Carbon emissions are the human additions of greenhouse gases to the atmosphere that warm the planet. The major source of CO2 emissions today is fossil fuels – coal, oil, and natural gas – burned for energy.
Carbon dioxide concentrations in the air have risen by about 50% since industrial times began around 1750. This is more than double the increase that would be expected from natural processes and more than triple the amount of CO2 released at the end of the last ice age, which took thousands of years to happen naturally.
Most of the world’s carbon emissions are associated with energy use, especially for heating and cooling buildings, and driving cars. Emissions are also related to land-use changes and deforestation, but in recent years the growth of renewable energy sources has helped slow the pace of global emissions.
The majority of emissions from transportation are due to the burning of fossil fuels like gasoline, diesel, and heavy fuel oil in vehicles and ships. The choice of energy sources – including renewables and nuclear power – can have a major impact on overall emissions, and is influenced by policy and technological trends.
The CO2 emissions of a country can vary widely, even among countries with similar levels of prosperity. This is largely because of energy choices, with countries such as Portugal, France, and Germany achieving much lower CO2 per capita emissions than their neighbors with comparable standards of living.
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