Global distribution of CO₂ emissions 2023, by sector

The global power industry was by far the biggest contributor to global carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in 2023, accounting for roughly 38 percent. The transportation sector was responsible for the second-largest share of global CO₂ emissions that year, at just over 21 percent. 

Growth of global power sector emissions

Global power sector CO₂ emissions increased by 1.6 percent in 2023 from the previous year. Emissions from the sector have risen by roughly 60 percent since the turn of the century and now average more than 14 billion metric tons (GtCO₂e) per year. 

Who is the largest power sector emitter?

As the world’s largest electricity consumer, China is also the biggest contributor to global power sector emissions by far. In 2023, China produced more than 5.5 GtCO₂ from electricity generation - the majority of which was produced by coal-fired power plants. That year, coal power accounted for more than one-third of global electricity generation.