Greenhouse gas emissions by the United States: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Climate changing gases from the North American country}}

{{About|gases from the United States which contribute to climate change, and their mitigation|all the other aspects of climate change in this country|Climate change in the United States}}

[[File:Atlanta 75.85.jpg|thumb|upright=1.35|[[Transportation in the United States|Transportation]] is the largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S.|301x301px]]

<noinclude>{{multiple image | total-width=675

| image1=1990- Annual greenhouse gas emissions - U.S. - line chart.svg |caption1=Though the U.S.'s ''per capita'' and per [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] emissions have declined significantly, the raw numerical decline in emissions is much less substantial.

| image2=20210703 Variwide chart of greenhouse gas emissions per capita by country (includes OTHER).svg |caption2= The U.S. has among the highest [[List of countries by carbon dioxide emissions per capita|per person emissions]], of the countries that emit the most greenhouse gases.

| image4=1980- Natural gas production, by country.svg | caption4=The U.S. has been the predominant producer of natural gas, which includes the greenhouse gas methane.

}}

</noinclude>

The [[United States]] produced 5.2 billion [[metric tons]] of [[carbon dioxide equivalent]] [[greenhouse gas emissions|greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions]] in 2020, the second largest in the world after [[greenhouse gas emissions by China]] and among the [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per capita|countries with the highest greenhouse gas emissions per person]]. In 2019 China is estimated to have emitted 27% of world [[Greenhouse gas|GHG]], followed by the United States with 11%, then India with 6.6%. In total the United States has emitted a quarter of world GHG, more than any other country. Annual emissions are over 15 tons per person and, amongst the top eight emitters, is the highest [[List of countries by greenhouse gas emissions per capita|country by greenhouse gas emissions per person]].

The [[International Energy Agency|IEA]] estimates that the richest decile in the US emits over 55 tonnes of {{CO2}} per capita each year. Because [[Coal power in the United States#Trends, comparisons, and forecasts|coal-fired power stations are gradually shutting down]], in the 2010s emissions from [[Electricity sector of the United States#Electricity generation|electricity generation]] fell to second place behind [[Transportation in the United States|transportation]] which is now the largest single source. In 2020, 27% of the GHG emissions of the United States were from transportation, 25% from electricity, 24% from industry, 13% from commercial and residential buildings and 11% from agriculture.

U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions decreased by 3% in 2023, amounting to a reduction of approximately 134 million metric tons (MMmt). This reduction primarily occurred in the electric power sector, with a significant shift from coal-fired power to more sustainable energy sources like solar and natural gas.

In 2021, the electric power sector was the second largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 25% of the U.S. total. These greenhouse gas emissions are contributing to [[climate change in the United States]], as well as [[Climate change|worldwide]].

{{TOC limit|3}}

==Background==

=== In context of climate change ===

[[File:20211228 Cumulative greenhouse gas emissions by country and region - bar chart.svg|thumb|upright=1.35| Since 1850, the United States has cumulatively contributed the greatest amount of greenhouse gases of any nation or region.]]

[[File:20211026 Cumulative carbon dioxide CO2 emissions by country - bar chart.svg|thumb|upright=1.35| Since 1850, the United States has cumulatively contributed the greatest amount of {{CO2}} of any nation.]]

[[Greenhouse gas]]es absorb [[radiant energy]] from the Earth after the surface is warmed by sunlight. US emissions in 2022 involved carbon dioxide ({{CO2}}, 79.7%), methane ({{CH4}}, 11.1%), nitrous oxide ({{N2O}}, 6.1%) and other gases (e.g., [[fluorinated gases]], 3.1%).

Greenhouse gases vary in how long they remain in the atmosphere. Though methane and nitrous oxide are more potent greenhouse gasses than {{CO2}}, {{CO2}} is longer-lived, remaining in the atmosphere for centuries. The average {{CO2}} concentration in 2024 was over 424 parts per million (ppm), and exceeded 427 ppm in February 2025—each more than 50% higher than its pre-industrial level. Annual US national {{CO2}} emissions were exceeded only by those of China, which has four times the US population. Regardless of where emissions occur, the emitted gases spread around the world. This [[Anthropogenic hazard|anthropogenic]] (human-caused) increase in greenhouses gases has impacts on [[Weather|weather patterns]], [[drought]]s, [[heat wave]]s, [[wildfire]]s, [[ocean acidification]], [[sea level rise]], glacial melting, [[Global temperature record|average global temperatures]], [[extinction]] of species, and so forth.

