WRI warns that greenhouse gases are increasing. Image by DANIEL DIAZ from Pixabay

WRI warns that greenhouse gases are increasing

10 March 2020

World Resources Institute has published new data showing the global greenhouse gas emissions. Although emissions of some gases are in decline, others such as methane are increasing. Summarising, WRI warns that greenhouse gases are increasing, at least 41% since 1990.


However, is fair to say in the last years a slight decline is appreciated in the graph.

The data show a reliable data up to 2016.

The top 10 emitters accounting for over two-thirds of annual global greenhouse gas emissions. China is the biggest emitter at 26% of global greenhouse gas emissions, followed by the United States at 13%, the European Union at 7.8% and India at 6.7%.

Most of them also have large populations and economies. Together they account for over 50% of the global population and almost 60% of the world’s GDP.

Energy consumption is by far the biggest source of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for a whopping 73% worldwide. The energy sector includes transportation, electricity and heat, buildings, manufacturing and construction, fugitive emissions and other fuel combustion.

The other top sectors that produce emissions are agriculture, such as livestock and crop cultivation(12%); land use, land-use change and forestry, such as deforestation (6.5%); industrial processes of chemicals, cement and more (5.6%); and waste, including landfills and waste of water (3.2%).

WRI warns that greenhouse gases are increasing. Nuclear power emits a few gases. Published at The Green Bee: Eco-Journalism. Author Juanele Villanueva
Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay

World Resources Institute (WRI) is a global research organization that spans more than 60 countries. Their more than 700 experts and staff turn big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity and human well-being.

The countries get ready for COP26

This year will be celebrated COP26 in Glasgow (Scotland), where countries have to present new environmental commitments. They agreed to do so every five years in the Paris Agreement 2015.

They ought to be bold after WRI warns that greenhouse gases are increasing

In fact, most of the Authorities have already declared Climate and Environment Emergency

On that chart, the European Union counts as a bloc. The United Kingdom is not clear yet how will they present their commitments due to Brexit. However, it is expected they introduce a bold plan.

Only four countries have to summit new commitments, so far, the Marshall Islands, Moldova, Norway and Suriname. Other 36, included the European Union 27, will update their already summited targets. 107 have stated their intention to submit them. All of them add up just 27.2% of the global emissions.

WRI couldn’t collect information from the rest of the countries. Furthermore, some of the biggest polluters such as the U.S. and China sing off the Paris agreement.

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