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U.S. carbon dioxide emissions per capita from 2021 to 2050 (in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)
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emissions per capita from 2021 to 2050 (in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)

Description
Carbon dioxide emissions
EIA metric tons in 2021. This w
EIA capita emissions in the U.
2021 related lockdowns. Althou
rise to some 14.7 metric to
United States
show that by 2050 they wi
n.a.
n.a.
n.a.
n.a. figures for 2021 through 2050 are estimates; according to the source, forecasts are
The COVID-19 impacts on em
based on a business-as-usual trend estimate, given known technology and
technological and demographic trends. U.S. CO2 emissions plum
metric tons (GtCO2). This
recorded since 1983. The
outbreak of COVID-19 and
EIA across the country. These
March 2022 sectors, specifically transp
Annual Energy Outlook 2022, table 18 emissions rebounded in 2
193174 annual emissions for more

Why have U.S. emissions

While COVID-19 had a sig

releases of CO2 in the U.S
decades. U.S. CO2 emiss
to 2005, and in 2007 reac
emissions have mostly be
5.14 GtCO2. While there i
the shift away from coal-p
gas and renewable energy
in reducing U.S. emission
Description
Carbon dioxide emissions per capita in the United States were 14.5
metric tons in 2021. This was an increase from 2020, when per
capita emissions in the U.S. plummeted as a result of COVID-19-
related lockdowns. Although per capita emissions are expected to
rise to some 14.7 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2022, projections
show that by 2050 they will have fallen to 12.6 metric tons.

COVID-19 impacts on emissions

U.S. CO2 emissions plummeted 11 percent in 2020 to 4.6 billion

metric tons (GtCO2). This was the lowest annual release of CO2
recorded since 1983. The reduction in 2020 was caused by the
outbreak of COVID-19 and the subsequent lockdowns implemented
across the country. These restrictions saw emissions from polluting
sectors, specifically transportation, to fall considerably. Although
emissions rebounded in 2021, they were still the second lowest
annual emissions for more than three decades.

Why have U.S. emissions fallen?

While COVID-19 had a significant affect on emissions, annual

releases of CO2 in the U.S. have been in decline over the past two
decades. U.S. CO2 emissions had been rising fast in the years prior
to 2005, and in 2007 reached a peak of 6.01 GtCO2. Since then,
emissions have mostly been in decline, and by 2019 had dropped to
5.14 GtCO2. While there is no single cause for these reductions,
the shift away from coal-power and the transition towards natural
gas and renewable energy sources has certainly played a key role
in reducing U.S. emissions.
Carbon dioxide emissions per person in the U.S. 2021-2050
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions per capita from 2021 to 2050 (in metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)

2021
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
2027
2028
2029
2030
2031
2032
2033
2034
2035
2036
2037
2038
2039
2040
2041
2042
2043
2044
2045
2046
2047
2048
2049
2050
14.50
14.70
14.60
14.10
13.90
13.80
13.70
13.60
13.40
13.30
13.20
13.10
13.10
12.90
12.80
12.70
12.60
12.60
12.60
12.60
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.50
12.60
12.60
12.60