=== Sources of greenhouse gases ===

Carbon dioxide enters the atmosphere through the mass burning of fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and oil along with trees, [[Municipal solid waste|solid waste]], and [[Biomass|biological materials]]. In 2018, carbon dioxide was estimated to approximately be 81% of all USA greenhouse gases emitted in 2018. Natural [[Carbon cycle|sinks]] and reservoirs absorb carbon dioxide emissions through a process called the [[carbon cycle]]. Sinks and reservoirs can include the [[ocean]], [[forest]]s and [[vegetation]], and the ground.

Methane is mainly produced by [[livestock]] and [[agricultural practices]]. [[Methane]] was estimated to make up 10% of emitted greenhouse gases. From the decrease in non-agricultural GHG emissions during COVID-19, the percent of the USA's GHG emissions from livestock increased from 2.6% to about 5%, which is a smaller percentage than many other countries likely because the USA has more greenhouse gas emissions from vehicles, machines, and factories. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas produced mainly by agriculture. [[Fluorinated gases]] are synthetically produced and used as substitutes for stratospheric [[Ozone depletion|ozone-depleting]] substances.

[[Greenhouse gas]]es are produced from a wide variety of human activities, though some of the greatest impacts come from burning fossil fuels, deforestation, agriculture and industrial manufacturing. In the United States, power generation was the largest source of emissions for many years, but in 2017, the transportation sector overtook it as the leading emissions source. As of that year, the breakdown was transportation at 29%, followed by electricity generation at 28% and industry at 22%.

After carbon dioxide, the next most abundant compound is methane, though there have been methodological differences in how to measure its effects. According to a 2016 study, US [[methane emissions]] were underestimated by the EPA for at least a decade, by some 30 to 50 percent. Currently, the US government is working to reduce methane emissions in the agriculture, mining, landfill, and petroleum industries.

Another area of concern is that of [[Ozone Depleting Substance|ozone-depleting substances]] such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are often potent greenhouse gases with serious [[global warming potential]] (GWP). However, significant progress has been made in reducing the usage of these gases as a result of the [[Montreal Protocol]], the international treaty that took effect in 1989.

=== Major emissions-creating events ===

In February 2018, an explosion and [[Blowout (well drilling)|blowout]] in a natural gas well in [[Belmont County, Ohio]] was detected by the Copernicus [[Sentinel-5 Precursor|Sentinel-5P]] satellite's Tropospheric Monitoring Instrument.  The well was owned by [[XTO Energy]]. About 30 homes were evacuated, and [[brine]] and [[produced water]] were discharged into streams flowing into the Ohio River. The blowout lasted 20 days, releasing more than 50,000 tons of methane into the atmosphere. The blowout leaked more methane than is discharged by most European nations in a year from their oil and gas industries.

[[File:Per Capita CO2 by Region.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Per person, the United States generates carbon dioxide at a far faster rate than other primary regions.]]

[[File:Total CO2 by Region.svg|thumb|upright=1.35|Since 2000, rising {{CO2}} emissions in China and the rest of world have eclipsed the output of the United States and Europe.]]

===Reporting requirement===

Reporting of greenhouse gases was first implemented on a voluntary basis with the creation of a [[United States federal register of greenhouse gas emissions|federal register of greenhouse gas emissions]] authorized under Section 1605(b) of the [[Energy Policy Act of 1992]]. This program provides a means for utilities, industries, and other entities to establish a public record of their emissions and the results of voluntary measures to reduce, avoid, or sequester GHG emission

In 2009, the [[United States Environmental Protection Agency]] established a similar program mandating reporting for facilities that produce 25,000 or more metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. This has resulted in thousands of US companies [[greenhouse gas monitoring|monitoring]] and reporting their greenhouse gas emissions, covering about half of all GHG emissions in the United States.

A separate [[Greenhouse gas inventory|inventory]] of fossil fuel {{CO2}} emissions is provided by [[Project Vulcan]], a [[NASA]]/[[United States Department of Energy|DOE]] funded effort to quantify North American fossil fuel emissions over time.

==Mitigation==

=== Federal Policies ===

The United States government has held shifting attitudes toward addressing greenhouse gas emissions. The [[Presidency of George W. Bush|George W. Bush administration]] opted not to sign the [[Kyoto Protocol]], but the [[Obama administration]] entered the [[Paris Agreement]]. The [[First presidency of Donald Trump|Trump administration]] withdrew from the [[Paris Agreement]] while increasing the export of [[crude oil]] and [[Gasoline|gas]], making the [[United States]] the largest producer.

