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U.S. Emissions

U.S. net emissions declined 15 percent from 2005 to 2021 due to a range of market- and policy-related factors. Electric power sector emissions fell 36 percent (through 2021) as a result of a shift from coal to natural gas, increased use of renewable energy, and a leveling of electricity demand. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions rebounded by 7 percent in 2021 as the economy reemerged after the COVID-19 pandemic; year-over-year transportation sector emissions grew by nearly 11 percent, while industrial emissions ticked upward by 2.6 percent.

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Gas and Sector, 2021

Notes

In 2021, the United States emitted more than 6.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases (CO2e). Carbon dioxide accounted for the largest percentage of greenhouse gases (79%), followed by methane (12%), nitrous oxide (6%), and other greenhouse gases (3%).

Total U.S. emissions for 2021 totaled 6,340 million metric tons of CO2e and net emissions, taking sinks into account, totaled 5,586 million metric tons CO2e. Greenhouse gases are emitted by all sectors of the economy, including electric power (25% of total), transportation (29%), industry (24%), residential and commercial (13%), and agriculture (10%).

Source

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2021 (EPA, 2023)

Trends in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 1990–2021

Notes

Total emissions decreased by 2.3 percent between 1990 and 2021 and are down 15 percent from the 2007 peak.

Source

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990–2021 (EPA, 2023)

Trends in CO2 Emissions Across All Sectors by Fuel Type, 2000–2022

Notes

Emissions from energy consumption ticked upward by a bit less than 1 percent in 2022 as natural gas use increased offset somewhat by a decline in coal use.

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2023)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Sector (MMtCO2), 2000–2022

Notes

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 18 percent since 2005 due to lower coal consumption and an increasing share of renewable electricity. This has been offset somewhat by an increasing share of natural gas consumption.

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2023)

Trends in CO2 Emissions in the U.S. Power Sector, 2000–2022

Notes

Natural gas, which emits about half the amount of CO2 as coal, is being used more extensively due to its lower price and is displacing coal-fired generation.

Power sector emissions fell slightly in 2021 as coal declines offset rises in natural gas and petroleum. Power sector carbon dioxide emissions are down more than 36 percent from 2005 levels.

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2023)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Sector (MMtCO2), 2000–2050

Source

Annual Energy Outlook (EIA, 2023)

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