Some industries or sectors emit more greenhouse gases and carbon dioxide than others
Below, we look at emissions from these different industries and sectors on a global level, but also in individual countries (where the emissions % share of different industries and sectors can differ between countries)
We also include data specifically for major countries like China and the US.
Summary – Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Greenhouse Gases & Carbon Dioxide
The Different Industries & Sectors Across Society
Below, we list and give a brief description of the different industries and sectors across society (that make up majority of emissions)
Those industries and sectors are energy and electricity generation, transport, industrial, commercial, residential, agricultural, land use and forestry, and ‘other sectors’
The Main Greenhouse Gases
Carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide are some of the main greenhouse gases that are tracked and reported on from the different industries and sectors
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most CO2 – Global
The energy sector emits the most CO2 of all sectors and industries globally by a significant margin
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Methane – Global
Agriculture emits the most methane of all sectors and industries globally, but energy follows closely in second
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Nitrous Oxide – Global
Agriculture emits the most nitrous oxide of all sectors and industries globally by a significant margin
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Global
One set of data measuring CO2e totals indicates that energy by far emits the most total greenhouse gases of all sectors and industries globally
Another set of data measuring % share of total emissions indicates that electricity and heat generation, followed very closely by agriculture, forestry and land use might be the two highest emitters of total global greenhouse gases, with industry slightly behind them in third
Some reports indicate that specific sectors or activities like agriculture or deforestation make up a much larger % of emissions than what other reports suggest.
There’s also reports that mention how land area (containing plants, trees, soils, and organic matter) can act as a carbon sink (by sequestering carbon), and offset emissions from some sectors, or from all sectors overall
One report indicates that there may even be uncertainty in determining the net emissions from land use and forests
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – United States
In the US, the sectors that emit the most total emissions when measured by % share of total emissions are both the transportation sector, and also the electricity sector – they are equal first.
Interesting, managed forests and other land area appears to have been a net carbon sink in the last few decades.
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Greenhouse Gases As A % – United States
One report indicates that when accounting for both direct and indirect greenhouse gases (on-site and off-site), the US’ largest emitting sector is the industrial sector.
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – China
Read more about China and their greenhouse gas emissions profile in this guide
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – NSW, Australia
Stationary energy sources, such as coal-fired power stations, have the greatest share of emissions in the NSW, at almost 50% just for this sector.
Carbon Intensity Of The Different Sectors & Industries
When measuring carbon intensity by CO2 emissions per Btu, the transportation sector might have the highest CO2 intensity, and the industrial sector the lowest
Other Factors To Consider When Assessing Emissions From The Different Sectors
We list some of these potential factors and considerations near the bottom of this guide
How To Address Emissions From The Different Sectors & Industries
We put together a separate guide outlining how to potentially address emissions across the different sectors and industries
The Different Industries & Sectors Across Society
The different industries and sectors across society that might make up the most emissions, might include:
– Energy & Electricity Generation
Involves the generation of electricity, also the transmission and distribution of electricity
Can also include the use of energy sources for other activities, although, there’s a difference between primary energy sources and just electricity generation (a form of secondary energy)
Read more about the carbon footprint of different energy sources and electricity in this guide.
– Transport
The movement of people and goods by cars, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes, and other vehicles.
It involves road travel, but also air, rail, water, and so on.
It can involve private vehicles, public vehicles, freight and delivery vehicles, and more.
Read more about emissions from different types of transport in this guide
– Industrial
The production of the goods and raw materials we use everyday
Read more about the carbon footprint of different things and materials we use in everyday life in this guide
– Commercial and Residential
Commercial buildings and businesses, and also the homes we live in.
It excludes agricultural and industrial activities
Read more about the carbon footprint of different household and commercial activities and products in this guide
– Agriculture
Includes crop production, livestock production (animal products like meat, dairy, etc), and farms and ranches.
This guide contain more information about the carbon footprints of different foods
– Land Use & Forestry
The management of land, the conversion of land from one use to another, and, forests and vegetation
As one example, forest land can be converted into land for agriculture
– Other Sectors
There are also other miscellaneous industries and sectors to consider.
Read more about the carbon footprints of miscellaneous activities, products and things in this guide.
More Information On The Different Industries & Sectors
The ourworldindata.org report in the resources list at the bottom of this guide contains more information on the different industries and sectors.
The epa.gov report also has a breakdown of each industry or sector in the US.
