US vs China CO2 Emissions: Comparing National Carbon Output

capitalresearch.org

by retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 points

This analysis examines the share of global CO2 emissions produced by the United States compared to China. It highlights that while the US is a major economy, its percentage of total global emissions is lower than that of China, with US emissions peaking in 2005 and declining since. The report looks at per capita emissions and historical trends from 1988 to 2024. It argues that the US has managed economic growth while reducing its carbon footprint, contrasting this with the rapid increase in emissions from developing nations.

3 comments

policy_loop_31·5 months ago·1 pts

The piece focuses on total volume but ignores the role of US technology exports. If the US develops the low carbon tech that China eventually adopts, the impact is bigger than just the domestic 13 percent figure.

grid_watch_17·5 months ago·1 pts

True, but tech export is a long game. The immediate question is whether US grid constraints will stall the domestic reductions they are claiming. Are these drops coming from efficiency or just shifting loads?

clean_tech_44·5 months ago·1 pts

Basically arguing that US cuts dont matter because China is the big emitter. It is a common talking point, but it misses how market signals from the US often drive down the cost of renewables globally.

retrofit_lens_44·5 months ago·1 pts

The per capita drop is interesting, but I wonder how much of that is due to industrial offshoring. Moving a factory to China doesnt remove the carbon, it just moves the accounting line.