Comparison of GHG emissions by country

Why compare GHG emissions by country?

Comparing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by country allows us to identify the largest emitters and understand their role in global warming. This is essential for allocating responsibilities and defining efforts at the global level.

International agreements, such as the Paris Agreement, rely on this comparison to set targets tailored to each country based on their emission levels. By assessing these emissions, governments and organizations can adapt their climate policies to achieve common goals, while considering disparities between developed and developing countries.

Ranking of the largest GHG emitters by country

The world’s largest emitter of greenhouse gases (GHG) is China, responsible for about 27% of global emissions. It is followed by the United States, with 11%, and India, which contributes around 7%. The European Union comes next, with about 6% of global emissions. These figures highlight the importance of focusing reduction efforts on these large economies, which significantly contribute to global warming.

GHG emissions by country: The lowest emitting countries

While the majority of climate decisions focus on major emitters, it is equally important to focus on the countries with the lowest greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. These countries, often small or less industrialized, have an extremely low, if not zero, carbon footprint.

Among them, Bhutan is one of the few countries in the world to be carbon negative: it absorbs more CO₂ than it emits, thanks in part to its vast forests, strict environmental policies, and 100% renewable energy production (mainly hydropower). Other countries such as Tuvalu, Kiribati, and the Comoros also have very low emissions, due to their limited level of development and low energy consumption.

However, despite their low GHG emissions, these countries are the most exposed to the consequences of climate change, particularly rising sea levels and extreme weather events. Their situation highlights climate inequalities: they are experiencing disruptions to which they have contributed little.

Thus, recognizing and protecting these countries is an important issue in international climate governance. This involves supporting their resilience to climate impacts while ensuring sustainable development without repeating the mistakes of industrialized countries.

Ranking of historical cumulative emissions by country

When discussing climate responsibility, it is essential not to limit ourselves to current emissions. Ranking historical cumulative emissions provides a better understanding of countries’ responsibility for the accumulation of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere since the beginning of the industrial era, i.e., since 1850.

At the top of this ranking is the United States, alone responsible for approximately 20 to 25% of cumulative global emissions. This is followed by European countries, particularly Germany, the United Kingdom, and France, which experienced early industrialization. The European Union as a whole accounts for approximately 17% of cumulative emissions, while China, despite its major role today, represents only approximately 13% of the historical total.

These data are essential in the debate on climate justice. They serve as an argument for developing countries, which are calling for more financing and technological support from countries historically responsible for climate change.

This ranking also serves as a reminder that climate efforts must take into account not only current emissions, but also the historical impact of countries. It is therefore logical that the countries with the highest long-term emissions should assume greater responsibility in the fight against global warming, by helping the most vulnerable countries cope with its consequences.

GHG emissions per capita

Comparing GHG emissions per capita allows for a more precise analysis of a country’s environmental impact. For example, the United States and Gulf countries have much higher per capita emissions than countries like China or India. This difference is due to a higher standard of living, greater reliance on fossil fuels, and more energy-intensive consumption patterns in these countries.

Developing countries, despite having large populations, generally have lower per capita emissions due to more moderate energy consumption. However, their rapid growth is leading to an increase in total emissions.

Per capita emissions can influence climate policies. Countries with high per capita emissions need to adopt more ambitious reduction strategies. Responsibilities in the fight against climate change are thus distributed not only based on total emissions but also on each individual’s contribution to global warming.

Factors influencing GHG emissions by country

Several factors influence a country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The economy plays a key role: developing countries experience rapid growth and increased industrialization, which generally leads to higher emissions.

The type of energy used is also a determining factor. Countries reliant on fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, have higher emissions than those that have invested in renewable energy.

Additionally, population size has a direct impact on total emissions: the larger the population, the greater the demand for energy and resources, which increases overall emissions.

Lastly, the standard of living in wealthy countries often leads to higher per capita emissions due to more energy-intensive lifestyles and higher consumption of goods and services.

