Global carbon dioxide emissions from energy 1965-2023, by region

The Asia-Pacific region produced 18.9 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) from energy use in 2023. China's CO₂ emissions are by far the highest in the Asia-Pacific region, at more than 10 GtCO₂ per year. The second most polluting region in 2023 was North America, where 5.9 GtCO₂ were generated, the majority of which came from the U.S.

Global CO₂ emissions growth

Global CO₂ emissions from energy consumption have more than doubled since 1970, and reached a record high in 2023. The rise in emissions is mainly due to rapidly growing economies and increasing energy demand in developing regions. This is especially the case in the Asia-Pacific region, where emissions have almost tripled since the turn of the century. The Middle East has also seen a dramatic rise in emissions, going from producing the lowest CO₂ emissions worldwide in 1965, to the fourth-highest as of 2023.

Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations

The increased burning of fossil fuels - as well as deforestation and other human activities - has seen atmospheric CO₂ concentrations surge in recent decades. In 2023, global atmospheric concentrations of CO₂ reached a record high of 421.08 parts per million, which is roughly 50 percent higher than before the industrial revolution.