In 1800, the United Kingdom accounted for roughly 100 percent of cumulative global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes. However, as more countries began to industrialize over the following decades, the distribution of cumulative emissions shifted greatly. By 1900, the United Kingdom's share of total cumulative emissions had fallen to below 40 percent, while the United States's share had increased to almost a quarter. Other major emitters have emerged since 1990, such as China, which as of 2022 accounted for nearly 15 percent of CO₂ emissions ever produced. The United States is the biggest emitter in history, having released more than 400 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide since the industrial revolution began.
Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country
Characteristic
United States
China
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
Japan
India
France
Brazil
Rest of world
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OWID. (December 5, 2023). Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved August 24, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. "Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country." Chart. December 5, 2023. Statista. Accessed August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. (2023). Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country. Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: August 24, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/
OWID. "Distribution of Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions Worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by Key Country." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Dec 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/
OWID, Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/ (last visited August 24, 2024)
Distribution of cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by key country [Graph], OWID, December 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/992699/share-cumulative-carbon-dioxide-emissions-worldwide-by-country/