Emissions
Visualized: Per Capita Electricity Emissions, by State
The following content is sponsored by the National Public Utilities Council
Per Capita Electricity Emissions by State
The U.S. is the second-largest CO₂ emitter worldwide, with electric power contributing significantly to the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
In collaboration with the National Public Utilities Council, this graphic uses data from eGrid to showcase per-capita electricity emissions by state and each state’s largest source of power.
U.S. Power Sector: Second in CO₂ Emissions
According to the Global Carbon Atlas, the top three global polluters are China, the U.S., and India—accounting for half of the world’s CO₂ emissions.
The U.S., however, leads by far in terms of CO₂ emissions per capita, with 15.3 metric tons per person, while China and India have lower rates at 7.4 and 1.9, respectively.
A substantial portion of these emissions comes from electricity generation. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the electric power sector is the second-largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, contributing 25% to the total.
Examining emissions per state, Wyoming, North Dakota, and West Virginia top the list of CO₂ emissions per capita, relying primarily on coal as their source of energy.
Here is a table showing emissions by state per capita, from highest to lowest:
State | CO2 emissions in tons per capita (2021) | Biggest Source of Electricity (2021) |
---|---|---|
Wyoming | 68.77 t | Coal |
North Dakota | 37.08 t | Coal |
West Virginia | 35.84 t | Coal |
Kentucky | 13.40 t | Coal |
Montana | 11.78 t | Coal |
Indiana | 11.28 t | Coal |
Arkansas | 10.97 t | Coal |
Nebraska | 10.87 t | Coal |
Alabama | 10.61 t | Natural Gas |
Missouri | 10.20 t | Coal |
Utah | 9.95 t | Coal |
Mississippi | 9.57 t | Natural Gas |
New Mexico | 9.40 t | Coal |
Louisiana | 8.67 t | Natural Gas |
Iowa | 8.08 t | Wind |
Kansas | 8.07 t | Wind |
Oklahoma | 7.62 t | Wind |
Texas | 6.96 t | Natural Gas |
Wisconsin | 6.92 t | Coal |
Pennsylvania | 6.74 t | Natural Gas |
Ohio | 6.45 t | Natural Gas |
Colorado | 5.95 t | Coal |
Michigan | 5.76 t | Coal |
Arizona | 5.41 t | Natural Gas |
South Carolina | 5.36 t | Nuclear |
Nevada | 4.74 t | Natural Gas |
Hawaii | 4.73 t | Petroleum |
Florida | 4.70 t | Natural Gas |
Illinois | 4.67 t | Nuclear |
Georgia | 4.36 t | Natural Gas |
Minnesota | 4.28 t | Coal |
Alaska | 4.13 t | Natural Gas |
North Carolina | 4.11 t | Natural Gas |
Tennessee | 3.96 t | Nuclear |
Rhode Island | 3.54 t | Natural Gas |
Virginia | 3.22 t | Natural Gas |
Connecticut | 3.13 t | Natural Gas |
South Dakota | 2.93 t | Wind |
Oregon | 2.34 t | Hydro |
Maryland | 2.16 t | Nuclear |
New Hampshire | 1.88 t | Nuclear |
Delaware | 1.86 t | Natural Gas |
New Jersey | 1.59 t | Natural Gas |
Washington | 1.44 t | Hydro |
New York | 1.42 t | Natural Gas |
California | 1.21 t | Natural Gas |
Idaho | 1.20 t | Hydro |
Maine | 1.19 t | Hydro |
Massachusetts | 1.18 t | Natural Gas |
District of Columbia | 0.09 t | Natural Gas |
Vermont | 0.06 t | Hydro |
Interestingly, from the top 10 on our list, only Alabama doesn’t have coal as the main source of electricity.
Conversely, four of the 10 states with the lowest CO₂ emissions per capita rely more heavily on renewables, especially hydropower.
Two of the largest consumers, California and Texas, have natural gas as their main source of electricity, but also maintain a significant share of renewable sources, with 34% and 44%, respectively.
Although coal accounted for 59% of CO₂ emissions from the energy sector, it represented only 23% of the electricity generated in the United States. Natural gas accounted for 37% of electricity generation in 2021.
The Transition to Low-Emission Sources
The U.S. has set a goal to reach 100% carbon pollution-free electricity by 2035.
Transitioning to low-emission energy sources like hydroelectricity, biomass, wind, and solar is essential for meeting U.S. climate goals.
In addition, clean energy stands out as the most significant job creator in America’s energy sector, with over 3 million Americans employed in clean energy jobs during 2021.
By embracing more renewables and nuclear power, U.S. utilities can reduce emissions and contribute to economic development.
Click here to learn more about how electric utilities and the power sector can lead on the path toward decarbonization.
Emissions
Visualized: Which Countries Capture the Most Carbon?
This voronoi depicts the countries that capture the most carbon globally in 2023, with data from Rystad Energy.

Visualized: Which Countries Capture the Most Carbon?
In 2023, most carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) capacity came from only two countries, which captured 33 million metric tons combined. However, according to the IEA, we must remove one billion metric tons of carbon annually to reach the net zero target by 2050.
