Top Emitters of CO₂ Worldwide
Fossil Fuel Companies’ Environmental Impact
Global Carbon Emissions Sources
A recent analysis by Carbon Majors reveals that in 2023, 50% of the world’s carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions originated from just 36 fossil fuel companies, including prominent entities like Saudi Aramco, ExxonMobil, and Shell.
Key Findings:
The top five state-owned emitters—Saudi Aramco, Coal India, CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co., and Jinneng Group—were responsible for 17.4% of global CO₂ emissions in 2023, totaling 7.4 gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalent (GtCO₂e). Notably, Coal India, CHN Energy, National Iranian Oil Co., and Jinneng Group increased their emissions compared to 2022.
The top five investor-owned emitters—ExxonMobil, Chevron, Shell, TotalEnergies, and BP—accounted for 4.9% of global CO₂ emissions in 2023, equating to 2.2 GtCO₂e. The Carbon Majors dataset, encompassing emissions from 1854 to 2023, indicates that 67.5% of industrial CO₂ emissions since the Industrial Revolution can be traced to 180 corporate and state-producing entities. Over this period, just 26 entities accounted for more than one-third of global CO₂ emissions.
These findings underscore the significant role a limited number of companies play in global carbon emissions, highlighting the urgent need for accountability and a transition towards sustainable energy practices.
