Live estimate

United States CO₂ Emissions

The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 12.7% of the world total, the 2nd most of 213 countries. That is 14.2 tonnes per person, 3.0× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by the United States in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 156 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

4.90 Gt

4.90 billion tonnes

World rank

of 213 countries

Share of world

12.7%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

14.2 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

-0.3%

2023: 4.92 Gt

Historical share

23.5%

#1 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (-0.3% on 2023). Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% lower.

2,5005,0007,500

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	4,904.1
2023	4,918.4
2022	5,055.4
2021	5,020.1
2020	4,690.0
2019	5,235.9
2018	5,361.2
2017	5,195.4
2016	5,245.4
2015	5,368.5
2014	5,531.4
2013	5,473.4
2012	5,331.5
2011	5,539.0
2010	5,669.2
2009	5,486.1
2008	5,919.2
2007	6,121.5
2006	6,045.3
2005	6,126.9
2004	6,111.5
2003	6,006.4
2002	5,947.8
2001	5,903.6
2000	6,023.2

Where it comes from

Oil is the largest source of the United States’ CO₂, at 45%.

Coal15%733 Mt
Oil45%2,189 Mt
Gas36%1,748 Mt
Cement1%37.3 Mt
Flaring1%61.3 Mt
Other industry3%135 Mt

United States in context

4.2% vs 12.7%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

The United States is home to 4.2% of the world’s population and produces 12.7% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

−4%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 4% lower than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (5,131.8 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

5,432 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, the United States was responsible for 5,431.7 Mt in 2023, 10% more than the 4,918.4 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

185 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in the United States came with about 185 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.26 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.26 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 10% below the world average of 0.29 kg.

Figures from Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project; latest year available for each measure.

How the United States compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
1	China	12.29 Gt	31.8%	8.7 t
2	United States	4.90 Gt	12.7%	14.2 t
3	India	3.19 Gt	8.3%	2.2 t
4	Russia	1.78 Gt	4.6%	12.3 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does the United States emit?

The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 12.7% of global emissions. That is about 156 tonnes every second.

What are the United States’ CO₂ emissions per person?

The United States emits 14.2 tonnes per person, 3.0× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (345.4 million people in 2024).

Are the United States’ CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions were roughly flat in 2024 (-0.3% on 2023). Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in the United States?

Oil is the largest source, at 45% of the United States’ fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (2.19 billion tonnes).

What are the United States’ consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 5,431.7 million tonnes in 2023, 10% more than the 4,918.4 million tonnes emitted within its borders, because it imports more carbon-intensive goods than it exports. Consumption-based accounting adds the emissions embodied in imports and subtracts those in exports.

How much has the United States contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, the United States has emitted about 435 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 23.5% of the world total, the largest historical contribution of any country.