Home > News > Press releases > 2008 > China contributing two thirds to increase in CO2 emissions

With an 8% national increase, China’s carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions accounted for two thirds of last year’s global carbon dioxide increase of 3.1%. China’s CO2 emissions are now estimated to be about 14% higher than those from the USA. With this, China tops the list of CO2 emitting countries, having about a quarter share in global CO2 emissions (24%), followed by the USA (21%), the EU-15 (12%), India (8%) and the Russian Federation (6%). Together, they comprise 71% of the total of global CO2 emissions. These figures are based on a preliminary estimate by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (PBL), using recently published BP (British Petroleum) energy data and cement production data for 2007.

2007: globally, 3% increase in carbon dioxide emissions

Per person: USA ranks list
Since population size and level of economic development differ considerably between countries, the emissions expressed per person show a largely different ranking: Top 5 CO₂  emissions in metric tons of CO₂ per person are: USA (19.4), Russia (11.8), EU-15 (8.6), China (5.1 ) and India (1.8).

Half of global cement production takes place in China
Of all industrial processes, the cement clinker production process is the largest source of CO₂, apart from fossil fuel use. It contributes around 5% to the total of global CO₂ emissions from fuel use and industrial activities. With a production increase of 10% in 2007, China now has a share in global cement production of about 50%. 
Cement manufacturing is responsible for almost 20% of the total of China’s CO₂ emissions, including those from fuel combustion for heating the kilns. After the earthquake which recently hit the Sichuan province, it may be expected that the rebuilding of houses and roads for over 5 million people will cause the cement demand to soar even further. 

Weather conditions and high fuel prices affect global energy consumption   
High oil prices of recent years have had their impact on oil consumption, causing that of the OECD countries to fall by 0.9% in 2007. In Europe, a relatively warm winter and high fuel prices have had a mitigating effect on CO₂ emissions, which decreased by about 2% last year. In 2006, CO₂ emissions from the EU-15 remained constant, which was confirmed in a recent report by the EEA, which compiled data from the 15 original Member States. In the USA, relatively cold winter and warm summer temperatures in 2007, combined with a decline in non-fossil-fuelled electricity generation, resulted in increases in CO₂ emissions from space heating and cooling. Overall, in the USA in 2007, CO₂ emissions increased by 1.8%, compared to 2006. 

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The Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency analyses spatial and social developments in (inter)national context, which are important to the human, plant and animal environment. It explores the future quality of the living environment and the related policy options. The agency also aims to contribute to integrated spatial and ecological assessment issues, actively seeking cooperation with the other two Dutch assessment agencies.

More information, graphs and data are provided at the following web pages:
-  Global CO2 emissions: increasing trend continued
-  Chinese CO2 emissions in perspective - Country intercomparison of CO2 emissions

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Note to the editor:
Publication is available on www.mnp.nl/en. 
For more information, please contact: Anneke Oosterhuis, Press Officer PBL, +31.30.2743033