Global carbon dioxide emissions are set for their second-highest increase in history

A typical passenger ICE vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This assumes the average gasoline vehicle on the road today has a fuel economy of about 22.0 miles per gallon and drives around 11,500 miles per year. Transport is responsible for nearly 30% of the EU’s total CO2 emissions, of which 72% comes from road transportation.

In the United States, CO2 emissions in 2021 are expected to rebound by more than 200 Mt CO2 to 4.46 Gt CO2, yet remain 5.6% below 2019 levels and 21% below 2005 levels.

20 countries produce the bulk of the greenhouse gases

1. China (9,300 Mt)

2. The United States (4,800 Mt)

3. India (2,200 Mt)

4. Russia (1,500 Mt)

5. Japan (1,100 Mt)

6. Germany (718.8 Mt)

7. Korea (600 Mt)

8. Iran (567.1 Mt)

9. Canada (547.8 Mt)

10. Saudi Arabia (532.2 Mt)

11. Indonesia (496.4 Mt)

12. Mexico (6.0 Mt)

13. Brazil (427.6 Mt)

14. South Africa (421.7 Mt)

15. Australia (384.6 Mt)

16. Turkey (378.6 Mt)

17. United Kingdom(358.7 Mt)

18. Italy (321.5 Mt)

19. France (306.1 Mt)

20. Poland(305.8 Mt)

The United States is the second-largest contributor of CO2 emissions, responsible for 4.8 billion tons of CO2 in 2017. The United States emitted a total of 6.5 billion tons of greenhouse gases. U.S. net emissions decreased by 12% between 2005 and 2017 with the electric power sector emissions falling 27% as a result of increased use of renewable energy, shifting from coal to natural gas, and leveling of electricity demand. The transportation sector is the largest contributor to emissions, responsible for 29% of emissions, followed by electricity (28%), and industry (22%).

India, like China, has a large population – the second-largest in the world of 1.38 billion people. India is the third-largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions, emitting 2.2 billion tons of CO2 in 2017. Cattle, coal power plants, and rice paddies are the country’s major sources of emissions, which continue to rise rapidly. The country has pledged a 33-35% reduction in its emissions by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

Global energy demand is set to increase by 4.6% in 2021 – led by emerging markets and developing economies – pushing it above its 2019 level. Demand for all fossil fuels is on course to grow significantly in 2021, with both coal and gas set to rise above their 2019 levels. The expected rise in coal use dwarfs that of renewables by almost 60%, despite accelerating demand for renewables. More than 80% of the projected growth in coal demand in 2021 is set to come from Asia, led by China. Coal use in the United States and the European Union is also on course to increase but will remain well below pre-crisis levels.

Electricity generation from wind is projected to grow by 275 terawatt-hours, or around 17%, from last year. Electricity generation from solar PV is expected to increase by 145 terawatt-hours, up almost 18% from last year. Their combined output is on track to reach more than 2 800 terawatt-hours in 2021.

A new NASA study shows that over the last 20 years, the atmosphere above the Amazon rain forest has been drying out, increasing the demand for water and leaving ecosystems vulnerable to fires and drought. It also shows that this increase in dryness is primarily the result of human activities.