5 countries that have emitted most carbon dioxide in the world

Within the framework of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP28) taking place in Dubai (United Arab Emirates), a study by the Carbon Brief center revealed the responsibility of countries in the emission of carbon dioxide ( CO2) since the beginning of the Industrial Revolution in 1850 and 2021. In fact, during that period of time, and according to the study, humans have emitted a total of 2,500 tons of CO2.

Fuel combustion emissions have placed the United States at the forefront, with over 500 billion tons of CO2 released since 1850, making up 20% of global emissions. China follows with 280 billion tons, 11.4% of the total, and its emissions have tripled since 2000, potentially surpassing the US if trends continue.

Russia, with over 170 billion tons, holds 6.8% of global emissions. Brazil, impacted by deforestation and land use for agriculture, stands at 4.5% with 110,000 tons. Indonesia rounds out the top five with over 100 billion tons, 4.1% of emissions.

COP28, starting November 30, aims to forge agreements to limit temperature rise below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C. The summit’s location in an oil-rich nation raises concerns, especially with leaked documents suggesting COP28’s president, Sultan Al Jaber, also the director of Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, might have used prior meetings to discuss company-beneficial issues.

United States largest historical emitter

The United States stands as the largest historical emitter, responsible for over 20% of all emissions since 1850. With more than 500 billion tons of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere, the U.S. has contributed significantly to the cumulative amount of CO2, closely tied to the 1.2°C of warming experienced to date.

China holds the second spot, accounting for 11.4% of the total emissions. Its production of approximately 280 billion tons of CO2 has seen a threefold increase since 2000. If this pace continues, China could surpass the United States as the leading contributor to global emissions.

Russia follows in third place, with more than 170 billion tons of CO2, representing about 6.8% of worldwide emissions. Brazil, in fourth position, has seen 110,000 tons of emissions, equating to 4.5% of the global total. Factors such as deforestation and land use for livestock and agriculture have played a significant role in Brazil’s emission history. The MapBiomas organization highlights that large-scale land conversion for industrial growth has led to the loss of thousands of hectares of forests annually.

Emitted more than 100 billion tons of CO2

Indonesia, occupying the fifth rank, has emitted more than 100 billion tons of CO2, which is equivalent to 4.1% of global emissions. The analysis also includes other major contributors like Germany (3.5%), India (3.4%), the United Kingdom (3%), Japan (2.7%), and Canada (2.6%).

The analysis by Carbon Brief is unique as it includes CO2 emissions from land use and forestry for the first time, alongside those from fossil fuels. This addition significantly alters the top 10 rankings of historical emitters.

The backdrop of COP28 is not without controversy. The summit’s location in an oil-rich nation has raised questions about the commitment to climate action. Leaked documents suggest that Sultan Al Jaber, president of COP28 and director of the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company, may have used previous meetings to discuss issues beneficial to his company.

The findings of the Carbon Brief analysis underscore the need for a robust and equitable response to the climate crisis. As nations negotiate at COP28, the historical data presents a stark reminder of the uneven contributions to global warming and the imperative for high-emitting countries to lead the way in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

The challenge ahead is immense, but the analysis provides a factual basis for discussions on climate justice and the allocation of responsibilities. It is a call to action for all countries, especially those with a significant historical contribution to emissions, to take decisive steps towards a sustainable and low-carbon future.

As the world watches the proceedings at COP28, the hope is that nations will rise to the occasion, setting aside geopolitical interests in favor of a united front against climate change. The future of the planet depends on the commitments made today, and the historical analysis by Carbon Brief serves as a crucial guide for these deliberations.

Top 20 countries for cumulative emissions 1850-2021

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