The largest corporate emitter in the United States in 2021 was the Texas-based Vistra Energy, having released over 112 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e). This accounted for approximately 1.8 percent of total greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. that year. The second largest carbon polluter was Southern Company.
Vistra emissions
Vistra Energy is a leading power producer and operates some of most polluting power plants in the United States, including the coal-fired Martin Lake and Park Grove power plants in Texas. In a bid to reduce its carbon footprint, Vistra has announced it will close its coal-fired power plants in Illinois and Ohio by 2027, as it transitions to renewable energy.
Sources of emissions in the U.S.
The electric power sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, closely behind the transportation sector. These two polluting sectors are responsible for more than half of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Characteristic
Emissions in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent
Companies are ranked by CO₂-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions (including CO₂, methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases, but not biogenic CO₂).
Figures have been rounded.
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University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute). (January 17, 2024). Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 30, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/
University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute). "Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. January 17, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/
University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute). (2024). Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 30, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/
University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute). "Largest Corporate Greenhouse Gas Emitters in The United States in 2021 (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 17 Jan 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/
University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute), Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/ (last visited December 30, 2024)
Largest corporate greenhouse gas emitters in the United States in 2021 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], University of Massachusetts (Political Economy Research Institute), January 17, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/260363/largest-corporate-air-polluters-in-the-united-states/
