Global carbon emissions rise 1.1% in 2025 as U.S. drives increase

Wednesday 01 July 2026 - 19:10

By: Azzat Manal

Global carbon emissions rise 1.1% in 2025 as U.S. drives increase

Global carbon dioxide emissions from the energy sector increased by 1.1% in 2025, highlighting the ongoing challenges facing the global energy transition despite continued investment in renewable energy and low-carbon technologies.

According to a joint report released by the Energy Institute, Ember, and KPMG, energy-related carbon emissions reached approximately 35.8 billion metric tons during the year. The report attributes much of the increase to higher emissions in the United States, where carbon output rose by 3.1%, accounting for nearly one-third of the overall global increase.

Analysts explain that rising natural gas prices encouraged many electricity producers in the United States to rely more heavily on coal-fired power generation, which emits significantly more carbon dioxide than natural gas. This shift temporarily reversed part of the progress made in reducing emissions across the power sector.

The report also found that global electricity demand expanded by 3% in 2025. The increase was fueled by growing adoption of electric vehicles, rapid expansion of artificial intelligence infrastructure, and the continued construction of large-scale data centers, all of which require substantial amounts of electricity.

Meanwhile, worldwide oil consumption climbed by 1.3%, reaching approximately 103 million barrels per day. However, energy demand trends varied considerably across regions. China recorded a second consecutive annual decline in gasoline and diesel consumption, reflecting structural changes in transportation and industrial activity, while demand for natural gas continued to grow across Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

The report also noted that Europe and India remain heavily dependent on imported natural gas, with imports covering nearly half of their domestic needs. This dependence leaves both regions vulnerable to supply disruptions and price volatility in global energy markets.

The world's five largest energy-related carbon emitters in 2025 were:

China: 11.22 billion metric tons (31.3%)
United States: 4.76 billion metric tons (13.3%)
India: 2.96 billion metric tons (8.3%)
Russia: 1.65 billion metric tons (4.6%)
Japan: 980 million metric tons (2.7%)

Environmental experts emphasize that while renewable energy capacity continues to expand globally, reducing emissions will require faster deployment of clean technologies, improvements in energy efficiency, and a gradual reduction in fossil fuel dependence. They also stress that balancing rising electricity demand with climate goals will remain one of the defining challenges for governments and industries in the coming decades.