In 2023, global CO₂ emissions reached 36.7 billion tons, a slight increase from the previous year. The top five emitting countries—China, the United States, India, Russia, and Japan—together contributed 22.68 billion tons, making up approximately 62% of the global total. On a per capita basis, Qatar, Brunei, Bahrain, Trinidad and Tobago, and Saudi Arabia were the highest emitters, significantly surpassing the world average of 4.5 tons per person. In stark contrast, countries like Malawi, the Central African Republic, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia had some of the lowest per capita emissions, highlighting the disparity in emissions across different regions.

Compared to 2022, emissions increased in 118 countries, decreased in 93, and remained stable in 2. The largest decreases were observed in countries like Germany, the United Kingdom, and Italy, suggesting successful mitigation efforts. Conversely, countries such as China and India saw the most significant increases, reflecting ongoing industrial growth. These trends underscore the ongoing challenges and efforts in balancing development with environmental sustainability. As emissions continue to rise globally, the data highlights the need for coordinated international efforts to address climate change effectively.