China was the largest contributor to global power sector emissions in 2023, having produced 5.5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) from electricity generation. This was more than triple the emissions produced in the U.S. - the second-largest emitter within the power sector. Emissions from electricity generation in these two countries have been on opposite trajectories in recent decades. While emissions in the U.S. have decreased by some 30 percent since the turn of the century, those in China have risen fivefold.
Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country
(in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Includes countries with power sector emissions above 100 MtCO₂e
Supplementary notes
*Emissions data for Saudi Arabia was unavailable for 2023. Saudi Arabia's 2022 emissions data has been included in this statistic for reference due to being among the top 10 power sector emitters that year.
Figures aim to include full lifecycle emissions including upstream methane, supply-chain and manufacturing emissions, and include all gases, converted into CO₂ equivalent over a 100-year timescale.
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Ember. (July 17, 2024). Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 10, 2024, from https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/
Ember. "Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)." Chart. July 17, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/
Ember. (2024). Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 10, 2024. https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/
Ember. "Emissions from Electricity Generation Worldwide in 2023, by Leading Country (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 17 Jul 2024, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/
Ember, Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) Statista, https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/ (last visited November 10, 2024)
Emissions from electricity generation worldwide in 2023, by leading country (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent) [Graph], Ember, July 17, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.canberra.edu.au/statistics/1300487/global-power-sector-emissions-by-country/
