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Global Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Source


Carbon dioxide is one of key greenhouse gases. Primary source of carbon dioxide emission is the usage of fossil fuel. In addition, carbon dioxide can also be emitted from direct human-induced impacts on forestry and other land use, such as through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture, and degradation of soils.

In this post, I want to share global carbon dioxide emissions by source or by sector and by region. Data used in this post come from climatewatchdata.org with data source from CAIT (Climate Analysis Indicator Tools), which compiles data from peer-reviewed and internationally recognized greenhouse gas inventories developed by other government agencies worldwide.

In 2016, estimated worldwide carbon dioxide emissions total nearly 37 Giga tons. This number includes the effect of land use and forestry.

Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry
Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry

Between 1990 and 2016, global carbon dioxide emissions increased 48% from 25 Giga tons to 37 Giga tons.

Energy accounts the largest contribution of carbon dioxide emissions, nearly 33 Giga tons in 2016.

Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry by source
Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry by source

In 2016, top three carbon dioxide emitters are China, The United States, and European Union (27 countries).

Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry top emitters
Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry top emitters

Interestingly, in European Union, carbon dioxide emissions tend to decrease from 3.2 Giga tons in 1990 to 2.44 Giga tons in 2016.

Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry European Union
Global carbon dioxide emissions including land-use change and forestry European Union

References:

  • CAIT Climate Data Explorer. 2017. Washington, DC: World Resources Institute. Available online at: http://cait.wri.org

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