China now no. 1 in CO2 emissions: USA in second position

Cement clinker production large CO₂ source in China

The use of fossil fuels and industrial processes are the dominant man-made sources of carbon dioxide (CO₂), which is the most important greenhouse gas emitted because of human activity. Of all industrial processes, cement clinker production is the largest source of CO₂. It contributes around 4% to the total of CO₂ emissions from fuel use and industrial activities, globally. China has a large share in global cement production (about 44% in 2006) and nationally their share in CO₂ emissions is almost 9% (550 megatonne out of a total of about 6200 megatonne of CO₂).

China, USA & EU

In 2006, the total of China’s CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels increased by 9%. In the USA in 2006, emissions decreased by 1.4%, compared to 2005. In the European Union countries (the ‘EU 15’) in that same year, CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels remained more or less constant; in 2005 there was a decrease by 0.8%, according to a recent report by the EEA compiling data from the member states.