Global CO2 emissions by year 1973-2022

As per Data Bank, "carbon emissions" stem from the burning of fossil fuels and manufacturing of cement. They include carbon dioxide (CO2) released from consumption of solid, liquid and gas fuels. With help from scientists around the globe, carbon emissions can be calculated/ estimated from the use and production of materials. They are a critical concept when climate change is discussed and are tracked by organisations globally.

In the last few years, developing countries such as China and India have been scrutinised as they have been increasing their carbon emissions. But why shouldn't they? Developed countries like USA, UK, Canada peaked their carbon emissions in the 1800s and 1900s when they went through their industrial revolution. After establishing themselves as developed countries and achieving a decent standard of living, they started "financing" those emissions to developing countries like India and China. Now as the developing countries are in their transition to become developed economies, they are being questioned to reduce their emissions. Do you think this is fair?

Based on the last 50 years of data, InvestorSight has created the infographic timeline below to visually see the growth of carbon emissions between the top 8 countries.

View the 50 year timeline of carbon emissions around the world

While the United States led the majority of carbon emissions in 1973, China comfortably overtook the country in early 2000's, when they became the "manufacturer" of the world. We shall wait and see what the next 50 years look like.

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