Coal combustion produced 15.22 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) worldwide in 2022. This was an increase of 1.6 percent compared to 2021. Global emissions from coal combustion have increased massively since the 1960s and reached a high of 15 GtCO₂ in 2014. The main reason for the surge in coal emissions is China's reliance on this fossil fuel. In 2022, China was responsible for over half of the world's coal emissions, making it the largest coal polluter by far.
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Emissions in million metric tons
2022*
15,219
2021*
14,983
2020
14,226
2019
14,684
2018
14,725
2017
14,490
2016
14,325
2015
14,662
2014
15,006
2013
14,989
2012
14,897
2011
14,731
2010
13,941
2009
13,033
2008
13,204
2007
12,789
2006
12,199
2005
11,554
2004
10,877
2003
10,523
2002
9,684
2001
9,259
2000
9,207
1999
8,863
1998
8,736
1997
8,978
1996
9,024
1995
8,803
1994
8,559
1993
8,511
1992
8,409
1991
8,615
1990
8,702
1989
8,892
1988
8,893
1987
8,598
1986
8,321
1985
8,202
1984
7,651
1983
7,298
1982
7,111
1981
6,989
1980
7,008
1979
6,828
1978
6,521
1977
6,412
1976
6,260
1975
6,035
1974
5,860
1973
5,862
1972
5,690
1971
5,698
1970
5,697
1969
5,516
1968
5,317
1967
5,259
1966
5,347
1965
5,286
1964
5,210
1963
5,104
1962
4,925
1961
4,939
1960
5,152
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Global Carbon Project. (December 5, 2023). Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in million metric tons)." Chart. December 5, 2023. Statista. Accessed November 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
Global Carbon Project. (2023). Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
Global Carbon Project. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Coal Combustion Worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Dec 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
Global Carbon Project, Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/ (last visited November 18, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2022 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Global Carbon Project, December 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
