Climate Fact Sheets | July 2022

GLOBAL GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS

Key indicators on global greenhouse gas emission levels

Anthropogenic drivers of climate change are primarily through greenhouse gas emissions from
activities in sectors such as energy, transport, waste, and agriculture, as well as industrial processes,
and forestry and land use change. Increased greenhouse gas concentration in the atmosphere
interrupts the climate system, which drives extreme and slow onset weather events. Countries are
thus working together to mitigate the adverse effects of climate change by reducing and avoiding
emissions at a level that ensures natural adaptation, food security, and equitable development.

Key Facts and Figures1

~59 In 2019, the global

anthropogenic GHG emissions for
net
144.35 In 2010, the Philippines emitted a total
of 144.352 MtCO2e with a net
B 2019 is ~59 billion metric tons of
carbon dioxide equivalent (BtCO2e)
2 sequestration 37.007 MtCO2e from
the FOLU sector, hence a net
BtCO2e MtCO2e emission of 107.345 MtCO2e. 2/3
~51 The cumulative global non-LULUCF
GHG emissions from countries is
(66.682%) come from the Energy and
Agriculture Sectors and 1/3 (33.318)
GtCO2e about ~51 GtCO2e, where 3/4
from the Transport, Waste, and
(75%) came from China, United Industrial Processes and Product
States, European Union (27),
India, Russia, Brazil, Japan, 40th Use sectors
Indonesia, Iran, Mexico, Canada,
The Philippines ranks 40th with a
Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and
percent share of 0.3996% of the 1990-
Australia
2019 cumulative GHG emissions
0.49% The Philippines emitted a miniscule
share of the world’s estimated total
(without LULUCF) or a total emission
of 4,921.89 MtCO2e. The Philippines
greenhouse gas emissions in 2019
would be 35th if EU countries
at only 0.49% of 51 GtCO2e or
emissions are aggregated.
about 251.53 MTCO2e

Accounting for Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks

At the minimum, GHG emissions are estimated using two inputs: activity data and emission factor.
Activity data is the magnitude of human activity resulting in emissions or removals taking place during
a given period of time2. Emission factor is coefficient that quantifies the emissions or removals of a
gas per unit activity3. Countries usually account for carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous
oxide (N2O), sulfur hexafluoride (SF6), hydroflurocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and
nitrogen trifluoride (NF3).

Another important variable is the global warming potential (GWP), are calculated as the ratio of the
radiative forcing of one kilogramme greenhouse gas emitted to the atmosphere to that from one
kilogramme CO2 over a period of time (e.g., 100 years) 4. This enables the conversion of greenhouse
gases into their carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) used in determining the emission factor.

1
Data source: Minx et al., (2021), A comprehensive and synthetic dataset for global, regional and national greenhouse gas emissions by sector 1970-2018 with an extension to
2019. Accessible at https://zenodo.org/record/5566761#.YsBy33ZBxPY
2
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories
3
ibid.,
4
ibid.,
 Climate Factsheets | July 2022

Profile of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions5

Top Greenhouse Gas Emitters from 1990-20196 by Country/Region

Aggregate Emission estimates

Rank Country/Region 1990-2019 %share
(in MtCO2e)
1 China 260,373.66 21.1393%
2 United States 201,097.34 16.3268%
3 EU 133,781.53 10.8615%
4 India 71,370.62 5.7945%
5 Russian Federation 69,973.48 5.6810%
6 Japan 40,632.99 3.2989%
7 Brazil 31,437.19 2.5523%
8 Indonesia 21,794.11 1.7694%
9 Canada 21,499.33 1.7455%
10 Mexico 20,234.16 1.6428%
…
35 Philippines 4,921.89 0.3996%
…
Total World Emissions 1,231,703.90 100%

Countries have emitted a total of 1,231,703.90 MtCO2e from 1990 until

2019 (excluding LULUCF, international aviation, and international
shipping).

The Philippines, with 4,921.89 MtCO2e total emissions or 0.3996% (~0.4%)

of the world’s total ranks 35th in the list if the European Union(EU)
countries’ emissions are aggregated, and 40th if EU countries are
accounted separately.

ASEAN Greenhouse Gas Emissions from 1990-20197 by Country

Aggregate Emission
estimates
Rank Country/Region %share
1990-2019
(in MtCO2e)
1 Indonesia 21794.11 37.59%
2 Thailand 10692.96 18.44%
3 Vietnam 7205.43 12.43%
4 Malaysia 6872.14 11.85%
5 Philippines 4921.89 8.49%
6 Myanmar 3137.02 5.41%
7 Singapore 1630.25 2.81%
8 Cambodia 876.54 1.51%
9 Lao PDR 476.67 0.82%
10 Brunei Darussalam 365.95 0.63%
Total ASEAN Region Emissions 57972.95 100%

The ASEAN region accounts for only 5% of the world’s aggregate 1990-2019
emissions with only 57,972.95 MTCO2e. Indonesia has the highest share in the
ASEAN at 37.59% and 8th globally at 1.77%.

5
Data source: Minx et al., (2021), A comprehensive and synthetic dataset for global, regional and national greenhouse gas emissions by sector 1970-2018 with an extension to
2019. Accessible at https://zenodo.org/record/5566761#.YsBy33ZBxPY
6
Aggregated country GHG emissions estimates from 1990-2019 with emphasis on the top 10 countries/group of countries (representing the 70% of total GHG emissions from
1990-2019) and the Philippines on each country’s share on the total GHG emissions. European Union countries aggregated in the list. Total emissions do not include emissions
from LULUCF, int’l aviation, and int’l shipping.
7
ASEAN countries GHG emissions profile. in comparison with the Philippines. Total emissions do not include emissions from LULUCF
 Climate Factsheets | July 2022

The Philippines ranks 5th in the ASEAN 1990-2019 cumulative emissions with a
share of 8.49%.