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Carbon footprint

Who emits the most CO₂, and from what

CO₂ from coal, oil, gas and cement for India, China, the USA and the European Union over the last five years: per person, by fuel, and how clean their electricity is. Pick a region, or see them side by side.

The four side by side

Manufacturing

Factories emit CO₂ two ways: burning fuel for heat, and from the chemistry itself. Making cement releases CO₂ from limestone even if no fuel were burnt; the table above shows this as "cement". Worldwide, the steel industry puts out about 7–9% of the CO₂ from fossil fuels (World Steel Association), and cement about 8% (Chatham House). Chemicals, aluminium, paper and glass follow. Most factory fuel is counted under coal, oil and gas, so it is already in the numbers by fuel.

CO₂ from fossil fuels and cement inside each region, in million tonnes (Mt). The electricity mix comes from power generation data, including 2025. Power-sector CO₂ is estimated from electricity generated × its average carbon intensity (life-cycle), so it is a little high.

Reading the numbers

China puts out the most CO₂ in total, about a third of the world's. The USA emits the most per person among the four. India's total is third but its CO₂ per person is about a sixth of the USA's and under half the world average.

Coal is the biggest single source in China and India, mostly for electricity and steel. In the USA and the EU oil comes first, mostly for transport.

These are territorial emissions: CO₂ released inside each region. Goods made in China and used in Europe or the USA are counted in China.

Frequently asked questions

Why are the EU's emissions falling?

Coal power has been replaced by wind, solar and gas, and less energy is used per unit of output. Its electricity is now about half renewable.

Are India's emissions rising?

Yes, as the economy and electricity use grow. Solar and wind are rising fast too, and pushed coal's share of electricity down in 2025.

Does this include methane and farm emissions?

No, only CO₂ from fossil fuels and cement. Other greenhouse gases add about a third more for India and a sixth more for China.

Sources

Built and checked by Satya Babu · Last updated 30 Oct 2026