Eastern Asia
China
China emitted about 12.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 31.8% of the world total, making it the 1st largest emitter. About 8.7 tonnes per person per year, 1.8 times the world average of 4.7 tonnes.
- CO₂ in 2024
- 12,289Mt
- Per person
- 8.7t
- Change since 2005
- +109%
- Total since 1850
- 285.1bn t
- Renewable electricity
- 37%
31.8% of the world · 1st largest
World average 4.7 t
+395% since 1990
15.4% of all CO₂ ever emitted
World 34% (2025)
Annual CO₂ emissions
million tonnes, fossil fuels and industryShow the data as a table
| Year | CO₂ (Mt) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 12,289.04 |
| 2023 | 12,172.01 |
| 2022 | 11,711.81 |
| 2021 | 11,284.40 |
| 2020 | 10,896.52 |
| 2019 | 10,713.52 |
| 2018 | 10,346.79 |
| 2017 | 10,000.01 |
| 2016 | 9,748.18 |
| 2015 | 9,858.04 |
| 2014 | 9,976.03 |
| 2013 | 9,942.37 |
| 2012 | 9,767.31 |
| 2011 | 9,520.15 |
| 2010 | 8,610.05 |
| 2009 | 7,881.49 |
| 2008 | 7,492.40 |
| 2007 | 6,974.66 |
| 2006 | 6,486.18 |
| 2005 | 5,881.99 |
| 2004 | 5,210.96 |
| 2003 | 4,835.25 |
| 2002 | 4,098.18 |
| 2001 | 3,724.11 |
| 2000 | 3,643.81 |
| 1999 | 3,549.95 |
| 1998 | 3,355.34 |
| 1997 | 3,512.35 |
| 1996 | 3,499.31 |
| 1995 | 3,351.20 |
| 1994 | 3,093.89 |
| 1993 | 2,914.29 |
| 1992 | 2,731.29 |
| 1991 | 2,619.14 |
| 1990 | 2,483.53 |
Per person vs the world
tonnes of CO₂- World average
- China
Renewable share of electricity
%- World
- China
Where China's electricity came from, 2025
- Coal 54.3%
- Gas 3.2%
- Oil 0.8%
- Nuclear 4.6%
- Hydro 13.2%
- Wind 10.7%
- Solar 11.1%
- Bioenergy & other 2.0%
Source: Global Carbon Budget and Ember via Our World in Data ·
On the map
China in the world
Also in Eastern Asia
About China's emissions
How much CO₂ does China emit?
China emitted about 12.3 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 31.8% of the world total, making it the 1st largest emitter.
What are China's CO₂ emissions per person?
About 8.7 tonnes per person per year, 1.8 times the world average of 4.7 tonnes.
Are China's emissions going down?
No. CO₂ emissions in 2024 were +109% compared with 2005 and +395% compared with 1990.
How much of China's electricity is renewable?
37.0% in 2025, from hydro, wind, solar and bioenergy, against a world average of 33.8%.