Top 10 Countries with the Highest Carbon Emissions in the World

Russia is currently the fourth largest emitter of greenhouse gases, following China, the USA, and India. It is also the third-highest carbon emitter in history, responsible for around 7% of the world's accumulated CO2 emissions. The country largely depends on oil and gas exports, which accounted for 45% of the federal budget in 2021. Russia hosts the world’s seventh-largest fleet of coal power plants, though its capacity for wind and solar energy is much smaller than that of its neighbor, Finland, a country with only 1/26th of Russia's population. However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to the country’s energy mix as 'one of the cleanest and lowest-carbon in the world,' thanks to its large nuclear fleet and abundant hydroelectric power. Around two-thirds of Russia is covered by permafrost – permanently frozen ground that typically never thaws, even in summer. As global temperatures rise, this permafrost is at risk of releasing large amounts of greenhouse gases. Russia is already facing severe consequences from climate change, including frequent and intense forest fires, particularly in Siberia.

Japan is the world’s third-largest economy and the seventh-largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHGs). Its carbon reduction plans have been significantly delayed following the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster, which forced Japan to abandon nuclear energy and increase its reliance on fossil fuels. Japan's GHG emissions surged to a record high in the year ending March, largely due to the shutdown of nuclear plants that led to higher fossil fuel consumption. Preliminary data released by the Ministry of the Environment last Thursday showed a 1.6% increase in emissions to 1.395 billion tons of CO2 equivalent compared to the previous year. This marks a 1.3% rise from 2005 and a 10.6% increase from 1990. Only two of Japan’s 48 nuclear reactors were in operation in the first half of the fiscal year. The others were shut down due to safety concerns following the 2011 earthquake and tsunami that devastated the Fukushima plant northeast of Tokyo. Nuclear power once provided 26% of Japan’s electricity, but the closure of nuclear plants has forced Japan to import natural gas and coal, further increasing its greenhouse gas emissions.

Twenty percent of Germany's energy is generated by burning coal, similar to the United States. However, a significant portion of Germany’s coal is of the most carbon-polluting type—lignite. This moist, dark-brown, highly flammable mineral is extracted from massive open-pit mines such as the Garzweiler mine in North Rhine-Westphalia, where activists have protested against plans to expand the operations. Germany’s last three nuclear plants are scheduled to close next year. The absence of nuclear power, reliance on coal, and the intermittent nature of renewable energy have led some experts to doubt that Germany can achieve net-zero emissions by 2045.

Germany is one of the few countries committed to not just phasing out nuclear energy but also moving away from coal. This is considered one of the largest contributors to CO2 emissions harming the environment. The original law set a phase-out deadline for 2038, but the current government, which took office in December 2021, comprising SPD, The Greens, and FDP, is working toward completing this transition by 2030. Germany supports the EU’s Green Deal, aiming for the EU to become a carbon-neutral region by 2050.

Iran is among the top 10 countries contributing the most to carbon emissions, with 75% of its population living in urban areas. Iran’s energy consumption increased by 5-8% between 1990 and 2019, which is about five times the global average. Buildings, particularly in urban areas, account for a significant portion of energy consumption—approximately 2.5 to 4 times the global average, with 70% of this being from public buildings, wasting up to 60% of their energy.

Iran was the eighth largest emitter of greenhouse gases globally in 2015 and seventh in 2022. The country is rich in resources, with vast reserves of oil and gas, as well as substantial potential for renewable energy. Iran allocates about 20% of its GDP to energy subsidies. Improving energy efficiency is crucial for the country's development and can contribute to both environmental sustainability and economic growth. Much of this effort is focused in the capital, Tehran, which has grown into one of the largest cities in the world, with a population of around 9 million.

South Korea has contributed significantly to greenhouse gas emissions due to its industrial production-driven economy. The country aims to reduce emissions by 37% by 2030. As part of this effort, companies are participating in carbon credit trading to share the burden of emissions. Additionally, efforts are underway to reduce carbon dioxide emissions by providing subsidies for electric vehicles powered by renewable energy. Nuclear energy remains the only significant low-carbon energy source in South Korea, with renewable energy having a minimal impact on the nation’s energy supply.

South Korea also faces significant air pollution challenges, such as yellow dust and fine dust particles. According to surveys, air pollution is the most pressing environmental concern for South Koreans. Citizens are aware of the need to address air pollution, and the government’s attention to this issue is crucial. People generally avoid going outside on days with high levels of fine dust, and many wear face masks during these times. Additionally, the use of air purifiers in homes has significantly increased, likely due to air pollution concerns.

