Below, we outline some of the key aspects of global greenhouse gas emissions.
We look at some of the countries that are the biggest emitters, but also look at things such as where emissions might be trending, and what some projections for future emissions might be.
Summary – Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A summary of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions picture for the country might be:
Countries That Emit The Most Greenhouse Gas Emissions
We’ve put together a seperate guide outlining the countries that emit the most greenhouse gas emissions.
In that guide, we identify the countries with the most:
– Cumulative emissions
– Annual emissions
– Per capita emissions
We also outline some other important emissions metrics for the different countries worldwide.
Which Greenhouse Gas Is Emitted The Most Globally?
Carbon dioxide is by far the most emitted greenhouse gas globally, compared to other major greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide
Some sources put carbon dioxide’s emission share at over 75% of total emissions.
Which Energy Source Is Responsible For The Most CO2 Emissions Globally?
Coal may be the energy source responsible for the most CO2 emissions globally
However, this can vary in individual countries.
China for example has majority of it’s greenhouse gases come from coal, whilst the United States has a greater share come from sources like natural gas.
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most CO2 Globally
The energy sector by far was the largest emitter of CO2 globally in 2010 by a significant margin
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Methane Globally
Agriculture, followed closely by energy were the largest emitters of methane globally in 2008
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Nitrous Oxide Globally
The agricultural sector was the main emitter of nitrous oxide globally in 2010
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions Globally
When considering emissions of all global greenhouse gas emissions …
One set of data from 2010 shows the energy sector by far was the biggest global emitter of all greenhouse gases
Another set of data from 2014, indicates that Electricity and Heat Production has the largest % share of all emissions on a global level, but is only slightly in front of Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use in second place. Industry was not far behind in third.
Have Emissions Increased Or Decreased In Recent History?
Global emissions increased from 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in 1900 to over 36 billion tonnes 115 years later in 2015
In the 2010’s, average global annual emissions have almost stabilized.
However, some major countries such as China have seen steep increases in CO2 emissions over the last decade or so.
Trend In Global Atmospheric CO2 Over Time
– Concentration Of Atmospheric CO2
Since 1865, and particularly since 1980 until recently, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 (measured in parts per million) has continually trended upwards/increased on an annual basis
– Total Atmospheric CO2 Emissions
Over the last 120 years or so, total global annual CO2 emissions have increased significantly
– CO2 Level Trends Differ Between Countries
The trends for annual CO2 emissions levels differ between individual countries i.e. they don’t all follow the global trend.
Projections For Future Global CO2 Emissions
Projections for future emissions might not be taken as definitive, but rather as generalised projections of what emissions might be.
Ultimately, many factors and variables can change or impact emissions in the future.
However, several reports indicate that global emissions may be projected to rise, at least through the next 20 years or so.
Country based emissions path may also vary from the global average.
Countries That Emit The Most Greenhouse Gases
Read more about the countries that emit the most greenhouse gases globally across different metrics in this guide.
As a summary, China and the US are currently the two largest emitting countries.
Read more about China and their greenhouse gas emissions in this guide
Read more about the US and their greenhouse gas emissions in this guide
Which Greenhouse Gas Is Emitted The Most Globally?
CO2 is the greenhouse gas emitted in the greatest quantity and also makes up the greatest % share of all greenhouse gases globally.
It leads both of these indicators by a significant margin.
Some reports indicate that CO2 makes up around 76% of all greenhouse gas globally.
Methane may be at 16%, and nitrous oxide at 6%.
Read more about global greenhouse gas emission quantities and % share in this guide.
Which Energy Source Is Responsible For The Most CO2 Emissions Globally?
