Countries and Corporates Having Maximum Carbon Emissions
The world is in a climate emergency – “a code red for humanity” according to the UN Secretary-General. The concentration of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere is wreaking havoc across the world and threatening lives, economies, health and food. The world is far from securing a global temperature rise to below 2°C as promised in the Paris Agreement. With a baseline in 1990, some countries are emitting more, some the same and others are emitting less. The UNEP Climate Action Note shows you the global state of the climate emergency and its development.
How the GHG emissions for each country have changed since 1970
Countries and Corporates Having Maximum Carbon Emissions
| COUNTRY | 2018 EMISSIONS | AS PERCENT OF GLOBAL | PER CAPITA | |
| China | China is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 27.79% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 13,739.79 million tonnes. It has had one of the biggest increases in GHG emissions — 250% since 1990. | 13,739.79 million tonnes of GHG | 27.80% | 9.71 tonnes of GHG |
| United States of America | United States of America is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 12.74% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 6,297.62 million tonnes. It is one of the countries with the highest per capita GHG emissions — 19.27 tonnes. | 6,297.62 million tonnes of GHG | 12.70% | 19.27 tonnes of GHG |
| India | India is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 7.32% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 3,619.80 million tonnes | 3,619.80 million tonnes of GHG | 7.30% | 2.67 tonnes of GHG |
| Russian Fed | Russian Fed. is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 4.68% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 2,313.74 million tonnes. It is one of the countries with the highest per capita GHG emissions — 16.07 tonnes. | 2,313.74 million tonnes of GHG | 4.70% | 16.07 tonnes of GHG |
| Japan | Japan is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 2.57% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 1,270.21 million tonnes. | 1,270.21 million tonnes of GHG | 2.60% | 9.99 tonnes of GHG |
| Brazil | Brazil is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 2.55% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 1,259.51 million tonnes. | 1,259.51 million tonnes of GHG | 2.50% | 5.97 tonnes of GHG |
| Indonesia | Indonesia is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 2.17% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 1,074.19 million tonnes. | 1,074.19 million tonnes of GHG | 2.20% | 4.03 tonnes of GHG |
| Islamic Rep. of Iran | Islamic Rep. of Iran is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 1.87% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 926.37 million tonnes. | 926.37 million tonnes of GHG | 1.90% | 11.3 tonnes of GHG |
| Germany | Germany is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 1.77% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 873.60 million tonnes. | 873.60 million tonnes of GHG | 1.80% | 10.62 tonnes of GHG |
| Mexico | Mexico is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 1.62% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 801.38 million tonnes. | 801.38 million tonnes of GHG | 1.60% | 6.13 tonnes of GHG |
| Canada | Canada is one of the top GHG emitters. It accounts for 1.54% of global emissions. In 2018, it emitted 762.14 million tonnes. It is one of the countries with the highest per capita GHG emissions — 20.62 tonnes. | 762.14 million tonnes of GHG | 1.50% | 20.62 tonnes of GHG |
Which companies emit the most CO2?
According to the CDP, between 1988 and 2015, 100 companies were responsible for 71% of global GHG emissions. The Carbon Majors Database report names the following 10 companies as those which belch most carbon dioxide into the atmosphere:
- China Coal 14.3 %
- Saudi Aramco 4.5 %
- Gazprom OAO 3.9 %
- National Iranian Oil Co 2.3 %
- ExxonMobil Corp 2.0 %
- Coal India 1.9 %
- Petróleos Mexicanos 1.9 %
- Russia Coal 1.9 %
- Royal Dutch Shell PLC 1.7 %
- China National Petroleum Corp 1.6 %
On the upside, more and more large corporations are supporting the transition to a carbon-free economy and have committed to obtaining energy of 100% renewable origin. This change is being led by a group of companies that includes Apple, Facebook, Google and Ikea.