The world is facing a climate crisis, and one of the main drivers is the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted by human activities. CO2 is a greenhouse gas that traps heat in the atmosphere and contributes to global warming. The more CO2 we emit, the more we risk disrupting the Earth’s natural balance and causing irreversible damage to ecosystems, biodiversity, and human well-being.
One way to measure the impact of different countries on the climate is to look at their per capita CO2 emissions, which is the amount of CO2 emitted by each person in a country. This indicator reflects the level of consumption, production, and energy use of a country, as well as its population size. It also reveals the inequalities and responsibilities among countries in terms of their contribution to the climate problem.
The Global Average Per Capita
According to the data from Our World in Data, the global average per capita CO2 emissions in 2022 was 4.7 tonnes. However, this average masks a wide variation among countries, ranging from less than 0.1 tonnes in some African nations to more than 40 tonnes in some Middle Eastern countries. Here are the top 10 countries with the highest per capita CO2 emissions in 2022, based on the data from Treehugger:
- Qatar: 38.74 tonnes per person
- Trinidad and Tobago: 28.88 tonnes per person
- Kuwait: 25.83 tonnes per person
- Brunei: 22.53 tonnes per person
- Bahrain: 21.94 tonnes per person
- United Arab Emirates: 19.67 tonnes per person
- New Caledonia: 19.30 tonnes per person
- Saudi Arabia: 18.86 tonnes per person
- Australia: 16.77 tonnes per person
- United States: 16.56 tonnes per person
These 10 countries alone accounted for about 13% of the global CO2 emissions in 2022, while having only 5% of the global population. Most of these countries are major oil and gas producers and exporters, which explains their high dependence on fossil fuels for their energy and economic needs. However, some of these countries are also taking steps to reduce their emissions and transition to a low-carbon future, in line with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
The Paris Agreement is a landmark international treaty that aims to limit the global temperature rise to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C, above pre-industrial levels by the end of the century. To achieve this goal, countries have to submit their nationally determined contributions (NDCs), which are their plans to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. The NDCs are expected to be updated and enhanced every five years, with the next round due in 2025.
The 10 Top Emitters Per Capita
Among the top 10 emitters per capita, only two countries have committed to a net-zero carbon emissions goal by 2050: the United States and Australia. Net-zero means that any remaining emissions are balanced by removing an equivalent amount of CO2 from the atmosphere, for example, by planting trees or using carbon capture and storage technologies. A net-zero goal is considered essential to achieve the 1.5°C target and avoid the worst effects of climate change.
The United States, which is the second-largest emitter in the world in absolute terms, rejoined the Paris Agreement in 2021 after leaving it under the previous administration. The US has pledged to reduce its emissions by 50-52% below 2005 levels by 2030, and to reach net-zero by 2050. The US has also announced a series of initiatives and policies to support its climate ambition, such as investing in clean energy, infrastructure, and innovation, as well as cooperating with other countries and regions.
What Happened to Net-Zero?
Australia, which is the 14th-largest emitter in the world in absolute terms, has also committed to reaching net-zero by 2050, after years of resistance and debate. Australia has faced increasing pressure from its allies, trading partners, and domestic stakeholders to adopt a more ambitious climate stance, especially in light of the devastating bushfires and droughts that have affected the country in recent years. Australia has updated its NDC to include a 35% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and has announced a $20 billion plan to boost clean energy and technology.
The other eight countries in the top 10 have not yet set a net-zero goal, but some of them have made some progress in their climate actions. For example, Qatar, the world’s largest liquefied natural gas exporter, has pledged to reduce its emissions by 20% by 2030, compared to 2017 levels, and to increase its renewable energy capacity to 20% by 2030. Qatar has also invested in carbon capture and storage projects, as well as in energy efficiency and conservation measures.
Saudi Arabia, the world’s largest oil exporter, has also announced a new initiative called the Saudi Green Initiative, which aims to reduce its emissions by 60% by 2030, compared to 2017 levels, and to plant 10 billion trees in the country. Saudi Arabia has also expressed its intention to reach net-zero by 2060, but has not yet formally submitted this goal to the UN.
The other six countries have not made significant changes to their NDCs since 2015, and their emissions reduction targets are either modest or unclear. For example, Kuwait has only committed to reduce its emissions by 15% by 2030, compared to a business-as-usual scenario, which means that its emissions will still increase in absolute terms. Bahrain has not specified a quantified emissions reduction target, but has listed some actions and policies to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The upcoming COP26 climate summit in Glasgow, Scotland, in November 2021, will be a critical moment for the world to assess the collective efforts and achievements of countries in tackling the climate crisis. The summit will also provide an opportunity for countries to enhance their NDCs and to align their long-term strategies with the net-zero goal. The top 10 emitters per capita, as well as other high-emitting countries, will face increased scrutiny and expectations from the international community and the public to demonstrate their leadership and responsibility in addressing the climate challenge.
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