Global emissions from coal combustion have increased massively since the 1960s and reached a high of 15.4 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) in 2023. This was an increase of 1.4 percent compared to 2022. The main reason for the surge in coal emissions is China's reliance on this fossil fuel. In 2023, 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 2023
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Emissions in million metric tons
2023
15,401.22
2022
15,185.97
2021
15,134.6
2020
14,266.88
2019
14,694.93
2018
14,746.25
2017
14,513.11
2016
14,336.13
2015
14,667.68
2014
15,017.95
2013
15,001.51
2012
14,906.99
2011
14,737.9
2010
13,954.14
2009
13,045.03
2008
13,201.74
2007
12,784.67
2006
12,194.09
2005
11,547.44
2004
10,872.46
2003
10,518.78
2002
9,681.15
2001
9,256.89
2000
9,202.37
1999
8,862.77
1998
8,735.66
1997
8,977.65
1996
9,025.07
1995
8,803.75
1994
8,559.98
1993
8,510.98
1992
8,410.13
1991
8,616.42
1990
8,702.58
1989
8,892.31
1988
8,893.93
1987
8,598.43
1986
8,321.16
1985
8,201.96
1984
7,651.01
1983
7,297.98
1982
7,111.62
1981
6,989.39
1980
7,009.02
1979
6,828.8
1978
6,521.98
1977
6,413
1976
6,260.57
1975
6,035.42
1974
5,860.91
1973
5,862.57
1972
5,690.9
1971
5,699.53
1970
5,698.19
1969
5,517.71
1968
5,319.16
1967
5,261.41
1966
5,349.52
1965
5,288.55
1964
5,212.51
1963
5,107.1
1962
4,927.63
1961
4,943.32
1960
5,157.61
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Global Carbon Project. (November 13, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 19, 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 2023 (in million metric tons)." Chart. November 13, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 19, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
Global Carbon Project. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2023 (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 19, 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 2023 (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 13 Nov 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 2023 (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/ (last visited December 19, 2024)
Carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion worldwide from 1960 to 2023 (in million metric tons) [Graph], Global Carbon Project, November 13, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/784682/worldwide-co2-emissions-from-coal/
