The South-Pacific region had the highest transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions worldwide in 2023, at 2.3 billion metric tons (GtCO₂). This represented an increase of more than 260 percent relative to 1990 levels. North America was the biggest contributor to global transportation emissions until it was surpassed by the Asia-Pacific region in 2017. Additionally, the Asia-Pacific region's emissions had overtaken those produced in Europe at the turn of the century.
Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region
(in million metric tons)
Characteristic
Asia-Pacific
Europe
North America
Central & South America
Middle East
Africa
CIS
2023
2,326
1,077
2,007
473
436
368
332
2022
2,156
1,085
1,992
459
426
367
327
2021
2,126
1,062
1,926
433
397
365
322
2020
2,024
968
1,764
380
370
337
298
2019
2,190
1,121
2,085
446
420
365
316
2018
2,189
1,114
2,090
441
415
361
320
2017
2,089
1,115
2,050
449
414
350
299
2016
2,005
1,095
2,037
445
404
349
293
2015
1,955
1,063
2,022
445
410
334
292
2014
1,857
1,038
1,963
452
409
330
293
2013
1,810
1,030
1,971
448
391
316
289
2012
1,727
1,032
1,919
435
381
291
287
2011
1,625
1,057
1,954
412
358
268
298
Zoomable Statistic: Select the range in the chart you want to zoom in on.
05001,0001,5002,0002,5003,000
Add this content to your personal favorites. These can be accessed from the favorites menu in the main navigation.
You have no right to use this feature.
Make sure to contact us if you are interested in scientific citation.
You can upgrade your account to enable this functionality for all statistics.
This feature is not available with your current account.Request access
Regions based on IEA countries and regions. As such, not all world countries are included. Figures have been rounded and exclude international shipping and aviation. Figures calculated by Statista according to the data provided by the source.
Learn more about how Statista can support your business.
EDGAR/JRC, & Statista. (September 5, 2024). Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved May 17, 2025, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/
EDGAR/JRC, und Statista. "Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region (in million metric tons)." Chart. September 5, 2024. Statista. Accessed May 17, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/
EDGAR/JRC, Statista. (2024). Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: May 17, 2025. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/
EDGAR/JRC, and Statista. "Carbon Dioxide Emissions of The Transportation Sector Worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by Region (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Sep 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/
EDGAR/JRC & Statista, Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/ (last visited May 17, 2025)
Carbon dioxide emissions of the transportation sector worldwide from 1990 to 2023, by region (in million metric tons) [Graph], EDGAR/JRC, & Statista, September 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1200745/regional-carbon-dioxide-emissions-transport-sector-worldwide/
Profit from additional features with an Employee Account
Please create an employee account to be able to mark statistics as favorites.
Then you can access your favorite statistics via the star in the header.
Profit from the additional features of your individual account
Currently, you are using a shared account. To use individual functions (e.g., mark statistics as favourites, set
statistic alerts) please log in with your personal account.
If you are an admin, please authenticate by logging in again.
