Global CO2 Emissions From Energy Combustion and Industrial Processes, 1900-2022

After a brief dip during the coronavirus-induced lockdowns, global emissions climbed to a record high in 2022. Or as the IEA put it, “the world has not heeded the call for a sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.” Clean energy technologies are being developed and coming on stream all the time but they need to be rapidly deployed and scaled up if the world it is to achieve the goal of net zero by 2050.

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Climate Politics

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LATEST VISUAL LEARNING

This chart shows the total amount of man-made emissions created by the world's biggest polluters.
The amount of atmospheric CO2 has charted a steady climb higher. The Mauna Loa Observatory on the north flank of volcano of the same name
November saw progress in Europe’s climate policy agenda, after the EU’s member states reached agreement on a 90% emissions reduction target by 2040, but delayed
The reduction of an entity's carbon emissions below net zero, so it has achieved a net reduction in emissions. The entity's total reductions or removals
The global energy transition is well under way as the world seeks to move away from finite energy sources like fossil fuels to cleaner power

24 November 2025

HIGHLIGHT
EU nations agree 90% emissions target for 2040

November saw progress in Europe’s climate policy agenda, after the EU’s member states reached agreement on a 90% emissions reduction target by 2040, but delayed the start of a planned new...

21 November 2025

GLOSSARY
Carbon Negative

The reduction of an entity's carbon emissions below net zero, so it has achieved a net reduction in emissions. The entity's total reductions or removals are greater than its total output of carbon.

17 November 2025

ARTICLE
Are Power Grid Upgrades the Key to Unlocking the Energy Transition?

The global energy transition is well under way as the world seeks to move away from finite energy sources like fossil fuels to cleaner power sources that can avoid severe climate change and sustain economies...

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