Chinese and Indian Emissions Rise at More Than Twice the World Average

The United States is still the world’s largest emitter of carbon dioxide (CO2), but according to a World Bank report released May 9, China and India, the most populous nations and the fastest growing economies, are catching up quickly. Between 1992 and 2002, China’s greenhouse gas emissions increased 33 percent and India’s grew 57 percent, while the worldwide CO2 increase over the same 10-year period was just 15 percent.

While China has improved energy efficiency over the last decade, it does not have the resources to replace old coal power plants with new, less polluting factories, according to the Bank. Low- and-middle income nations are responsible for two-thirds of the annual growth in CO2 emissions, but per capita, industrialized nations still use about 11 times the amount of energy as developing nations.

Related Links:

State of the World 2006: Special Focus: China and India

This story was produced by Eye on Earth, a joint project of the Worldwatch Institute and the blue moon fund. View the complete archive of Eye on Earth stories, or contact Staff Writer Alana Herro at aherro [AT] worldwatch [DOT] org with your questions, comments, and story ideas.