The world’s biggest carbon emitters — and the story behind the numbers

illuminem summarises for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Forbes or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: The world’s top 10 carbon emitters, which together account for nearly 70% of global emissions, have distinct profiles when it comes to their carbon footprints
• China leads with the highest emissions, followed by the US
• Both countries have made strides in reducing emissions, but their ongoing industrial activities, high consumption, and relatively low carbon efficiency remain major challenges in the global effort to combat climate change

🔭 The context: Looking at carbon emissions through total, per capita, and GDP-based metrics reveals more nuanced insights into how efficiently countries are managing their carbon output
• For example, while the U.S. has high per capita emissions, its carbon efficiency is the best among the top emitters
• In contrast, countries like India and Indonesia show rapid growth in emissions, but their per capita emissions remain lower due to lower industrialization

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: These figures illustrate the complex relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability
• Understanding how efficiently countries generate economic output from carbon emissions is crucial for crafting fair and effective climate policies
• Countries like China, with large emissions and low efficiency, underscore the importance of improving carbon productivity, while nations like the US highlight the need for addressing personal consumption alongside industrial decarbonization

⏭️ What's next: The next steps in addressing global emissions will involve improving carbon efficiency in emerging economies and addressing consumption patterns in developed nations
• Countries like India and China will continue to play a pivotal role in shaping global emissions trends, while legacy emissions from industrialized nations like the US will remain an important factor in international climate negotiations

💬 One quote: “Per capita and GDP-based metrics provide a more nuanced view of who is emitting, why, and with what result,” — Robert Rapier, Senior Contributor at Forbes

📈 One stat: The U.S. is responsible for approximately 24% of all historical CO₂ emissions since the 1800s, contributing an estimated 421 billion metric tons

See on illuminem's Data Hub™ the sustainability performance of over 8,000 companies

Click for more news covering climate change and energy trends