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Carbon dioxide (CO2) is an odorless gas that is highly important to life on Earth. CO2 is also known as a greenhouse gas; an excessive concentration can disrupt the natural regulation of temperature in the atmosphere and lead to global warming.
The concentration of CO2 has especially increased as a result of the Industrial Revolution and exponential growth in manufacturing activities around the world. Deforestation, agriculture, and fossil fuel use are the primary sources of CO2. According to the most recent data from the Global Carbon Project, the top five countries that produced the most CO2 are China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan.
Key Takeaways
- CO2—a greenhouse gas—has become a major concern as climate change becomes a bigger issue.
- China is the world’s largest contributor to CO2 emissions—a trend that has steadily risen over the years. The country now produces 9.9 billion metric tons of CO2.
- The biggest culprit of CO2 emissions for these countries is electricity—notably, burning coal.
1. China
China is the largest emitter of carbon dioxide gas in the world, with 9.9 billion metric tons in 2019, the year for which the most recent data is available. The primary source of CO2 emissions in China is fossil fuels, most notably those that burn coal. About 58% of the total energy generated by China in 2019 came from coal alone, and because coal is rich in carbon, burning it in China’s power and industrial plants and boilers releases large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
Also, China is one of the largest importers of oil, which contributes to large CO2 emissions through the country’s use of motor vehicles. China plans to reduce its dependence on coal and decrease overall pollution in large cities in the future by generating more electricity using nuclear, renewable energy sources and natural gas.
2. The United States
The U.S. is the second-largest emitter of CO2, with approximately 4.7 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in 2019. The largest sources of CO2 emissions in the U.S. came from transportation, industry, and power generation in 2020. Even though the U.S. government undertook significant efforts to reduce the reliance on coal for electricity generation, the country has become a major producer of crude oil.
Also, the U.S. economy is heavily reliant on the transportation sector, which burns petroleum for trucks, ships, trains, and planes. U.S. consumers especially depend on their cars as their primary means of transportation, and this also contributes to the CO2 footprint through gasoline and diesel.
Another large contributor to CO2 emissions in the U.S. is industry, which burns fossil fuels for energy. Also, the U.S. chemical sector uses various chemical reactions necessary to produce goods from raw materials, which in the process, emit CO2.
The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act was signed into law by President Joe Biden on Nov. 15, 2021.
This bill covers funding to improve infrastructure across the U.S., and funds include $7.5 billion for a nationwide network of electric vehicle charging stations and $65 billion to update power lines, prevent hacking of the power grid, and provide clean energy. All of these areas have the potential to improve CO2 emissions in the United States.
3. India
India is the third-largest emitter of CO2 in the world; it produced about 2.3 billion metric tons of CO2 in 2019. As the Indian economy set out on a path toward urbanization and industrialization, the consumption of solid fuels, such as coal, skyrocketed.
Coal as a source of electricity in India has risen from 68% in 1992 to 75% in 2015. Coal mines are abundant in India, and coal is generally cheaper in the country than imported oil and gas. Given these trends, the Indian economy is likely to increase its reliance on coal as its main source of energy for electricity generation and powering its heavy industry. India’s CO2 footprint is bound to grow larger in the future.
4. The Russian Federation
Russia is the fourth largest contributor to CO2 emissions in the world, with 1.6 billion metric tons in 2019. Russia has one of the largest natural gas deposits in the world, and natural gas is the primary source of energy and power generation in the country. Coal, which is widely used in chemical and other basic material industries and for power generation in Russia, is also a major contributor to Russia’s CO2 emissions.
5. Japan
Japan is the fifth-largest emitter of CO2 worldwide, producing 1.1 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2019. Japan is heavily reliant on burning natural gas and coal to generate electricity for its population and various industries. After the nuclear reactors in Fukushima were shut down in 2011, dependence on fossil fuels increased even more. As Japan reopens its nuclear power plants, its CO2 footprint may stabilize in the future.
Which Countries Produce the Most Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Emissions?
China emits the most carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions globally, at 9.9 billion metric tons.
Following China are the United States (4.7 billion metric tons), India (2.3 billion metric tons), Russia (1.6 billion metric tons), and Japan (1.1 billion metric tons).
What Is the Main Source of CO2 Emissions?
Burning coal is the most significant contributor to anthropogenic CO2 emissions. Across all fossil fuels, coal is the most carbon-intensive. Given how inexpensive and ubiquitous a source of energy coal is, it has powered electricity grids for decades worldwide. In 2019, over 50% of China’s energy consumption came from coal.
Why Are China’s Emissions So High?
As the world’s largest manufacturer, much of China’s industrial production is powered by coal. In addition, rapid urbanization has intensified CO2 emissions. Cement and steel production, required for infrastructure, produce significant amounts of C02.
In 2018, cement production accounted for nearly 8% of China’s total CO2 emissions. Meanwhile, half of the world’s steel is manufactured in China.