We’ve taken data from The Energy Institute’s 2024 Statistical Review of World Energy to make this voronoi graphic, created in partnership with the National Public Utilities Council, showing which countries had the highest carbon capture capacity in 2023.
The Leaders in Capturing Carbon
In 2023, the U.S. and Brazil led the way on carbon capture with 60% of all global capacity combined. Although Brazil’s carbon capture comes from one single plant, the U.S. has more individual plants than any other country.
Country | Capture Capacity, Mt Per Year (2023) | Capture Capacity, Share (2023) |
---|---|---|
🇺🇸 U.S. | 22.5 | 40.9% |
🇧🇷 Brazil | 10.6 | 19.3% |
🇨🇦 Canada | 4.0 | 7.3% |
🇦🇺 Australia | 4.0 | 7.3% |
🇨🇳 China | 3.5 | 6.4% |
🇶🇦 Qatar | 2.3 | 4.1% |
🇳🇴 Norway | 1.7 | 3.1% |
🇸🇦 Saudi Arabia | 1.3 | 2.4% |
🇩🇿 Algeria | 1.2 | 2.2% |
🇷🇺 Russia | 0.4 | 0.8% |
Rest of the World | 3.5 | 6.2% |
Total | 55 | 100% |
The largest growth in carbon capture capacity year-over-year came from China, whose capacity more than tripled from 1.1 to 3.5 Mt.
The Technology
All models for reaching climate targets involve significant amounts of CCUS. The technology is considered a necessity due to the existing amounts of greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere and the sectors that won’t soon be electrified, such as air travel.
The primary CCUS technology is post-combustion, which power plants primarily use to separate carbon from the exhaust. Pre-combustion capture refers to removing CO₂ from fossil fuels before combustion is completed.
According to the International Energy Agency, calcium looping is another promising separation technology under development. It removes carbon dioxide from the flue gases of a cement plant using a calcium oxide sorbent and has the potential to decarbonize cement manufacturing.
Reaching Net Zero
The world’s annual CCUS capacity in 2023 amounted to a total of 55 million metric tons. However, that capacity must increase to over one billion metric tons to achieve net zero by 2050.
In 2023, the annual growth of global CCUS capacity was 6.6%. At that pace, we will not reach the net zero target for carbon capture until 2070. To reach the net zero target for carbon capture by 2050, the annual carbon capacity growth rate must almost double to at least 11% per year.
However, some countries will need more than others, as only one-third of CO₂ is projected to come from advanced economies.
The IEA cites cost as the main reason the CCUS industry falls short but insists reaching net zero is nearly impossible without it. Thus, the IEA urges the public sector to step in where private funding falls short.
Learn how the National Public Utilities Council is working toward the future of sustainable electricity.
Decarbonization
Visualized: Emission Reduction Targets by Country in 2024
This infographic shows the greenhouse gas emissions targets of all countries and their target years with data from Net Zero Tracker.

Visualized: Emission Reduction Targets by Country in 2024
Since 2021, another 40 countries have established climate goals for 2030. However, the path to net zero remains uneven.
With average national warming already 1.81°C above pre-industrial levels, the international pressure for countries to cut emissions faster and deeper is mounting. So where do countries stand today on their targets?
We’ve partnered with the National Public Utilities Council to answer just this question, using the latest national emission target data from Net Zero Tracker.
A Spotlight on Major Players
The largest countries and richest economies typically emit the most greenhouse gases and thus have the most crucial targets.
Country | End Target | End Target Year | New Commitment |
---|---|---|---|
Benin | Net zero | 2000 | Achieved |
Bhutan | Carbon negative | 2030 | Achieved |
Comoros | Net zero | 2050 | Achieved |
Gabon | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Achieved |
Guyana | Net zero | 2050 | Achieved |
Suriname | Net zero | 2050 | Achieved |
Albania | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Algeria | Reduction v. business-as-usual (BAU) | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Barbados | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Belarus | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Botswana | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Brunei | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Cameroon | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Congo | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Côte d'Ivoire | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Cuba | Other | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Czech Republic | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | In law |
Dominica | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Egypt | Other | 2030 | Not legally binding |
El Salvador | Absolute emissions target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Eswatini | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Guatemala | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | In law |
Honduras | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Iran | Other | 2030 | In law |
Iraq | Other | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Jamaica | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Jordan | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Kenya | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Liechtenstein | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Macedonia | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Maldives | Net zero | 2030 | In law |
Mauritania | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Mexico | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Moldova | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Mongolia | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Montenegro | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Morocco | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
North Korea | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Paraguay | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Philippines | Reduction v. BAU | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Poland | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Qatar | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
San Marino | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Serbia | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | In law |
Tajikistan | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Turkmenistan | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Uzbekistan | Emissions intensity target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Venezuela | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Zimbabwe | Emissions reduction target | 2030 | Not legally binding |
Bermuda | Other | 2035 | Not legally binding |
Finland | Climate neutral | 2035 | In law |
Antigua and Barbuda | Net zero | 2040 | Not legally binding |
Austria | Climate neutral | 2040 | In law |
Cayman Islands | Other | 2040 | Not legally binding |
Iceland | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2040 | In law |
Myanmar | Net zero | 2040 | Not legally binding |
Palestine | Other | 2040 | Not legally binding |
Denmark | Net zero | 2045 | Not legally binding |
Germany | Climate neutral | 2045 | In law |
Nepal | Net zero | 2045 | Not legally binding |
Sweden | Net zero | 2045 | In law |
Afghanistan | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Andorra | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Angola | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Argentina | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Armenia | Climate neutral | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Australia | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Azerbaijan | Emissions reduction target | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Bangladesh | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Belgium | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Belize | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | Emissions reduction target | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Brazil | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Bulgaria | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Burkina Faso | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Burundi | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Cambodia | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Canada | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Cape Verde | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Central African Republic | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Chad | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Chile | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | In law |
Colombia | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | In law |