Saudi Arabia is one of the largest producers of CO2 emissions per capita globally, with an average of around 18 tons per person. The country is home to the state-owned oil and gas giant, Saudi Aramco, one of the largest CO2 producers worldwide. Since the 1960s, Saudi Aramco has emitted over 60 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent into the atmosphere. Although the kingdom aims to reduce its domestic emissions, there are no signs that Saudi Arabia will scale back its investments in oil and gas or relinquish its control over the energy market by moving away from fossil fuel production.

Energy exports remain a pillar of Saudi Arabia’s economy, despite efforts to diversify revenue sources as the world increasingly seeks alternatives to fossil fuels. The Crown Prince announced plans for Saudi Arabia to plant 450 million trees and rehabilitate vast desert areas by 2030, reducing carbon emissions by 200 million tons and striving to transform Riyadh into a more sustainable capital, even though it is not near the sea. Saudi Arabia has opposed calls for an immediate phase-out of fossil fuels, warning that a hasty transition could lead to price volatility and shortages.

Indonesia ranked as the 10th largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the world in 2022. It is the 16th largest economy globally and the largest in Southeast Asia. Its emissions primarily stem from deforestation, peatland burning, and to a lesser extent, fossil fuel combustion for energy. Recently, Indonesia surpassed Australia again to become the world's largest exporter of thermal coal. The country plans to significantly increase its domestic coal-fired power generation, partly as an effort to reduce the "electricity gap" between its wealthier and less-connected islands.

Indonesia is the third-largest democracy in the world, with nearly 260 million people living across its archipelago of approximately 17,508 islands. It also has the largest Muslim population globally and is extremely ethnically diverse, with over 300 local languages spoken. An analysis by Trend Asia suggests that carbon dioxide emissions from forest clearing for new energy crops will far exceed any reductions achieved by waste burning. The amount of coal Indonesia burns is expected to keep rising until 2030, even with a fully implemented coal-reduction program.

According to a report from the consulting and research firm Rhodium Group, China's greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 surpassed those of the United States and all other developed nations combined. The report further reveals that China's emissions have more than tripled over the past three decades. The country is now responsible for over 27% of the world's total emissions. With a population exceeding 1.4 billion, China's emissions exceeded 14 gigatons of CO2 equivalent in 2019, more than three times the amount in 1990, and a 25% increase over the past decade.

In 2022, China's per capita emissions reached nearly 10.1 tons, nearly three times higher than in the past two decades. Estimates suggest that China's net emissions also grew by about 1.7% last year, while most other countries saw declines during the COVID-19 pandemic. China's greenhouse gas emissions are the largest in the world, both in terms of production and consumption, primarily due to the burning of coal in its power plants, coal mining, and blast furnaces used in iron and steel production. When measured by consumption, this also includes emissions associated with imported goods and the emissions from goods exported by China.

The United States emitted 5.4 billion tons of greenhouse gases (GHG), making it the second-largest emitter in the world after China, and one of the highest per capita emitters. In 2019, China was responsible for an estimated 27% of global GHG emissions, followed by the US at 11%, and India at 6.6%. In total, the US has emitted about a quarter of the world’s total GHGs, more than any other nation.

With annual emissions exceeding 15 tons per person, the US has the highest per capita greenhouse gas emissions among the top eight emitters. As coal-fired power plants gradually shut down, emissions from electricity generation have decreased, with transportation becoming the largest single source. In 2020, 27% of US emissions came from transportation, 25% from electricity generation, 24% from industry, 13% from residential and commercial buildings, and 11% from agriculture. These emissions are contributing to climate change both within the United States and globally.

India's rapidly growing population and economy have led to a significant increase in emissions over recent decades. Since 1990, India's annual carbon dioxide emissions have more than tripled, reaching a record 2.6 billion tons in 2022. While the COVID-19 pandemic caused a temporary drop in emissions in 2020, they were expected to rebound significantly in 2021. As a result, India has become the third-largest emitter of carbon globally, contributing 7% of global emissions in 2020.

However, India's per capita emissions remain much lower compared to many other countries, at just 1.77 tons per person, far below the global average. Economic growth in India is heavily driven by coal, which accounts for about 70% of the country’s electricity supply. Coal is the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, and in 2020, it was responsible for 1.6 GtCO2, or nearly 70% of India's emissions that year. The massive CO2 emissions from coal-fired power plants make the power and heat sector the largest contributor to carbon pollution in India. Agriculture, which releases substantial methane, is the second-largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the country, primarily due to livestock farming and rice cultivation.