Carbon emissions are the gases that are released by the burning of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil and natural gas. These gases are important because they cause climate change by trapping heat in the atmosphere and warming the planet.
The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide has risen dramatically since the start of the Industrial Revolution, reaching levels not seen in millions of years. This is because of human activities, mostly the burning of fossil fuels for energy and deforestation. The carbon dioxide in the air comes from both natural sources, such as ocean release and decomposition, and from human activities such as cement production, logging, mining and energy use.
Trees, plants and soil absorb carbon dioxide from the air. When they die, they release carbon back into the atmosphere. In addition, nonagricultural land use activities can increase or decrease CO2 in the atmosphere by either adding carbon (for example, through deforestation), or taking it out via carbon uptake or degradation (such as through reforestation or soil cultivation).
Transportation accounts for more than half of direct greenhouse gas emissions. Emissions from road transport are led by cars and trucks, while shipping and global aviation also contribute significant amounts of GHGs. Other industrial processes, such as fuel combustion and refrigerated transport, emit small amounts of methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases.
Countries vary greatly in their per capita emissions. This is largely because of differences in the standard of living, as well as economic development and resource availability. However, it is crucial that the world’s largest emitters act now to reduce their emissions. This is especially the case for China, the USA and the 28 countries of the European Union, which together account for more than half of all global emissions.
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