Cook Islands | Carbon neutral | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Costa Rica | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Croatia | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Cyprus | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Djibouti | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Dominican Republic | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Ecuador | Zero carbon | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Equatorial Guinea | Emissions reduction target | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Eritrea | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Estonia | Zero emissions | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Ethiopia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
European Union | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Fiji | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
France | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Georgia | Climate neutral | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Greece | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Grenada | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Guinea | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Guinea-Bissau | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Haiti | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Hungary | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Ireland | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Israel | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Italy | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Japan | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | In law |
Kiribati | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Kyrgyzstan | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Laos | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Latvia | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Lebanon | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Lesotho | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Liberia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Lithuania | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Luxembourg | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Madagascar | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Malawi | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Malaysia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Mali | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Malta | Climate neutral | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Marshall Islands | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Mauritius | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Micronesia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Monaco | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Mozambique | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Namibia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Nauru | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Netherlands | Emissions reduction target | 2050 | In law |
New Zealand | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Nicaragua | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Niger | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Niue | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Norway | Emissions reduction target | 2050 | In law |
Oman | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Pakistan | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Palau | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Panama | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Papua New Guinea | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Peru | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Portugal | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | In law |
Romania | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Rwanda | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Saint Lucia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Samoa | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Sao Tome and Principe | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Senegal | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Seychelles | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Sierra Leone | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Singapore | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Slovakia | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Slovenia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Solomon Islands | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Somalia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
South Africa | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
South Korea | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
South Sudan | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Spain | Climate neutral | 2050 | In law |
Sri Lanka | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Sudan | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Switzerland | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Tanzania | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
The Bahamas | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
The Gambia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Timor-Leste | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Togo | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Tonga | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Trinidad and Tobago | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Tunisia | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Tuvalu | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Uganda | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
United Arab Emirates | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
United Kingdom | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
United States of America | Net zero | 2050 | In law |
Uruguay | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Vanuatu | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Vatican City | Carbon Neutral | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Vietnam | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Yemen | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Zambia | Net zero | 2050 | Not legally binding |
Bahrain | Net zero | 2060 | Not legally binding |
China | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Indonesia | Net zero | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Kazakhstan | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Kuwait | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Russian Federation | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Saudi Arabia | Net zero | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Türkiye | Net zero | 2053 | Not legally binding |
Ukraine | Carbon neutral(ity) | 2060 | Not legally binding |
Ghana | Net zero | 2070 | Not legally binding |
India | Net zero | 2070 | Not legally binding |
Nigeria | Net zero | 2070 | In law |
Thailand | Net zero | 2065 | Not legally binding |
Bolivia | No target | N/A | None |
Libya | No target | N/A | None |
Syrian Arab Republic | No target | N/A | None |
The United States has an interim goal of a 50-52% reduction in emissions below 2005 levels by 2030, with a net zero target set for 2050.
Their primary economic rival, China, is focused on peaking its CO₂ emissions by 2030 instead of reducing them. Their net zero target, on the other hand, is currently set for 2060.
The European Union requires all 27 member states to reduce emissions 55% by 2030, with a net-zero goal for 2050.
Australia, which is among the top emitters per capita because of its fossil fuel usage, aims to reduce emissions by 43% from 2005 levels by 2030, while their net zero target is set for 2050.
Ambitious Climate Leaders and Laggards
While Comoros, Bhutan, Gabon, Suriname, and Guyana claim to have already achieved net zero, several major countries lack commitment.
Russia, one of the world’s largest polluters, has a net zero target set for 2060. Several other top-emitting countries, such as India and Indonesia, have net zero targets that also do not meet the Paris Climate Accord timeline of net zero by 2050. Their net-zero commitments are targeted at 2070 and 2060, respectively.
Iran is the only one of the top 10 largest emitting nations without a net zero target. However, it has an interim target of reducing emissions 3.45% by 2030.
Finland leads all countries with a legally binding net zero target set for the ambitious year 2035. Germany, a more populous nation, is also topping the Paris Climate Accord timeline, enshrining its net zero target into law for 2045.
The global race to net zero is ongoing, with countries at various stages of commitment. While significant progress has been made, many of the world’s largest emitters have yet to commit to net zero emission goals aligned with the Paris Climate Accord.
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