The energy sector brings the biggest quantity of greenhouse gasses (gasses that absorb and emit infrared thermal radiation; N.red.) due to the usage of fossil fuels such as oil or coal, according to an infographic published by VisualCapitalist.

The graph below showcases all carbon emission from the global energy sector by region in 2023, with a top 10 list of polluting countries. The total number of emissions is represented in millions of carbon dioxide (CO₂e) and it shows the changes from 2022 to 2023.

The data from the report of the Energy Institute’s Statistical Review of World Energy 2024 includes the emissions from energy production, flaring, industrial processes, and the transportation and distribution of fossil fuels.

A voronoi chart of carbon emissions produced from the energy sector by country/region

China: largest producer of carbon dioxide

In 2023, China produced 31% of the world's carbon dioxide emissions, amounting to 12.6 billion tons - one-third of the global emissions and more than the Western Hemisphere and Europe combined.

The large population of China continues to rely on coal and oil as primary energy resources. Although the country has tried to invest in renewable energy, there was still a 6% increase in carbon emissions in 2022.

Regional carbon emissions

The Asia-Pacific region had a 3.4% increase in emissions, even if countries like Japan, South Korea or Taiwan have recorded decreases.

China, the United States and India emit the biggest amount of carbon dioxide not only in the energy sector, but in all the general ones. According to Global Carbon Atlas, these countries emitted more than half of the carbon dioxide in the world in 2021.

India, the third largest emitter, is investing in coal production and plans to double the production up to 1.57 billion tons by 2030. The global emissions will increase by 10% by 2030 because of India, according to the International Energy Agency.