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According to the latest data from the European Commission's Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR), human activities around the world released record amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere in 2024. 53.2 gigatons (Gt) of CO2 equivalent (CO2eq), excluding emissions from the change Land Use and Forestry (LULUCF). This increase represents 1.3 % compared to the previous year (665 Mt CO2eq), which is roughly the volume of Germany's emissions in 2024.
The JRC report "GHG emissions of all world countries", produced in collaboration with the International Energy Agency (IEA), presents trends from 1990 to 2024, including emissions and removals from LULUCF and forest fires. Since 1990 global greenhouse gas emissions from anthropogenic activities have increased by an average of almost 1.5 % per year, which led to them being 65 % higher in 2024 than in 1990.
The EU as a leader in reducing emissions
Despite the global increase in emissions, the European Union's greenhouse gas emissions, excluding LULUCF, have decreased over the same period. decreased by 1.8 %, which represents almost 60 Mt CO2eq. The European Union continues a decades-long trend of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, which was briefly interrupted only in 2021 due to the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. In the longer term, the data for the EU shows the most significant percentage reduction in greenhouse gases among the leading economies with the highest emissions since 1990, while GDP based on purchasing power parity (PPP) has grown steadily over the same period.
Key global emitters
In 2024, the eight largest emitting economies – China, the US, India, the EU, Russia, Indonesia, Brazil and Japan – together contributed to 66.2 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. These countries also account for 54.6 % of the global population, 68.3 % of global GDP PPP and 68.3 % of global primary energy consumption from fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas). Only the European Union and Japan reduced their emissions compared to the previous year (by -1.8 % and -2.8 % respectively). China and the US emissions remained relatively stable (+0.8 % and +0.4 %), while India (+3.9 %), Russia (+2.4 %) and Indonesia (+5 %) saw increases. India had the largest absolute increase with 164.8 Mt CO2eq more emissions released in 2024 compared to 2023. Overall, only five of the 18 countries and regions contributing more than 1 % to total global greenhouse gas emissions reduced them in 2024: the EU27, Japan, Mexico, Germany and South Korea.
Decoupling emissions from economic growth
It is important to note that all major emitters reduced their emissions intensity in terms of greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP. In addition to the EU, other major economies are also showing signs of decoupling emissions from economic growth. While PPP GDP has grown strongly in all regions since 1990, the rate of growth in emissions has been lower, leading to a decline in emissions intensity. The US, Russia and Japan even achieved absolute decoupling: in 2024, their PPP GDP was significantly higher than in 1990, while their greenhouse gas emissions were lower. In contrast, India and China experienced rapid PPP GDP growth accompanied by rising emissions, albeit at a slower pace than PPP GDP.
Emissions by sector and the role of LULUCF
In 2024, they recorded emissions from the energy industry the largest absolute increase (+235 Mt CO2eq or +1.5 %) compared to 2023, while fuel extraction saw the largest relative increase (+1.6 %). All other major sectors of economic activity also saw emissions increase or remain stable, including industrial combustion and processes, buildings, transport, agriculture and waste.
The LULUCF sector plays a key role in the carbon balance. Globally, the sector removed approximately 1.3 Gt CO2eq in 2024 (excluding forest fires), equivalent to 2.4 % of global greenhouse gas emissions. If forest fires are included, the LULUCF sector becomes a source of 0.9 Gt CO2eq. This net flow reflects the balance between much larger removals, mainly from managed forests (approximately 5.5 Gt CO2 in 2024), and emissions, mainly from deforestation (approximately 3.7 Gt CO2). Forest fires contributed 2.1 Gt CO2eq, with significant contributions from Canada, Brazil and Bolivia.
The EU's ambitious goals and the importance of EDGAR
The European Union has set ambitious targets through policies such as the European Green Deal and the European Climate Law. These include: reducing net domestic greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55 % by 2030 compared to 1990 levels and achieving climate neutrality (net zero greenhouse gas emissions) by 2050. The Commission has also proposed a target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 90% by 2040 compared to 1990.
The JRC report, based on EDGAR data, provides a consistent and complete view of global, regional and national greenhouse gas emission trends, updated with the latest available data sources. EDGAR data complement national greenhouse gas emissions inventories, which are required for UN reporting and tracking progress on emission reductions under the Paris Agreement. They have the advantage of providing comparable estimates across countries and are a reliable source of information for researchers, policymakers and engaged citizens. JRi
