United States CO₂ Emissions
The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 12.71% of the global total. That ranks it 2nd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 14.2 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does the United States emit?
The United States produced 4.90 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so the United States accounts for 12.71% of it.
With a population of about 345 million, that is 14.2 tonnes per person, 3.0 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in the United States since 1990
Annual emissions in the United States have fallen by 4% since 1990, from 5.13 billion tonnes to 4.90 billion tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 11%. Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in the United States, at about 45% of the total, followed by gas at 36% and coal at 15%.
How the United States compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to the United States 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, the United States has emitted about 434.9 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 23.52% of the cumulative global total, compared with 12.71% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does the United States emit per year?
The United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 12.71% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in the United States?
About 14.2 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 3.0 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in the United States rising or falling?
They have fallen by 11% over the last ten years and fallen by 4% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in the United States?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 45% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 36%.
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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