Chart of the day: these countries create most of the world’s CO₂ emissions
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Just two countries, China and the US, are responsible for more than 40% of the world’s CO₂ emissions.
By Sean Fleming
With CO₂ levels still on the rise, being able to track the global emissions hotspots is becoming more important than ever. Before the Industrial Revolution, levels of atmospheric CO₂ were around 280 parts per million (ppm). By 2013, that level had breached the 400ppm mark for the first time.
On 3 June 2019 it stood at 414.40ppm.
There are huge disparities between the world’s top 15 CO₂ emissions-generating countries. China creates almost double the emissions of second-placed US, which is in turn responsible for more than twice the level of third-placed India.
Collectively, the top 15 generate 72% of CO₂ emissions. The rest of the world’s 180 countries produce nearly 28% of the global total – close to the amount China produces on its own.
Per capita CO₂ emissions: the top four (see image)
Of course, aggregating emissions by country is just one way of assessing the pro...
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