The world has experienced so far this year record-shattering heat waves across Asia and the Mediterranean, an unprecedented month-long cyclone that walloped Madagascar, Malawi, and Mozambique, an unusually active wildfire season in Canada that rang air-quality alarms bells across much of the United States, and a ruthless early-summer heat dome over much of Texas and Mexico. And we are only half way through the year.
These are just some of the many ongoing freakish weather events in 2023 that illustrate a new normal — a world with more frequent and severe droughts, heatwaves, heavy rainfall, severe storms, and flooding. (Here are 20 islands that will disappear in your lifetime.)
Just this month, a group of climate experts warned that keeping the target of long-term global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7 degrees Fahrenheit) from pre-industrial levels by the end of the century is quickly slipping out of reach. To achieve that, “greenhouse gas emissions must peak before 2025 at the latest and decline 43% by 2030,” according to the U.N. Climate Change secretariat. But which countries need to step up the most?
To find the countries emitting the most CO2 (carbon dioxide is one of the main greenhouse gasses), 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Global Carbon Budget 2022 by Friedlingstein et al. (2022b) published at Earth System Science Data. The study estimates national emissions from fossil fuel combustion and oxidation and cement production and excludes emissions from bunker fuels (fuels used for international aviation and maritime transport). Countries are ranked by total CO2 emissions.
Not surprising, larger economies and countries with large populations tend to emit more CO2 each year. This includes the world’s two largest economies, China and the United States, which are also the world’s two largest CO2 emitters, making up 44.4% of the global share of CO2 emissions. As relations between China and the U.S. are thawing, questions about whether the two largest CO2 emitters can cooperate in fighting climate change are swirling.
So far, out of the 25 countries emitting the most carbon dioxide emissions, seven have reduced emissions since the start of the century. Notably, the U.S. is emitting 17% less CO2 than in 2000 as the country moves away from coal toward cleaner natural gas. Wind and solar power generated more electricity than coal in the first five months of the year, according to preliminary government data reviewed by Scientific American’s E&E News. (Despite the progress, several U.S. cities rank among the worst cities to live as climate change gets worse.)
Other major emitters such as India and Russia, however, are nowhere near the point where they can reduce their heavy dependence on fossil fuels. In fact, only three of the top 10 emitters — countries responsible for nearly 60% of emissions — have reduced CO2 output since 2000.
But whatever progress is being made, those efforts may not be enough to keep warming below the 1.5-degree threshold. If temperatures did rise above the threshold, it would trigger a “cascade of tipping points” that would “irreversibly alter the global climate system,” the Yale School of the Environment reported in March. Those issues and more will be discussed in November at the 28th annual U.N. Climate Change Conference in Dubai.
Here are the countries emitting the most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.
Click here to see 25 countries emitting the most Co2.
Click here to read our detailed methodology.
Source: alixlee / Flickr
25. Malaysia
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 256.0 million metric tons (0.69% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 7.67 metric tons – #39 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +102.9%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +237%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $373 billion – #39 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 33,396,348
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24. Kazakhstan
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 276.7 million metric tons (0.75% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 14.49 metric tons – #14 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +87.6%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +1,745%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $197 billion – #55 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 19,097,429
Source: Lauren DeCicca / Getty Images News via Getty Images
23. Thailand
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 278.5 million metric tons (0.75% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 3.89 metric tons – #93 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +60.7%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +257%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $506 billion – #24 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 71,561,955
Source: bernie_photo / Getty Images
22. Taiwan
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 282.9 million metric tons (0.76% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 11.86 metric tons – #21 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +24.6%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +444%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: N/A
> Population, 2021: 23,842,033
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21. France
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 306.0 million metric tons (0.82% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 4.74 metric tons – #73 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -24.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +4,999%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $2,958 billion – #7 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 64,502,346
Source: Wysiati / iStock via Getty Images
20. Vietnam
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 326.0 million metric tons (0.88% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 3.36 metric tons – #103 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +519.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +4,256%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $366 billion – #41 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 97,093,774
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19. Poland
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 328.6 million metric tons (0.89% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 8.56 metric tons – #29 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +3.4%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +3,551%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $679 billion – #21 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 38,378,767
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18. Italy
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 328.7 million metric tons (0.89% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 5.54 metric tons – #58 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -30.1%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +2,639%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $2,108 billion – #8 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 59,361,259
Source: sturti / E+ via Getty Images
17. United Kingdom
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 346.8 million metric tons (0.93% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 5.16 metric tons – #64 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -39.1%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: -41%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $3,131 billion – #6 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 67,167,774
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16. Australia
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 391.2 million metric tons (1.05% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 15.16 metric tons – #10 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +11.9%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +2,201%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,553 billion – #13 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 25,795,922
