In 2022, the transportation sector released more greenhouse gas emissions than any other: more than 1.8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent emissions, or 28.4% of emissions overall.
Since 1990, emissions have increased for the transportation, agricultural, commercial and residential sectors. Conversely, emissions from the electric power, industrial and US territories have declined.
Power plants stood out among the highest greenhouse gas-emitting facilities reported to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in 2023: — 82 of the top 100 reporting facilities were power generation sites. In September 2025, the EPA proposed a rule change to eliminate greenhouse gas emission reporting until 2034.
How much greenhouse gas does the US emit?
In 2022, the US emitted 6.3 billion metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in carbon dioxide (CO2) equivalent metric tons. That’s 3.0% lower than measured in 1990, and 15.8% lower than 2007, when the US hit its recorded peak of 7,530 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
For context, a typical passenger vehicle in the US emits an average of 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Emissions in 2022 were equivalent to nearly 1.4 billion cars.
While total emissions declined by 3.0% from 1990 to 2022, greenhouse gas emissions per person decreased by 27.3%.
US greenhouse gas emissions have fallen 15.8% since peaking in 2007.
Gross and per capita US greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent metric tons, 1990–2022
Per person emissions estimates can be imprecise as they aggregate national emissions, including those from businesses, power plants, and agricultural activities, and divide them by the total population. This method doesn’t differentiate between emissions caused by personal actions or industries, so it may not accurately represent individual carbon footprints. It does, however, provide a scale relative to population for geographic comparisons.
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Which industries and sectors are the biggest emitters in the US?
In 2022, most US greenhouse gas emissions came from three economic sectors: transportation (28.4%), electricity production (24.9%), and industry (22.9%).
Emissions from electricity production have fallen 24% in the last decade.
Gross US greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent metric tons, by economic sector, 1990–2022
Transportation
Transportation
The transportation sector (28.4% of 2022 emissions), responsible for moving people and goods via cars, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes, and other vehicles, predominantly emits greenhouse gases from burning fossil fuels. In 2022, over 94% of the sector’s energy came from petroleum products such as gasoline and diesel.
Electricity production
Electricity production
The electric power sector (24.9% of 2022 emissions) involves the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. In 2022, 60% of the country’s electricity came from burning fossil fuels, namely coal and natural gas.
Electricity production includes end-use emissions from sectors such as industrial, residential, and commercial. If these emissions were assigned to the sectors using the electricity, such as residential and commercial end-use, their reported emissions would increase.
Industry
Industry
The industrial sector (22.9% of 2022 emissions) encompasses the greenhouse gases emitted during the production of goods and raw materials. Emissions are produced by burning fuel, leaking industrial processes and equipment, and from natural gas and petroleum systems.
Agriculture
Agriculture
The agricultural sector (10.0% of 2022 emissions) contributes to emissions through crop and livestock production. For example, land management practices that increase nitrogen in soil can result in nitrous oxide emissions, which are roughly 265 times stronger at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide emissions.
Additionally, livestock, namely cattle, produce methane through their digestion. Methane is about 28 times stronger than carbon dioxide emissions and accounts for over a quarter of agricultural sector greenhouse gas emissions.
Commercial and residential
Commercial and residential
The commercial and residential sectors (7.3% and 6.2% of 2022 emissions, respectively) account for greenhouse gases from all homes and commercial businesses (excluding agricultural and industrial activities). Emissions are produced, in part, by heating and cooking, management of waste and wastewater, and leaks from fluorinated gases used in air conditioning and refrigeration.
US Territories
US Territories
Emissions from US territories (0.4% of 2022 emissions) are unique to each territory and are not categorized under any specific economic sector.
Who are the largest emitters in the US?
The Greenhouse Gas Emissions database collects emissions records for sites that are the large greenhouse gas emitters. Data from 2023 tracks 7,544 facilities emitting 2,578 million metric tons of greenhouse gases. Of these, 1,320 power plants contributed 57.1% of reported emissions despite representing 17.5% of the facilities in the database. Petroleum and natural gas systems came second in overall emissions at 12.5% of greenhouse gases from 2,298, or 30.5%, of reporting facilities.
