CO2 emissions by fuel

Carbon dioxide emissions associated with energy and industrial production can come from a range of fuel types. The contribution of each of these sources has changed significantly through time, and still shows large differences by region. In the chart we see the absolute and relative contribution of CO₂ emissions by source, differentiated between coal, gas, oil, flaring, and cement production.

At a global level we see that early industrialisation was dominated by the use of solid fuel—this is best observed by switching to the ‘relative’ view in the chart.

Coal-fired power at an industrial-scale was the first to emerge in Europe and North America during the 1700s. It wasn’t until the late 1800s that we begin to see a growth in emissions from oil and gas production. Another century passed before emissions from flaring and cement production began.

In the present day, solid and liquid fuel dominate, although contributions from gas production are also notable. Cement and flaring at the global level remain comparably small.

The trends vary significantly by region. Overall patterns across Europe and North America are similar: early industrialisation began through solid fuel consumption, however, through time this energy mix has diversified. Today, CO₂ emissions are spread fairly equally between coal, oil and gas. In contrast, Latin America and the Caribbean’s emissions have historically been and remain a product of liquid fuel—even in the early stages of development coal consumption was small.¹

 Asia’s energy remains dominant in solid fuel consumption, and has notably higher cement contributions relative to other regions.²

 Africa also has more notable emissions from cement and flaring; however, its key sources of emissions are a diverse mix between solid, liquid and gas.

Total emissions from different sources – coal, oil, gas and cement – largely reflect the population of a given country.

How do these figures compare when we look at them on a per capita basis? This chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from coal, oil, gas, flaring and cement, measured in tonnes of CO₂ per year.

The distribution across different fuel sources is very dependent on energy production and mix in a given country. In the US or the UK, for example, oil followed by gas are the largest contributors. In China and India, coal is much more dominant. In Russia, it’s gas.

Which countries are the largest CO₂ emitters from coal production?

This interactive shows annual emissions from coal production by country, over time.

What becomes clear when we look across countries is how coal production has shifted over time. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, coal production was dominant across countries in Europe (predominantly the UK) and the United States. However, energy transitions in these countries have resulted in significant declines in recent decades.

Emissions from coal have since shifted elsewhere: in recent decades we have seen a rapid rise in emissions from industrializing economies such as China, India and South Africa.

How do emissions from coal compare when we adjust for population?

This interactive chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from coal, measured in tonnes per person per year.

Which countries are the largest CO₂ emitters from oil?

This interactive shows annual emissions from oil by country, over time.

How do emissions from oil compare when we adjust for population?

This interactive chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from oil, measured in tonnes per person per year.

Which countries are the largest CO₂ emitters from gas?

This interactive shows annual emissions from gas by country, over time.

How do emissions from gas compare when we adjust for population?

This interactive chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from gas, measured in tonnes per person per year.

Which countries are the largest CO₂ emitters from cement production?

This interactive shows annual emissions from cement production by country, over time.

How do emissions from cement production compare when we adjust for population?

This interactive chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from cement production, measured in tonnes per person per year.

Which countries are the largest CO₂ emitters from gas flaring?

This interactive shows annual emissions from gas flaring by country, over time.

How do emissions from gas flaring compare when we adjust for population?

This interactive chart shows per capita CO₂ emissions from gas flaring, measured in tonnes per person per year.