They discuss these sectors – transportation, electricity, industry, commercial and residential, agriculture, and land use and forestry
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most CO2 – Global
Energy emits the most CO2 of all sectors and industries globally by a significant margin
Transport is currently a clear second
From ourworldindata.org:
[In 2010, Global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions, measured in gigagrams of CO₂ per year, by sector, were:]
[Of a total of 34.42 million …]
[Energy was first at 20.33 million]
[Transport was second at 5.53 million]
[They are followed by Residential & Commercial at 3.38 million, Agriculture, Land Use & Forestry at 2.62 million, Industry at 2.48 million, Other Sources at 47,519 thousand, and Waste at 32,506.6 thousand]
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Methane – Global
Agriculture emits the most methane of all sectors and industries globally, but energy follows closely in second
The other industries are behind these two by a significant margin
From ourworldindata.org:
In 2008, total global methane (CH₄) emissions by sector, measured in gigagrams of carbon-dioxide equivalents (CO₂e) were:
[Of a total of 5.98 million …]
[Agriculture is first at 2.84 million]
[Energy is second at 2.58 million]
[They are followed by Land Use at 293,021.69 thousand, Residential & Commercial at 258,670.43 thousand, Industry at 5,290.31 thousand, and Other Sources at 3,162.6 thousand]
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Nitrous Oxide – Global
Agriculture emits the most nitrous oxide of all sectors and industries globally by a significant margin
Forestry is at zero
From ourworldindata.org:
In 2010, total global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions by sector, measured in gigagrams of carbon-dioxide equivalents(CO₂e) were:
[Of a total of 3.06 million …]
[Agriculture is first at 2.21 million]
[It’s followed by Other Sources at 216,927.81 thousand, Energy at 175,856.12 thousand, Industry at 137,911.67 thousand, ,Waste at 119,087.49 thousand, Residential & Commercial at 91,159.3 thousand, Land Use at 83,443.4 thousand, Transport at 15,786.61 thousand, International Bunkers at 8,879.86 thousand]
[Forestry is at 0]
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – Global
One set of data measuring CO2e totals indicates that energy by far emits the most total greenhouse gases of all sectors and industries globally
Another set of data measuring % share of total emissions indicates that electricity and heat generation, followed very closely by agriculture, forestry and land use might be the two highest emitters of total global greenhouse gases, with industry slightly behind them in third
In this second set of data, electricity and heat generation, and agriculture, forestry and land use together might make up a 49% share of total emissions, and when adding industry to them, the total share of the three sectors is 70%
Multiple reports indicate that agriculture or deforestation can make up more of total emissions than what other data suggests
Other reports also indicate that carbon sequestration should be taken into account for specific sectors, or for all sectors, because sequestration offsets some carbon emissions.
One report outlines how land use and forestries may have some uncertainties when it comes to determining their actual net emissions, and it might be better to pay attention to overall trends in these sectors/areas because of this potential uncertainty
CO2e Totals
From ourworldindata.org:
[In 2010, the total global greenhouse gas emissions by sector globally, measured in gigagrams of carbon-dioxide equivalents (CO₂e), were:]
[Of a Total of 50.58 million …]
[Energy is first at 23.24 million]
[Land Use Sources is second at 5.54 million]
[Transport is third at 5.54 million]
[Agriculture is fourth at 5.08 million]
Commercial & Residential is fifth at 3.74 million
Industry is sixth at 3.47 million
[Followed by Waste at 1.45 million, Forestry at 1.18 million, International Bunkers at 1.08 million, and Other Sources at 267,609.41 thousand]
% Share Of All Emissions
From epa.gov, In 2014:
Electricity and Heat Production – 25%
Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use – 24%
Industry – 21%
Transportation – 14%
Other Energy – 10%
Buildings – 6%
From the above %’s, epa.gov indicates that for ‘Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use’: ‘This estimate does not include the CO2 that ecosystems remove from the atmosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, dead organic matter, and soils, which offset approximately 20% of emissions from this sector.’
To say that another way, land areas with plants, trees, soils and organic matter on them can act as a carbon sink (absorbing CO2 from the atmosphere).
Other
Other reports indicate that specific sectors may make up much more, or much less total emissions than what the above information suggests
Worldwide, new reports suggest that livestock agriculture produces around a half of all man-made emissions (greeneatz.com)
From wikipedia.org:
[Globally … ] deforestation is the second largest anthropogenic source of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere, after fossil fuel combustion.
It used to account for more than 20% of carbon dioxide emissions, but is currently around the 10% mark
Potential Uncertainty In Determining Net Emissions From Land Use & Forestries
nap.edu identifies that (paraphrased) AFOLU carries the most uncertainty of all the major GHG emitting sectors – due to factors like the standing biomass of tropical forests being uncertain, amongst other factors.
Rather than trying to determine the specific net total GHG emission numbers (such as the exact carbon sink of a forest vs emissions), they might indicate that it might be better to pay attention to the overall trends for emissions e.g. more deforestation might lead to a decrease the amount of CO2 being sequestered.
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – United States
In the US, the sectors that emit the most total emissions when measured by % share of total emissions are both the transportation sector, and also the electricity sector – they are equal first.
Together, these sectors make up around 56% of total emissions share.
Industry is a clear third.
In the US, managed forests and other land area appears to have been a net carbon sink – this should be taken into account when assessing emissions from the different sectors.
% Share Of All Emissions
From epa.gov, in 2016:
[Transportation was in first at 28%]
[Electricity was in second at 28%]
[Industry was in third at 22%]
[Followed by Commercial & Residential at 11%, Agriculture at 9%, and then Land Use & Forestry at offset of 11%]
Emissions Profile Of Agriculture Specifically
A Note On Managed Forests, & Other Land Area
From epa.gov:
In the United States, since 1990, managed forests and other lands have absorbed more CO2 from the atmosphere than they emit.
