The power industry is the largest contributor to global carbon dioxide emissions by far. In 2022, global power industry emissions increased by one percent from 2021 levels to reach a record high of 14.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂). This accounted for roughly 38 percent of global CO₂ emissions.
Where are power sector emissions highest?
China is the world's biggest power sector emitter. In 2022, Chinese power plants, the majority of which are coal-fired, released almost five GtCO₂ into the atmosphere. China's power sector emissions have risen five-fold since 2000, owing to the country's rapid economic growth over the past two decades. By comparison, power sector emissions in the U.S. have fallen by more than 20 percent since 2000.
Emissions from coal combustion
The power sector is a major source of emissions due to coal being the most used source for electricity generation worldwide. Coal is the dirtiest of fossil fuels, and emits roughly twice as much CO₂ as natural gas when combusted. Coal-fired power accounts for almost 70 percent of global power sector emissions.
Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)
Source did not provide a release date Figures have been rounded Power Industry - Power and heat generation plants (public & autoproducers) Industrial combustion - Combustion for industrial manufacturing and fuel production Industrial processes - Industrial processes (e.g. emissions from the production of cement, iron and steel, aluminum, chemicals, solvents, etc.) Buildings – Small scale non-industrial stationary combustion Transport – Mobile combustion (road & rail & ship & aviation) Fuel exploitation - Production, transformation, and refining of fuels Other sectors – agriculture & waste.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
EDGAR/JRC. (September 8, 2023). Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 31, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en
EDGAR/JRC. "Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. September 8, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en
EDGAR/JRC. (2023). Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 31, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en
EDGAR/JRC. "Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions from 1970 to 2022, by Sector (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en
EDGAR/JRC, Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en (last visited August 31, 2024)
Global carbon dioxide emissions from 1970 to 2022, by sector (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph], EDGAR/JRC, September 8, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/276480/world-carbon-dioxide-emissions-by-sector/?locale=en