Coal was the main primary energy source when the Industrial Revolution began in 1750. Since then, coal use has emitted nearly 820 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO₂) worldwide. This accounts for almost half of all CO₂ emissions ever produced from fossil fuels and industry. Oil is the second-largest contributor to global cumulative CO₂ emissions, followed by gas. The use of these fossil fuels on an industrial-scale started much later than coal.
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons)
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Other statistics that may interest you Coal emissions worldwide
Overview
5
- Premium Statistic Share of global greenhouse gas emissions 2021, by subsector
- Premium Statistic Global breakdown of CO₂ emissions 1750-2022, by fuel type
- Premium Statistic Global cumulative CO₂ emissions 1750-2022, by fuel type
- Basic Statistic Global power sector emissions 2000-2022, by source
- Basic Statistic Fossil fuels carbon content by type
Consumption
6
- Premium Statistic Global coal consumption 1998-2022
- Premium Statistic Countries with the largest share of coal consumption globally 2022
- Basic Statistic Global capacity of proposed coal power plants by status 2014-2023
- Basic Statistic Global operational coal-fired power stations by country 2023
- Basic Statistic Installed global coal power plant capacity in select countries 2023
- Premium Statistic Global coal share in power mix 2022, by country
Greenhouse gas emissions
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- Basic Statistic Global carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion 1960-2022
- Premium Statistic Global cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal 1750-2022, by country
- Basic Statistic Global carbon dioxide emissions from coal combustion 2022, by select country
- Basic Statistic Global CO₂ emissions from coal use 1960-2022, by select country
- Premium Statistic Global CO₂ emissions per capita from coal use 1990-2022
- Premium Statistic Global CO₂ emissions per capita from coal use 2022, by country
- Basic Statistic Global methane emissions from operational coal mines 2023, by country
Companies
4
- Premium Statistic Leading methane-emitting coal companies worldwide 2021, by ownership type
- Premium Statistic CO₂ emissions from the most polluting power plants in the U.S. 2022-2023
- Premium Statistic Biggest carbon polluters in the European Union 2022
- Premium Statistic Coal utility companies with the highest emissions in the EU 2021
Outlook
8
- Premium Statistic Projected global coal consumption by leading country 2023
- Basic Statistic Planned fossil fuel production change in selected countries by fuel type 2030
- Premium Statistic Global projected change in methane emissions 2020-2030, by subsector
- Basic Statistic Global methane emissions from proposed coal mines 2023, by country
- Premium Statistic Projected coal capacity change in the U.S. 2022-2029, by state
- Basic Statistic Coal capacity pathway to carbon neutrality in China 2020-2050, by scenario
- Premium Statistic Coal capacity carbon neutral pathway in non-OECD countries 2010-2050, by scenario
- Basic Statistic Coal capacity pathway to carbon neutrality in OECD countries 2010-2050, by scenario
Further Content: You might find this interesting as well
Statista. (December 5, 2023). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved June 10, 2024, from https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/
Statista. "Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons)." Chart. December 5, 2023. Statista. Accessed June 10, 2024. https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/
Statista. (2023). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: June 10, 2024. https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/
Statista. "Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions Worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by Fuel and Industry Type (in Billion Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Dec 2023, https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/
Statista, Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons) Statista, https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/ (last visited June 10, 2024)
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions worldwide from 1750 to 2022, by fuel and industry type (in billion metric tons) [Graph], Statista, December 5, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://internal.statista.com/statistics/1359152/worldwide-co2-emissions-cumulative-by-fuel-historical/