Comparison of emission reduction efforts by country

Climate policies vary significantly among the major greenhouse gas (GHG) emitters. Europe has made great progress by adopting renewable energy and improving energy efficiency, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.

In the United States, emission reduction policies fluctuate depending on the administration. Some have promoted fossil fuel exploitation, while others have encouraged renewable energy, with significant progress in this area.

China and India, despite facing rapid economic growth, have launched ambitious projects to develop renewable energy and reduce emissions while maintaining industrialization.

International initiatives, such as the Paris Agreement, set global emission reduction targets. Each country adjusts its strategies based on these commitments, considering its responsibilities and capacity to mitigate climate change.

Countries leading in GHG emission reduction

Several countries stand out for their efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Norway is a leader due to its widespread adoption of electric vehicles and its development of renewable energy, particularly hydropower. Sweden follows closely, with a large share of its energy coming from renewables and ambitious climate policies aimed at achieving carbon neutrality by 2045.

Costa Rica is a model for developing countries, with 100% of its electricity produced from renewable sources, mainly hydropower and geothermal energy. These countries have implemented long-standing strategies, such as investing in green infrastructure and providing incentives for the energy transition.

GHG Emissions by Country: What Place Does the European Union Hold?

The European Union occupies an intermediate position in the global GHG emissions landscape. With approximately 6 to 7% of current global emissions, it ranks behind China, the United States, and India. However, considering cumulative historical emissions, the EU remains one of the main contributors to global warming.

Among the Member States, Germany is by far the largest emitter, followed by France, Italy, and Poland. These internal disparities reflect differences in energy mix, industrialization, and climate policy.

The European Union is particularly notable for its proactive strategy in combating climate change. It has committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2050, with ambitious interim targets as part of the European Green Deal. The Fit for 55 plan aims to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels.

The EU is also behind innovative mechanisms such as the carbon trading system (ETS) and the carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), designed to prevent carbon leakage. Through coordinated governance between Member States, the European Union is demonstrating that it is possible to reconcile economic development and the ecological transition.

Reducing GHG emissions in developing countries: What role for international financing?

The issue of climate finance is at the heart of international discussions on climate justice. Indeed, the countries most vulnerable to climate change, often those historically least responsible, need financial resources to adapt to the impacts and reduce their own emissions.

Developed countries committed in 2009 to mobilizing $100 billion per year to help developing countries address the climate crisis. This amount was supposed to be reached by 2020, but financial flows remain below promises, causing tensions in the negotiations.

The main source of funding is the Green Climate Fund, created under the auspices of the UN. It finances projects related to the energy transition, climate adaptation, and reforestation. Funding can take the form of grants, preferential-rate loans, or guarantees.

This type of mechanism is essential to enable developing countries to achieve their transition without compromising their growth. It also promotes the diffusion of clean technologies and international cooperation. Strengthening this financing is therefore essential to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and ensure equitable and inclusive climate action on a global scale.

What are the prospects for developments between now and 2030 and 2050?

By 2030 and 2050, greenhouse gas emissions per country are expected to change significantly, depending on national climate commitments and the trajectories set by the Paris Agreement. Several countries have set ambitious carbon neutrality targets, but efforts remain uneven. The European Union aims to reduce emissions by 55% by 2030, with net neutrality targeted by 2050. The United States plans to achieve a 50-52% reduction by 2030 compared to 2005. China, the world’s largest emitter, has committed to peaking emissions before 2030 and achieving carbon neutrality by 2060. India, for its part, is aiming for 2070.

The success of these objectives depends on several factors:
The massive development of renewable energies,
Improved energy efficiency,
Transformation of modes of transportation, production, and consumption.

However, obstacles remain to the success of this ecological transition, such as dependence on fossil fuels, economic pressure, and geopolitical instability. The current trajectory is still insufficient to limit global warming to 1.5°C. Therefore, the coming decades will be decisive. Strengthened, coordinated and equitable action is essential to sustainably change the GHG emissions curves.