China CO₂ Emissions
China emitted 12.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 31.84% of the global total. That ranks it 1st of 213 countries and territories and works out at 8.66 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does China emit?
China produced 12.29 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so China accounts for 31.84% of it.
With a population of about 1.42 billion, that is 8.66 tonnes per person, 1.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in China since 1990
Annual emissions in China have risen by 395% since 1990, from 2.48 billion tonnes to 12.29 billion tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 23%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in China, at about 72% of the total, followed by oil at 14% and gas at 7%.
How China compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to China in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 12,289.04 | 31.84% | 8.66 |
| 2 | United States | 4,904.12 | 12.71% | 14.20 |
| 3 | India | 3,193.48 | 8.27% | 2.20 |
| 4 | Russia | 1,780.52 | 4.61% | 12.29 |
| 5 | Japan | 961.87 | 2.49% | 7.77 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, China has emitted about 285.1 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 15.42% of the cumulative global total, compared with 31.84% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does China emit per year?
China emitted 12.29 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 31.84% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in China?
About 8.66 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 1.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in China rising or falling?
They have risen by 23% over the last ten years and risen by 395% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in China?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 72% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 14%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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