Remaining emissions came from refineries, and chemical, mineral, waste, metal, or pulp and paper facilities.
In 2022, the database had the emissions records of 7,615 individual facilities, emitting 2,696 million metric tons of greenhouse gases — roughly 42.5% of total emissions that year.
Alabama's James H. Miller Jr. electric power plant is the nation's largest individual emissions contributor.
Top 100 greenhouse gas emitters in the US by facility, 2023
The 100 largest emission-producing facilities contributed over 675 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2023.
Which states emit the most greenhouse gases?
Texas had the largest portion of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022 at over 862 million metric tons. That’s 13.5% of total emissions. For context, Texas made up 9.0% of the US population that year.
The next four emitting states in 2022 accounted for 18.4% of total emissions, including California (6.2%), Florida (4.4%), Pennsylvania (4.2%), and Ohio (3.7%).
Texas is the top greenhouse gas emitter, producing 14% of the US total.
Total greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent metric tons, 2022
On a per-person basis, Wyoming had the highest emissions rate at 144.2 metric tons of greenhouse gases per person, exceeding the nationwide average by more than 7.5 times (the US average is 19.0 metric tons per person). This was followed by North Dakota (114.2 metric tons), West Virginia (64.8), Alaska (63.8), and Louisiana (49.7).
Wyoming has the highest emissions rate per person; Massachusetts has the lowest.
Per capita greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent metric tons, 2022
Many factors affect variations in per person emissions, including population density, what energy industries are in each state, energy sources, and efforts to implement renewable energy resources and reduce emissions.
In 2022, the top five states with the highest per-person emissions also had the greatest energy intensity rates. Energy intensity, the amount of energy required to produce one unit of economic output, suggests that these states use and distribute energy less efficiently than others.
West Virginia and Wyoming had 2022’s highest carbon intensity rates, which is the amount of carbon dioxide released to produce a kilowatt hour of electricity. This means these states are more reliant on energy sources that emit high levels of greenhouse gases.
Which states have reduced greenhouse gas emissions?
Between 1990 and 2022, 26 states and Washington, DC, reduced overall emissions, with Washington, DC, (-34.5%), West Virginia (-29.4%), and Delaware (-27.2%) leading. Conversely, Idaho had the highest emission rate increase (+71.6%).
Idaho's emissions increased by 72% over 32 years, while West Virginia's decreased by 29%.
Percentage change in greenhouse gas emissions in CO2 equivalent metric tons, 1990–2022
How do US emissions compare to the rest of the world?
As of 2023, the US was responsible for 12.9% of global carbon dioxide emissions. While this excludes emissions from other greenhouse gases like methane and nitrous oxide, it gives an imperfect look at the proportion of emissions by regions of the world.
The US share of global carbon dioxide emissions has fallen from 25.4% in 1980, in part due to the rise of emissions from East and Southeast Asia. This includes China, whose share of global CO2 emissions grew from 8.5% in 1980 to 32.9% in 2023, and India, whose share increased from 1.4% to 7.6%.
In 2023, 10 countries were responsible for 70.6% of global carbon dioxide emissions.
Total carbon dioxide emissions in metric tons, by country, 2023
Ten countries accounted for 70.6% of CO2 emissions in 2023, despite representing 49% of the population. These include China (32.9%), the United States (12.9%), India (7.6%), Russia (5.0%), Japan (2.6%), Indonesia (2.2%), Iran (2.2%), Saudi Arabia (1.8%), South Korea (1.7%), and Germany (1.6%).
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Page sources and methodology
All of the data on the page was sourced directly from government agencies. The analysis and final review was performed by USAFacts.
Environmental Protection Agency
Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer
Environmental Protection Agency
Sources of US Greenhouse Gas Emissions