More Information
Read more about the US and their greenhouse gas emissions profile in this guide
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Greenhouse Gases As A % Share – United States
Accounting for direct and indirect emissions (i.e. off-site electricity generation for electricity used at industrial factories and sites), the industrial sector might be the largest emitting sector in the US.
From c2es.org:
About a fifth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions come from industry [e.g. such as manufacturing, food processing, mining, and construction]
[But,] If direct and indirect emissions are combined, the industrial sector is the largest emitting sector in the U.S. economy, responsible for 29.3 percent of total emissions.
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – China
In China, the sectors and industries responsible for the most emissions across each of the three main greenhouse gases might be:
CO2 Emissions
Construction-related activities (particularly the production of cement and steel ), and also motor vehicles, may be two of the industries that emit the most CO2
Methane Emissions
Transporting and distributing energy (like coal and gas), and also agricultural activities (like rice cultivation) might be the main emitters of methane
Nitrous Oxide Emissions
Agriculture, specifically soil management and the use of fertiliser, might be the primary emitter of nitrous oxide
More Information
Read more about China and their greenhouse gas emissions profile in this guide
Industries/Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions – NSW, Australia
NSW is a State of Australia.
The data below indicates that stationary energy sources, such as coal-fired power stations, have the greatest share of emissions in the NSW, at almost 50% just for this sector.
The next closest is transport at 18%.
From climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au:
[In 2015/16, the activities or industries that made up the greatest share of emissions were:]
Stationary energy sources, such as coal-fired power stations at 47 per cent]
[This was followed by transport at 18 per cent, coal mines at 12 per cent, agriculture at 11 per cent, land use at 7 per cent, land change at 3 per cent, and waste at 2 per cent]
Carbon Intensity Of The Different Sectors & Industries
When measuring carbon intensity by CO2 emissions per Btu, the transportation sector might have the highest CO2 intensity, and the industrial sector the lowest
Carbon Intensity Measured By CO2 Emissions Per Btu
From eia.gov:
Historically … [when] measured by CO2 emissions per British thermal unit (Btu) …
The transportation sector historically has had the highest CO2 intensity …
… the industrial sector has had the lowest CO2 intensity …
Other Factors To Consider With Emissions From Industries & Sectors
Using CO2e To Compare All Emissions Between Different Industries & Sectors
CO2e (CO2 equivalent) can be one way to compare the all greenhouse gas emissions between industries and sectors
We provide a more detailed description of CO2e in a separate guide
Each Sector In Each Country Has A Different Emissions Profile
In terms of the total emissions from the sector, and the individual greenhouse gases that are emitted the most from the sector.
There’s also different sources/causes for each of the different greenhouse gases in each sector.
As one example of this, paraphrased from epa.gov, carbon dioxide makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity generation sector, with small amounts of methane and nitrous oxide emitted also.
Emissions Profiles Of The Different Sectors & Industries Differ Between Different Countries
Each country has a different makeup to their economy, and their economy may be at a different stage of development than another country’s economy.
Some countries may also just produce more of one product or service compared to another country – an example of this may be rice cultivation in China vs livestock production in the US
This may lead to different sectors and industries making up a different % share of total emissions, and also having a different emissions profile in one country compared to another
Additionally, developed cities and developing cities, as well as producer vs consumer cities, might have different emission profiles for their industries and sectors
What we might see is a trend of developing cities having more of their emissions come from industrial activity, and developed cities having more of their emissions come from the energy used in buildings
Usually in a city, their emission total or emission rate is directly in step with the source of energy they use i.e. coal, another fossil fuel, or a cleaner energy source
So, emission profiles of countries and cities can change over time as the economy and local conditions change
Industries Responsible For Direct Emissions vs Indirect Emissions
Emissions from the different industries and sectors may be direct or indirect.
And, indirect emissions may mainly come from electricity generation if it’s counted as it’s own sector.
Many other industries and sectors (such as agriculture, industrial activity, residential and commercial, and even transport when considering electric cars) may use electricity from the electricity generation sector for their activities.
These industries and sectors all have their own direct emissions, but indirect emissions from electricity use may also be considered in their emissions footprint.
Sectors like , all have their own direct emissions, but also indirectly use electricity from power generation, which has an indirect emission footprint]
Other Information On Carbon Footprints
We include more information about carbon footprints in this guide, along with discussing some of the factors and variables that can lead to differing carbon footprint results and data
How To Address Emissions Across The Different Sectors & Industries
Sources
1. https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions
2. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions
3. https://www.eia.gov/outlooks/aeo/pdf/aeo2019.pdf
4. https://climatechange.environment.nsw.gov.au/About-climate-change-in-NSW/Causes-of-climate-change
5. https://www.c2es.org/content/regulating-industrial-sector-carbon-emissions/
6. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#electricity
7. http://www.greeneatz.com/foods-carbon-footprint.html
8. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#agriculture
9. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/sources-greenhouse-gas-emissions#land-use-and-forestry
10. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data
11. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deforestation_and_climate_change
12. https://www.nap.edu/read/12883/chapter/5
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