In 2021, the [[Presidency of Joe Biden|Biden administration]] committed to reducing emissions to half of 2005 levels by 2030. In 2022, [[Joe Biden|President Biden]] signed the [[Inflation Reduction Act of 2022|Inflation Reduction Act]] into law, which is estimated to provide around $375 billion over 10 years to fight climate change. {{As of|2022}} the [[social cost of carbon]] is 51 dollars a tonne whereas academics say it should be more than three times higher.

====Cross-sectoral====

* [https://archive.today/20130905194837/http://epa.gov/statelocalclimate State and Local Climate and Energy Program]

* [[Federal Energy Management Program]]

The transportation sector accounted for nearly 29% of GHG emissions in the United States in 2019, with 58% of emissions coming from light-duty vehicles. {{As of|2021}}, states lack legislation for [[Low-emission zone|low emission zones]]. Programs to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector include:

* The [[Corporate Average Fuel Economy]] (CAFE) Program: Requires automobile manufacturers to meet average fuel economy standards for the light-duty vehicles, large passenger vans and [[SUV]]s sold in the United States. Fuel economy standards vary according to the size of the vehicle.

* Diesel Emissions Reduction Act (DERA) Program: Provides grants for diesel emissions reduction projects and technologies.

====Energy consumption, residential and commercial====

As of 2020, buildings in the United States consume roughly 40% of the country's total electricity and contribute a similar percentage of GHG emissions.

* [[State Energy Program]]

====Energy consumption, industrial====

* [[Energy Star]] for industry

* Industrial Technologies Program (ITP)

==== Energy supply ====

[[File:2000- Electricity generation in the United States.svg|thumb|upright=1.35| Total wind+solar electricity generation now exceeds coal-based energy in the U.S.]]

** CO₂ Storage

====Agriculture====

* [[Environmental Quality Incentives Program]]

* AgSTAR Program

====Forestry====

* [[Healthy Forests Initiative]]

* [[Forest Land Enhancement Program]]

====Waste management====

* The Landfill Methane Outreach Program (LMOP) promotes the use of [[landfill gas]], a naturally occurring byproduct of decaying landfill waste, as a sustainable energy source. Besides reducing emissions, [[landfill gas utilization]] has also been credited for reductions in air pollution, improvements to health and safety conditions, and economic benefits for local communities.

* In addition to reducing emissions from waste already in landfills, the EPA's WasteWise program works with businesses to encourage recycling and source reduction to keep waste out of landfills in the first place.

===Regional initiatives===

* [[Western Climate Initiative]]

* [[National Governors Association|National Governors Association's]] (NGA) ''Securing a Clean Energy Future''.

====California====

* Vehicle Air Pollution (Senate Resolution 27): States and implies that California does not have to adhere to cutbacks in federal emissions standards, thereby allowing stricter California emissions standards than the federal government. This Senate Resolution stems from the previous administration's efforts to reverse environmental policies, and in this case, vehicle emissions standards. California's authority to set its own emissions standards is allowed through California's Clean Air Act [[Federal preemption|preemption]] waiver granted to the state by the EPA in 2009. &nbsp;California's waiver applies to vehicles made in 2009 and later. The previous state standard included a goal for certain vehicles to reach an average 35 miles per gallon. California saw a large decline in vehicle emissions from 2007 to 2013 but a rise in emissions following 2013, which can be attributed to different circumstances, some of which include population and employment growth, and increases in overall state GDP indicating more economic activity in the state.

* In May 2008, the [[Bay Area Air Quality Management District]], which covers nine counties in the [[San Francisco Bay Area]], passed a carbon tax on businesses of 4.4 cents per ton of CO₂.

==== Colorado ====

In November 2006, voters in [[Boulder, Colorado]], passed what is said to be the first municipal carbon tax. It covers electricity consumption with deductions for using electricity from renewable sources (primarily Xcel's WindSource program). The goal is to reduce their emissions by 7% below 1990 levels by 2012. Tax revenues are collected by [[Xcel Energy]] and are directed to the city's Office of Environmental Affairs to fund programs to reduce emissions.

