwide-co2-emissions-share-by-fuel-historical/
