CO₂ emissions · Americas · 2024 data
United States CO₂ Emissions
United States emitted 4.90 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 14.2 t per person — #2 of 213 countries and 12.71% of global emissions. That is 3.0× the world average of 4.73 t per person. Emissions peaked in 2005 at 6.13 billion tonnes and are now 20% lower.
CO₂ emissions of United States, 1950–2024
Million tonnes of CO₂ per year (Gt = billion tonnes) · fossil fuels and industry, excluding land use · Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0)
CO₂ emissions by year (table)
| Year | CO₂ (million t) | Per person (t) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4,904.1 | 14.20 | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 4,918.4 | 14.32 | -2.7% |
| 2022 | 5,055.4 | 14.80 | +0.7% |
| 2021 | 5,020.1 | 14.76 | +7.0% |
| 2020 | 4,690.0 | 13.82 | -10.4% |
| 2019 | 5,235.9 | 15.50 | -2.3% |
| 2018 | 5,361.2 | 16.00 | +3.2% |
| 2017 | 5,195.4 | 15.64 | -1.0% |
| 2016 | 5,245.4 | 15.94 | -2.3% |
| 2015 | 5,368.5 | 16.46 | -2.9% |
| 2014 | 5,531.4 | 17.12 | +1.1% |
| 2013 | 5,473.4 | 17.10 | +2.7% |
| 2012 | 5,331.5 | 16.81 | -3.7% |
| 2011 | 5,539.0 | 17.63 | -2.3% |
| 2010 | 5,669.3 | 18.23 | +3.3% |
| 2009 | 5,486.1 | 17.81 | -7.3% |
| 2008 | 5,919.2 | 19.41 | -3.3% |
| 2007 | 6,121.5 | 20.28 | +1.3% |
| 2006 | 6,045.3 | 20.24 | -1.3% |
| 2005 | 6,126.9 | 20.72 | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 6,111.5 | 20.87 | +1.7% |
| 2003 | 6,006.4 | 20.72 | +1.0% |
| 2002 | 5,947.8 | 20.72 | +0.7% |
| 2001 | 5,903.6 | 20.77 | -2.0% |
| 2000 | 6,023.2 | 21.40 | +3.8% |
| 1999 | 5,800.3 | 20.81 | +1.1% |
| 1998 | 5,736.4 | 20.78 | +1.1% |
| 1997 | 5,673.1 | 20.75 | +1.3% |
| 1996 | 5,601.1 | 20.68 | +3.2% |
| 1995 | 5,425.8 | 20.23 | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 5,361.9 | 20.20 | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 5,279.5 | 20.10 | +1.9% |
| 1992 | 5,178.8 | 19.95 | +2.0% |
| 1991 | 5,076.4 | 19.79 | -1.1% |
| 1990 | 5,131.8 | 20.25 | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 4,960.2 | 19.79 | +1.3% |
| 1988 | 4,897.8 | 19.72 | +4.4% |
| 1987 | 4,691.9 | 19.06 | +4.3% |
| 1986 | 4,498.1 | 18.44 | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 4,495.4 | 18.60 | +0.4% |
| 1984 | 4,479.4 | 18.71 | +3.1% |
| 1983 | 4,346.4 | 18.34 | +0.8% |
| 1982 | 4,311.9 | 18.38 | -5.1% |
| 1981 | 4,543.6 | 19.57 | -3.9% |
| 1980 | 4,730.2 | 20.58 | -3.6% |
| 1979 | 4,908.8 | 21.57 | +0.2% |
| 1978 | 4,897.3 | 21.73 | +3.1% |
| 1977 | 4,749.5 | 21.27 | +2.8% |
| 1976 | 4,621.5 | 20.90 | +4.7% |
| 1975 | 4,414.5 | 20.15 | -4.2% |
| 1974 | 4,608.5 | 21.23 | -3.5% |
| 1973 | 4,777.7 | 22.22 | +4.5% |
| 1972 | 4,573.0 | 21.49 | +4.8% |
| 1971 | 4,365.5 | 20.75 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 4,339.7 | 20.88 | +7.5% |
| 1969 | 4,035.2 | 19.66 | +5.1% |
| 1968 | 3,840.9 | 18.92 | +3.7% |
| 1967 | 3,705.5 | 18.46 | +3.8% |
| 1966 | 3,571.4 | 18.01 | +5.1% |
| 1965 | 3,399.5 | 17.38 | +4.1% |
| 1964 | 3,264.3 | 16.93 | +4.4% |
| 1963 | 3,126.5 | 16.47 | +4.4% |
| 1962 | 2,993.9 | 16.03 | +3.7% |
| 1961 | 2,886.9 | 15.73 | -0.4% |
| 1960 | 2,897.3 | 16.07 | +2.3% |
| 1959 | 2,831.9 | 15.99 | +3.1% |
| 1958 | 2,747.1 | 15.77 | -3.1% |
| 1957 | 2,835.8 | 16.54 | -0.8% |
| 1956 | 2,860.0 | 16.94 | +4.8% |
| 1955 | 2,728.5 | 16.42 | +9.6% |
| 1954 | 2,489.5 | 15.21 | -4.7% |
| 1953 | 2,613.0 | 16.21 | +2.4% |
| 1952 | 2,551.2 | 16.07 | -2.6% |
| 1951 | 2,618.7 | 16.74 | +3.0% |
| 1950 | 2,541.5 | 16.48 | +17.4% |
Where United States's CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source.
Per person: United States vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, United States's consumption-based footprint was 5.43 billion tonnes (15.8 t per person) in 2023. United States is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 10% more CO₂ than it emits at home.
Primary energy use: 76,800 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in United States
How much CO₂ does United States emit?
What are United States's CO₂ emissions per capita?
Are United States's emissions going up or down?
What is the main source of CO₂ in United States?
How much has United States contributed to climate change historically?
Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0). CO₂ figures cover fossil fuels and industry (territorial), excluding land-use change unless stated.