Peak and Recent Emissions Comparison

The highest recorded carbon dioxide emissions were in 2007, reaching 6,016 million metric tons. In contrast, the most recent data from 2022 show emissions at 4,941 million metric tons, marking a significant decrease of 1,075 million metric tons from the peak.

Decadal Reduction in Emissions

The decrease in emissions from 2010 to 2020 illustrates a notable environmental improvement. Emissions dropped from 5,594 million metric tons in 2010 to 4,584 million metric tons in 2020, showcasing a reduction of 1,010 million metric tons over the decade.

Largest Annual Emissions Drop

The year 2020 saw the largest annual decrease in carbon dioxide emissions, with a reduction of 321 million metric tons compared to the previous year. This significant drop is reflective of the global events that year which led to reduced industrial activity and transportation.

Average Yearly Change

Over the examined period, the average yearly change in carbon dioxide emissions was a decrease of 10.91 million metric tons. This average reflects the overall trend towards reducing emissions, despite yearly fluctuations.

Significant Yearly Increase

In contrast to reductions, the year 2019 recorded the largest annual increase in emissions, with a rise of 563 million metric tons from the previous year. This highlights the variability in emissions due to economic and industrial activities.

Long-term Emissions Trend

Comparing the emissions at the start and end of the dataset, carbon dioxide emissions increased from 4,428 million metric tons in 1975 to 4,941 million metric tons in 2022. This overall increase of 513 million metric tons over nearly five decades underscores the long-term challenge of significantly reducing carbon emissions.