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U.S. Emissions

U.S. net emissions declined 12 percent from 2005 to 2017 due to a range of market- and policy-related factors. Electric power sector emissions fell 27 percent as a result of a shift from coal to natural gas, increased use of renewable energy, and a leveling of electricity demand. Improved vehicle efficiency helped reduce transportation-related emissions by nearly 6 percent, although transportation emissions have been increasing since 2012.

C2ES analysis projects that by 2025, U.S. emissions could be 14 percent to 18 percent below 2005 levels, far short of what is needed to address climate change.

Trends in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 1990–2017

Notes

Emissions increased by 1.3 percent between 1990 and 2017 but are down 12.1 percent from the 2007 peak.

Source

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2017 (EPA, 2019)

U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Gas and Sector, 2017

Notes

In 2017, the United States emitted 6.5 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases (CO2e). Carbon dioxide accounted for the largest percentage of greenhouse gases (82%), followed by methane (10%), nitrous oxide (6%), and other greenhouse gases (3%). Total U.S. emissions for 2017 totaled 6,457 million metric tons of CO2e and net emissions, taking sinks into account, totaled 5,743 million metric tons CO2e. Greenhouse gases are emitted by all sectors of the economy, including electric power (28% of total), transportation (29%), industry (22%), residential and commercial (12%), and agriculture (9%).

Source

Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2017 (EPA, 2019)

Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions by Sector (MMtCO2), 2000–2018

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2019)

Trends in CO2 Emissions in the U.S. Power Sector, 2000–2018

Notes

Natural gas, which emits about half the amount of CO2 as coal, is being used more extensively due to its lower price and is displacing coal-fired generation, while petroleum-fired electricity generation continues to be retired.

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2019)

Trends in CO2 Emissions Across All Sectors by Fuel Type, 2000 - 2018

Source

Monthly Energy Review (EIA, 2019)

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