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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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
Refers to sectors in which greenhouse gas emissions are difficult to reduce. Includes industries such as iron and steel, cement, refining, chemicals, shipping, aviation and
A set of 10 principles put forward by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) which define high-quality carbon credits, focused on aspects
Airbnb’s direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from its own offices, while indirect emissions come from the energy it consumes, and from upstream and downstream

19 May 2026

GLOSSARY
Hard-to-abate

Refers to sectors in which greenhouse gas emissions are difficult to reduce. Includes industries such as iron and steel, cement, refining, chemicals, shipping, aviation and heavy duty trucks.

12 May 2026

GLOSSARY
Core Carbon Principles

A set of 10 principles put forward by the Integrity Council for the Voluntary Carbon Market (ICVCM) which define high-quality carbon credits, focused on aspects such as governance, tracking, verifiability and additionality.

29 April 2025

ARTICLE
Case Study: Airbnb targets net zero by 2030 with clean energy, carbon credits

Airbnb’s direct greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions come from its own offices, while indirect emissions come from the energy it consumes, and from upstream and downstream activities associated with its business...

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