Blog icon

Global carbon dioxide emissions

According to the latest global carbon budget (2023), the total global fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2023 are projected to increase by 1.1 per cent, hitting a record 36.8 billion tonnes.

Fossil CO2 includes emissions from the combustion and use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and cement production. These emissions account for about 90 per cent of all CO2 emissions from human activities.

Emissions from all fossil sources increased in 2023 compared to 2022. Coal accounted for 41 per cent of global CO2 emissions (up 1.1 per cent), oil accounted for 32 per cent (up 1.5 per cent), natural gas accounted for 21 per cent  (up 0.5 per cent) and cement accounted for 4 per cent (up 0.08 per cent).

While fossil CO2 emissions continue to increase, net emissions from land-use change, such as deforestation (CO2 source), minus CO2 removals, such as reforestation (CO2 sink), fell. Net emissions from land-use change were 4.1 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2023.

This chart shows how global fossil carbon dioxide emissions have increased since the 1960s. Terrestrial vegetation and ocean absorb about half of all CO2 emissions. This fraction has remained stable for six decades.

Changes in global fossil CO2 emissions

Although global emissions have increased, the picture for individual countries varies.

China’s emissions (31 per cent of the global total) increased by 4 per cent with growth in all fossil fuel sources. The highest relative growth was from oil emissions. This was in part due to the transport sector’s recovery after COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.

The United States’ emissions (14 per cent of global) were down by 3 per cent. The rapid retirement of coal-fired power plants drove most of this decline. US coal emissions are the lowest since 1903.

India’s emissions (8 per cent of global) increased by 8.2 per cent. Emissions for all fossil fuels grew by 5 per cent or more, with coal the highest at 9.5 per cent. India is now the world’s third-largest fossil CO2 emitter.

European Union emissions (7 per cent of global) are down by 7.4 per cent. This decline was due to both high renewable energy penetration and the impacts on energy supply of the war in Ukraine.

During the decade of 2013-2022, 26 countries had declining fossil CO2 emission trends while their economies continued to grow. The list includes Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, South African, United Kingdom and USA.

Besides the natural CO2 sinks, humans are also removing CO2 from the atmosphere through deliberate activities. We estimate permanent reforestation and afforestation over the past decade have removed about 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to 5 per cent of fossil fuel emissions per year.

At current emission levels, the remaining carbon budget for a one-in-two chance to limit warming to 1.5°C will likely be exceeded in seven years, and in 15 years for 1.7°C.

Global carbon dioxide emissions

According to the latest global carbon budget (2023), the total global fossil carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2023 are projected to increase by 1.1 per cent, hitting a record 36.8 billion tonnes.

Fossil CO2 includes emissions from the combustion and use of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) and cement production. These emissions account for about 90 per cent of all CO2 emissions from human activities.

Emissions from all fossil sources increased in 2023 compared to 2022. Coal accounted for 41 per cent of global CO2 emissions (up 1.1 per cent), oil accounted for 32 per cent (up 1.5 per cent), natural gas accounted for 21 per cent  (up 0.5 per cent) and cement accounted for 4 per cent (up 0.08 per cent).

While fossil CO2 emissions continue to increase, net emissions from land-use change, such as deforestation (CO2 source), minus CO2 removals, such as reforestation (CO2 sink), fell. Net emissions from land-use change were 4.1 billion tonnes of CO2 in 2023.

Terrestrial vegetation and ocean absorb about half of all CO2 emissions. This fraction has remained stable for six decades.

This chart shows how global fossil carbon dioxide emissions have increased since the 1960s. ©  Global Carbon Project

Changes in global fossil CO2 emissions

Although global emissions have increased, the picture for individual countries varies.

China’s emissions (31 per cent of the global total) increased by 4 per cent with growth in all fossil fuel sources. The highest relative growth was from oil emissions. This was in part due to the transport sector’s recovery after COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns.

The United States’ emissions (14 per cent of global) were down by 3 per cent. The rapid retirement of coal-fired power plants drove most of this decline. US coal emissions are the lowest since 1903.

India’s emissions (8 per cent of global) increased by 8.2 per cent. Emissions for all fossil fuels grew by 5 per cent or more, with coal the highest at 9.5 per cent. India is now the world’s third-largest fossil CO2 emitter.

European Union emissions (7 per cent of global) are down by 7.4 per cent. This decline was due to both high renewable energy penetration and the impacts on energy supply of the war in Ukraine.

During the decade of 2013-2022, 26 countries had declining fossil CO2 emission trends while their economies continued to grow. The list includes Brazil, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Portugal, Romania, South African, United Kingdom and USA.

Besides the natural CO2 sinks, humans are also removing CO2 from the atmosphere through deliberate activities. We estimate permanent reforestation and afforestation over the past decade have removed about 1.9 billion tonnes of CO2 per year. This is equivalent to 5 per cent of fossil fuel emissions per year.

At current emission levels, the remaining carbon budget for a one-in-two chance to limit warming to 1.5°C will likely be exceeded in seven years, and in 15 years for 1.7°C.

Contact us

Find out how we can help you and your business. Get in touch using the form below and our experts will get in contact soon!

CSIRO will handle your personal information in accordance with the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) and our Privacy Policy.


This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google

Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

First name must be filled in

Surname must be filled in

I am representing *

Please choose an option

Please provide a subject for the enquriy

0 / 100

We'll need to know what you want to contact us about so we can give you an answer

0 / 1900

You shouldn't be able to see this field. Please try again and leave the field blank.