While China leads annual emissions, the United States has contributed the most total CO2 in history. Cumulative emissions reveal who bears the greatest responsibility for climate change.
The Data
While China currently emits more CO2 annually than any other country, cumulative emissions since the Industrial Revolution tell a different story. The United States has emitted roughly 400 billion tonnes of CO2—about 25% of all human emissions in history.
| Rank | Country | Cumulative CO2 | Share of Global |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | United States | 400B tonnes | 25% |
| 2 | China | 235B tonnes | 14% |
| 3 | Russia | 115B tonnes | 7% |
| 4 | Germany | 92B tonnes | 5.5% |
| 5 | United Kingdom | 75B tonnes | 4.5% |
Analysis
Historical responsibility matters. CO2 persists in the atmosphere for centuries. Cumulative emissions, not just current output, determine a nation's contribution to climate change.
Early industrialization's legacy. The U.S. and Europe industrialized first, burning coal and oil for over 150 years before developing nations began their own industrial growth.
Per capita perspective. While China's total emissions are rising fast, its per capita cumulative emissions remain far below Western nations.
Methodology
Data from Our World in Data and the Global Carbon Project, tracking fossil fuel and cement production emissions from 1751 to present.
