CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States
United States: CO₂ emissions embedded in trade was 513.25 million tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States, 1990–2023
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, co₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States stood at 513.25 million tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.5% on the previous year and up 212.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, co₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States peaked at 573.60 million tonnes in 2006 and was at its lowest, -102.03 million tonnes, in 1991.
United States ranks 1st of 120 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | -80.42 million tonnes | — |
| 1991 | -102.03 million tonnes | +26.9% |
| 1992 | 8.77 million tonnes | -108.6% |
| 1993 | -52.43 million tonnes | -698.0% |
| 1994 | -39.39 million tonnes | -24.9% |
| 1995 | -39.28 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1996 | -55.89 million tonnes | +42.3% |
| 1997 | -34.51 million tonnes | -38.3% |
| 1998 | 102.53 million tonnes | -397.1% |
| 1999 | 137.17 million tonnes | +33.8% |
| 2000 | 206.54 million tonnes | +50.6% |
| 2001 | 245.52 million tonnes | +18.9% |
| 2002 | 326.00 million tonnes | +32.8% |
| 2003 | 429.06 million tonnes | +31.6% |
| 2004 | 444.23 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2005 | 529.11 million tonnes | +19.1% |
| 2006 | 573.60 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 2007 | 405.19 million tonnes | -29.4% |
| 2008 | 298.85 million tonnes | -26.2% |
| 2009 | 239.98 million tonnes | -19.7% |
| 2010 | 220.58 million tonnes | -8.1% |
| 2011 | 198.43 million tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2012 | 218.86 million tonnes | +10.3% |
| 2013 | 164.29 million tonnes | -24.9% |
| 2014 | 227.01 million tonnes | +38.2% |
| 2015 | 325.03 million tonnes | +43.2% |
| 2016 | 312.40 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2017 | 330.71 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 2018 | 323.30 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2019 | 344.16 million tonnes | +6.5% |
| 2020 | 413.13 million tonnes | +20.0% |
| 2021 | 469.55 million tonnes | +13.7% |
| 2022 | 510.59 million tonnes | +8.7% |
| 2023 | 513.25 million tonnes | +0.5% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 513.25 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 9.84 million tonnes, 52.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where CO₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | -698.0% | 8.77 million tonnes | -52.43 million tonnes |
| 1998 | +397.1% | -34.51 million tonnes | 102.53 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | -15.55 million tonnes | -102.03 million tonnes | 137.17 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 369.81 million tonnes | 206.54 million tonnes | 573.60 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 266.48 million tonnes | 164.29 million tonnes | 344.16 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 476.63 million tonnes | 413.13 million tonnes | 513.25 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near United States
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is co₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States?
- Co₂ emissions embedded in trade in United States was 513.25 million tonnes in 2023, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest co₂ emissions embedded in trade recorded in United States?
- The highest recorded value was 573.60 million tonnes in 2006.
- What is the lowest co₂ emissions embedded in trade recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was -102.03 million tonnes in 1991.
- How does United States rank for co₂ emissions embedded in trade?
- United States ranks 1st out of 120 countries with data for 2023.
- Is co₂ emissions embedded in trade rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 212.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of CO₂ emissions embedded in trade. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual net carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions embedded in trade, measured in tonnes.