Tonnes of CO2 Emitted into Atmosphere
CURRENT TOTAL
Live Counter Notable Facts
(Data shown in the table is for 2025. Counter shows current estimate)
Annual Global CO2 Emissions
Per Second Rate
Increase from 2023
Understanding Tonnes of CO2 Emitted into Atmosphere
This counter tracks global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels and cement production in real-time. CO2 is the primary greenhouse gas responsible for climate change, trapping heat in the atmosphere and driving global temperature increases that affect weather patterns, ecosystems, and human societies worldwide.
In 2024, global CO2 emissions reached a record high of 37.4 billion tonnes, marking a 0.8% increase from the previous year. This continues an alarming trend where emissions have grown by more than 60% since 1990, despite international agreements and climate commitments aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
The majority of emissions come from burning fossil fuels (coal, oil, and natural gas), with coal accounting for the largest share at about 40%, followed by oil at 32% and natural gas at 21%. Land-use changes, including deforestation, contribute an additional 4.2 billion tonnes annually, bringing total CO2 emissions to approximately 41.6 billion tonnes per year.
Global CO2 Emissions Overview
- China is the world's largest emitter, responsible for approximately 30% of global CO2 emissions, followed by the United States at 14%, India at 7%, and the European Union at 8%. However, per capita emissions tell a different story, with developed nations typically having much higher individual carbon footprints.
- Despite the growth in renewable energy and efficiency improvements, fossil fuel emissions continue to rise. The rate of increase has slowed compared to previous decades - emissions grew at 0.2% annually from 2015-2024 compared to 1.9% in the previous decade - but this plateau is insufficient to meet climate goals.
- To limit global warming to 1.5°C as outlined in the Paris Agreement, global emissions need to be cut by 43% by 2030 relative to 2019 levels. Instead, current trajectories suggest emissions will continue to rise, making it increasingly difficult to avoid dangerous climate change impacts.
- The atmospheric concentration of CO2 has reached 426.6 parts per million (ppm) in 2025, the highest level in over 3 million years. This rapid accumulation of greenhouse gases is driving unprecedented changes in Earth's climate system, with cascading effects on ice sheets, sea levels, and weather patterns globally.
Emissions Terminology
- Carbon Dioxide (CO2): Primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, particularly fossil fuel combustion
- Gigatonne (Gt): One billion metric tonnes; global emissions are often measured in gigatonnes of CO2
- Carbon Budget: The maximum amount of CO2 that can be emitted while limiting warming to a specific temperature target
- Net Zero: Achieving a balance between emissions produced and emissions removed from the atmosphere
Emissions by Source (2024)
- Coal: 15.0 billion tonnes (40.1%)
- Oil: 12.0 billion tonnes (32.1%)
- Natural Gas: 7.8 billion tonnes (20.8%)
- Cement Production: 1.6 billion tonnes (4.3%)
- Other Industrial: 1.0 billion tonnes (2.7%)
Regional Emission Trends
- China: +0.4% growth in 2024 (11.4 Gt total)
- United States: -1.2% reduction (5.2 Gt total)
- India: +4.5% growth (2.8 Gt total)
- European Union: -2.1% reduction (3.0 Gt total)
- Rest of World: +1.8% growth (15.0 Gt total)
Carbon Budget Status
- Remaining budget for 1.5°C (50% chance): 250-275 Gt CO2
- Years until depletion at current rates: 6-7 years
- Required annual reduction for 1.5°C: -7.6% per year
- Current trajectory warming by 2100: 2.4-2.6°C
- Emissions gap to 2030 targets: 22-23 Gt CO2 annually
Data Sources and References
Methodology and Data Collection
Global CO2 emissions data are compiled by the Global Carbon Project from national inventory reports, energy statistics, and cement production data, providing the most comprehensive accounting of anthropogenic carbon dioxide emissions worldwide.
Real-time emissions estimates apply a rate of 1,186 tonnes per second based on the annual total of 37.4 billion tonnes from fossil fuels and cement, distributed evenly throughout the year with adjustments for seasonal variations in energy demand.