Coal is the energy source that is responsible for the most CO2 emissions globally
Oil is in second, and natural gas is in third
From ourworldindata.org:
[Globally, annual per year CO2 emissions by fuel source, measured in billions of tonnes per year, in 2013, are:]
Solid Fuel (Coal) – 15.15 (Bt)
Liquid (Oil) – 11.79
Gas (Natural Gas) – 6.62
[This is followed by Cement Production at 2.03, and Gas Flaring at 249.36 (Millions of tonnes)]
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most CO2 Globally
The energy sector by far was the largest emitter of CO2 globally in 2010 by a significant margin
Transport was in second
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Methane Globally
Agriculture, followed closely by energy were the largest emitters of methane globally in 2008
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Nitrous Oxide Globally
The agricultural sector was the main emitter of nitrous oxide globally in 2010
Forestry was at zero
Industries & Sectors That Emit The Most Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions Globally
When considering emission of all greenhouse gas types – CO2, methane, nitrous oxide …
One set of data from 2010 shows the energy sector by far was the biggest global emitter of all greenhouse gases
Another set of data from 2014, indicates that Electricity and Heat Production has the largest % share of all emissions on a global level, but is only slightly in front of Agriculture, Forestry & Other Land Use in second place. Industry was not far behind in third.
Read the data on total greenhouse gas emissions by industry/sector in this guide.
Emissions By Sector/Industry In Both China & The United States
China and the US both have different sector and industry based breakdowns/profiles in terms of which industries and sectors are responsible for which % share of emissions.
Part of this may have something to do with what they each produce and consume.
As one example, a greater share of China’s emissions may come from industrial activity like the manufacture or consumption of steel and cement
As another example, a greater share of the US’ emissions in the agricultural sector specifically may come from livestock, whereas more of China’s emissions may come from rice cultivation
Trend In Global Atmospheric CO2 Over Time
Global atmospheric CO2 emissions over time might be measured in several ways.
Two of the main ways might be in the concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere, and also the total CO2 that’s been emitted into the atmosphere (in terms of quantity).
Atmospheric CO2 and global emissions can also be broken down on the individual country level.
Concentration Of CO2
The concentration of global atmospheric carbon dioxide can be measured in PPM (parts per million)
Since 1865, and particularly since 1980 until recently, the concentration of atmospheric CO2 (measured in parts per million) has continually trended upwards/increased on an annual basis
[Global atmospheric carbon dioxide has …] increased from 286.13 PPM in 1865, [to 338.8 PPM in 1980, to just over 400 PPM …] in 2016 … (ourworldindata.org)
Total CO2
Over the last 120 years or so, total global annual CO2 emissions have increased significantly
Global emissions increased from 2 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide in 1900 to over 36 billion tonnes 115 years later in 2015 (ourworldindata.org)
CO2 Emissions From Individual Countries
Annual CO2 emissions level trends differ between individual countries.
Some countries are seeing their CO2 emissions levels increase significantly in recently decades, whilst others are seeing theirs plateau or decrease
Some major countries such as China have seen significant annual increases in annual CO2 emissions over time. steep increases in CO2 emissions over the last decade or so.
[But, the] emissions across a number of high-income countries in Europe and the Americas have peaked and were falling during the last decade (ourworldindata.org)
Projections For Future Global CO2 Emissions
Projections for future global CO2 emissions might not be definitive – they might be considered more of a generalised projection.
Part of the reason for this is the number of factors and variables involved that might impact or change future global CO2 emission rates and total.
However, several reports indicate that global emissions may be project to rise, at least through the next 20 years or so.
newscientist.com indicates that ‘… Global emissions will rise 16 per cent by 2030 on 2010 levels’
Through to 2040, global annual CO2 emissions are projected to increase steadily (c2es.org)
The c2es.org report in the resources list below contains several emissions forecast/projection charts.
You can also read more in this guide about general future forecasts for climate change based on several emission pathways.
Sources
1. https://ourworldindata.org/co2-and-other-greenhouse-gas-emissions
2. https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/global-greenhouse-gas-emissions-data
3. https://royalsociety.org/topics-policy/projects/climate-change-evidence-causes/basics-of-climate-change/
4. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Effects_of_global_warming
5. https://www.c2es.org/content/international-emissions/
6. https://www.newscientist.com/article/2290746-un-says-global-carbon-emissions-set-to-rise-16-per-cent-by-2030/
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