U.S. CO2 emissions by year 2023

Energy consumption in the United States produced 4.8 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) in 2023 - a decrease of 2.7 percent from the previous year. U.S. CO₂ emissions from energy consumption have fallen by approximately 20 percent since 2005.

Sources of emissions in the U.S.

The main source of CO₂ emissions in the U.S. is the transportation sector. For many years, the power sector was the country’s biggest contributor to CO₂ emissions, but the transition towards cleaner energy sources and a shift away from coal-fired power generation – the most carbon intensive fossil fuel – have slashed emissions from this sector. Meanwhile, transportation emissions have continued to rise, except for an unprecedented drop in 2020 due to the outbreak of COVID-19.

U.S. transportation emissions

The U.S. is the biggest contributor to global transportation emissions by far. The states with the largest transportation-related emissions in the U.S. are Texas and California, which combined account for almost one quarter of total U.S. transportation emissions.

Carbon dioxide emissions from energy consumption in the United States from 1975 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)

Characteristic	Emissions in million metric tons of carbon dioxide
2023	4,807
2022	4,941
2021	4,905
2020	4,584
2019	5,147
2018	5,278
2017	5,132
2016	5,169
2015	5,262
2014	5,414
2013	5,359
2012	5,236
2011	5,455
2010	5,594
2009	5,404
2008	5,823
2007	6,016
2006	5,929
2005	6,007
2004	5,994
2003	5,887
2002	5,820
2001	5,778
2000	5,889
1999	5,700
1998	5,637
1997	5,589
1996	5,518
1995	5,324
1994	5,262
1993	5,182
1992	5,089
1991	4,991
1990	5,038
1989	5,085
1988	4,998
1987	4,776
1986	4,616
1985	4,605
1984	4,613
1983	4,384
1982	4,404
1981	4,637
1980	4,756
1979	4,950
1978	4,884
1977	4,835
1976	4,695
1975	4,428

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Release date

March 2024

More information

Region

United States

Survey time period

1975 to 2023

Special properties

Figures have been rounded

Supplementary notes

* According to the source, data include electric power sector use of geothermal energy and non-biomass waste. Excluding emissions from biomass energy consumption.
Values have been rounded to provide a better understanding of the statistic.

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