Global distribution of CO₂ emissions 2022, by sector
The power industry was by far the biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2022, accounting for roughly 38 percent. The transportation sector was responsible for the second-largest share of global CO₂ emissions that year, at just over 20 percent.
Growth of global power sector emissions
Global power sector CO₂ emissions have increased by more than 50 percent since the turn of the century and currently total more than 14 billion metric tons (GtCO₂e) per year. However, direct CO₂ emissions from power and heat generation are projected to have peaked.
Who is the largest power sector emitter?
As the world’s largest electricity consumer, China is also the biggest contributor to global power sector emissions by far. In 2022, China produced more than 4.7 GtCO₂ from electricity generation - the majority of which was produced by coal-fired power plants.