Global energy-related CO2 emissions by fuel type 1990-2050

Energy-related carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from natural gas, liquids, and coal have steadily increased since 1990. It is projected that emissions from these fossil fuels will continue to rise in the coming decades, reaching record highs by 2050. Natural gas releases approximately 50 percent less CO2 emissions than coal, the most polluting of fossil fuels.

Coal emissions

  China is by far the largest emitter of CO2 emissions from coal combustion worldwide. In 2018, China produced approximately 7.5 billion metric tons of CO2. Coal consumption in china is significantly higher than elsewhere in the world, which explains the considerably high emissions released by this energy source.

Which sector produces the most CO2 emissions?

  CO2 emissions from the energy sector make up more than 40 percent of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion. However, this varies on a country-by-country basis. For example, transportation is responsible for approximately 40 percent of sectoral emissions in the EU.