Source: Hector Vivas / Getty Images News via Getty Images
15. Mexico
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 407.2 million metric tons (1.10% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 3.22 metric tons – #107 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +2.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +2,043%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,273 billion – #15 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 126,386,142
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14. South Africa
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 435.9 million metric tons (1.17% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 7.37 metric tons – #43 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +15.3%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +3,014%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $419 billion – #32 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 59,137,710
Source: huseyintuncer / Getty Images
13. Türkiye
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 446.2 million metric tons (1.20% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 5.28 metric tons – #63 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +94.1%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +2,556%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $819 billion – #19 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 84,459,174
Source: Mauricio Graiki / iStock via Getty Images
12. Brazil
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 488.9 million metric tons (1.32% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 2.29 metric tons – #90 lowest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +43.7%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +1,856%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,609 billion – #12 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 213,827,672
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11. Canada
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 545.6 million metric tons (1.47% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 14.35 metric tons – #15 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -3.7%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +5,356%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,988 billion – #9 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 38,019,178
Source: Im Yeongsik / iStock via Getty Images
10. South Korea
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 616.1 million metric tons (1.66% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 11.89 metric tons – #20 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +40.0%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +1,157%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,811 billion – #10 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 51,831,253
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9. Indonesia
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 619.3 million metric tons (1.67% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 2.27 metric tons – #89 lowest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +123.9%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +1,669%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,186 billion – #16 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 272,890,093
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8. Saudi Arabia
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 672.4 million metric tons (1.81% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 18.80 metric tons – #8 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +126.9%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +682%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $834 billion – #18 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 35,764,241
Source: Lukas Schulze / Getty Images News via Getty Images
7. Germany
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 674.8 million metric tons (1.82% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 8.09 metric tons – #34 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -25.0%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +22,392%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $4,260 billion – #4 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 83,390,320
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Source: BornaMir / iStock via Getty Images
6. Iran
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 748.9 million metric tons (2.02% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 8.55 metric tons – #30 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +102.9%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +2,575%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $360 billion – #42 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 87,590,223
Source: Sanga Park / iStock via Getty Images
5. Japan
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 1,067.4 million metric tons (2.88% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 8.54 metric tons – #32 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -15.6%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +13,242%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $4,941 billion – #3 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 124,946,751
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4. Russia
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 1,755.5 million metric tons (4.73% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 12.07 metric tons – #19 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +18.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +87,677%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $1,779 billion – #11 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 145,472,994
Source: Allison Joyce / Getty Images News via Getty Images
3. India
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 2,709.7 million metric tons (7.30% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 1.93 metric tons – #80 lowest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +177.0%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +24,533%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $3,176 billion – #5 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 1,402,807,867
Source: steinphoto / E+ via Getty Images
2. United States
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 5,007.3 million metric tons (13.49% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 14.88 metric tons – #12 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: -16.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +73%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $23,315 billion – #1 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 336,495,769
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Source: baona / iStock via Getty Images
1. China
> CO2 emissions from fossil fuel, 2021: 11,472.4 million metric tons (30.90% of global emissions)
> CO2 emissions per capita, 2021: 8.05 metric tons – #37 highest of 215 countries
> Change from CO2 emissions in 2000: +214.8%
> Change from CO2 emissions in 1960: +286,709%
> GDP (nominal), 2021: $17,734 billion – #2 highest of 198 countries
> Population, 2021: 1,425,861,543
Methodology
To find the countries emitting the most CO2, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed Global Carbon Budget 2022 by Friedlingstein et al. (2022b) published at Earth System Science Data. The study estimates national emissions from fossil fuel combustion and oxidation and cement production and excludes emissions from bunker fuels (fuels used for international aviation and maritime transport). World totals, however, include emissions from bunker fuels. Estimates of historical emissions from the study were used to calculate the change in emissions.
To calculate emissions per capita, 24/7 Wall St. used population totals from the United Nations’ World Population Prospects 2022. These are estimates as of July 2021. Gross domestic product data came from the World Bank and figures are in current international dollars.
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