Boulder's Climate Action Plan (CAP) tax was expected to raise $1.6&nbsp;million in 2010. The tax was increased to a maximum allowable rate by voters in 2009 to meet CAP goals. As of 2017 the tax was set at {{val|0.0049|ul=/kWh|p=$}} for residential users (avg. $21 per year), {{val|u=/kWh|p=$0.0009}} for commercial (avg. $94 per year), and {{val|0.0003|u=/kWh|p=$}} for industrial (avg. $9,600 per year). Tax revenues were expected to decrease over time as conservation and renewable energy expand. The tax was renewed by voters on 6 November 2012.

As of 2015, the Boulder carbon tax was estimated to reduce carbon output by over 100,000 tons per year and provided {{US$|1.8 million|long=no}} in revenue. This revenue is invested in bike lanes, energy-efficient solutions, rebates, and community programs. The surcharge has been generally well received.

==== Maryland ====

In May 2010, [[Montgomery County, Maryland]], passed the nation's first county-level carbon tax. The legislation required payments of $5 per ton of CO₂ emitted from any stationary source emitting more than a million tons of carbon dioxide per year. The only source of emissions fitting the criteria is an 850 megawatt coal-fired power plant then owned by [[Mirant Corporation]]. The tax was expected to raise between {{US$|10 million|long=no}} and {{US$|15 million|long=no}} for the county, which faced a nearly {{US$|1 billion|long=no}} budget gap.

The law directed half of tax revenues toward low interest loans for county residents to invest in residential energy efficiency. The county's energy supplier buys its energy at auction, requiring the plant owner to sell its energy at market value, preventing any increase in energy costs. In June 2010, Mirant sued the county to stop the tax. In June 2011 the Federal Court of Appeals ruled that the tax was a fee imposed "for regulatory or punitive purposes" rather than a tax, and therefore could be challenged in court. The County Council repealed the fee in July 2012.

==== GHG reduction targets ====

* States with statutory GHG reduction targets: California, Colorado, Connecticut, Hawaii, Maryland, Maine, Minnesota, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Nevada, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

* States that don't have statutory targets, but have statutory GHG reporting requirements: Iowa and Pennsylvania.

==== Renewable portfolio standards ====

* 38 states have established renewable portfolio standards or voluntary targets, which increase the share of renewable electricity generation over time.

==== Lead by example programs ====

* New Hampshire's Better Buildings Neighborhood Program

* Atlanta's Virginia Highland - 1st Carbon Neutral Zone in the United States

Municipal, county, and regional governments have substantial influence on greenhouse gas emissions, and many have reduction goals and programs. Local governments are often one of the largest employers in their jurisdictions, and can achieve substantial reductions in their own operations, such as by using zero-emissions vehicles, making government buildings energy-efficient, making or buying renewable energy, and providing incentives for employees to walk, bike, or take transit to work. Local governments have control over several policy areas which influence emissions for the population as a whole. These include land use regulations such as [[zoning]]; transportation infrastructure like public transit, parking, and bike lanes; and building codes and efficiency regulations. Some municipalities act as [[utility cooperative]]s and set a minimum standard for renewable generation. Although healthier air is the main benefit of [[Clean Air Zone|clean air zones]] in cities they can have a side effect of reducing greenhouse gas emissions: however as of 2025 it is unclear whether cities in the US have the political power to make clean air zones.

=== Individual action ===

{{See also|Individual action on climate change}}

Actions taken by individuals on climate change include diet, travel alternatives, household energy use, reduced consumption and family size. Individuals can also engage in local and political advocacy around issues of climate change. Individuals have a variety of [[carbon offset]]ting options available to mitigate their environmental impact through non-profit organizations.

=== Business community ===

{{See also|Business action on climate change}}

Numerous large businesses have started cutting emissions and committed to eliminate net emissions by various dates in the future, resulting in higher demand for renewable energy and lower demand for fossil fuel energy. Businesses may also go carbon neutral by enrolling in Carbon''free''® Programs or certifying their products as Carbon''free''®

===Technologies in development===

* Carbon Sequestration Regional Partnerships

* [[High-temperature superconductivity]]

==See also==

{{Portal|Energy}}

* [[List of natural gas-fired power stations in the United States]]

==External links==

{{Wikisource|California AB 1493}}

* [http://www.eia.doe.gov/environment.html Carbon dioxide emissions by fuel] ([[Energy Information Administration]]).

{{Energy in the USA}}

{{North America topic|Greenhouse gas emissions by}}

{{Americas topic|Greenhouse gas emissions by}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Greenhouse Gas Emissions By The United States}}

[[Category:Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States| ]]

[[Category:Energy in the United States]]

{{二次利用|date=6 July 2025, at 01:02}}