US gross greenhouse gas emissions were 6,197.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023 (EPA) and 6,205.3 million in 2024 (independent inventory), about 17% below the 2005 peak of 7,505.3 million. Transportation (29%) and electric power (25%) are the largest sectors, Texas emits the most CO2 of any state at 669.9 million metric tons, and Rhodium Group estimates 2025 emissions rose 2.4%, the first increase in two years.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in America 2026
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US 2026 show a country that cut emissions steadily from 2005 and then stalled. Gross emissions peaked at 7,505.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMT CO2e) in 2005 and fell to 6,197.3 million in 2023, a drop of 17%. Forests and other land absorbed another 939.9 million tons in 2023. Coal-to-gas switching and renewable power did most of the work. Transportation barely changed over that time, and it now causes the largest share of emissions.
The data picture has also changed. EPA’s latest published national inventory covers 1990 through 2023, and an independent inventory from the University of Maryland extends it to 2024. Rhodium Group’s preliminary estimate covers 2025. Each source uses its own methods, so this report keeps them separate and labels every figure with its period. It covers yearly trends, sectors, gases, states, fuels, the land sink, and the 2025 rebound.
Interesting Facts About US Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2026
| Fact | Data (Period) |
|---|---|
| Gross emissions, 2023 | 6,197.3 MMT CO2e (EPA, 1990 to 2023 inventory) |
| Gross emissions, 2024 | 6,205.3 MMT CO2e (University of Maryland inventory) |
| Peak gross emissions | 7,505.3 MMT CO2e (2005) |
| Change from 2005 to 2023 | -17.4% (calculated) |
| Net emissions, 2024 | 5,298.8 MMT CO2e, after land sinks |
| Land sector offset, 2024 | 14.6% of gross emissions (906.5 MMT) |
| Share of emissions from CO2 | 79.4% (2023) |
| Methane emissions, 2023 | 686.7 MMT CO2e, down 21.4% since 1990 |
| Largest economic sector | Transportation, 29% |
| Largest state emitter of energy CO2 | Texas, 669.9 MMT (2023) |
| Change in 2025 (Rhodium estimate) | +2.4%, to about 5.9 billion tons |
The sources differ in scope. EPA’s inventory counts gross emissions from sources and then subtracts land-use sinks to reach net emissions. The University of Maryland inventory follows EPA’s methods for 2024, and Rhodium Group publishes its own net estimate using preliminary energy data. Rhodium’s 2025 total of about 5.9 billion tons is not directly comparable with the 5,298.8 million net figure for 2024, because the two methods differ.
The table shows two features of the trend. Emissions fell 17% in 18 years, which is real progress, yet they were flat between 2023 and 2024 and rose in 2025. A decline that slowed to a plateau and then ticked up suggests the easy gains from replacing coal are largely used up. Further cuts depend on transportation, buildings, and industry, where change has been slower.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US by Year 2026
US gross greenhouse gas emissions, million metric tons CO2e (scale: 7,505.3 = 40 blocks)
1990 ███████████████████████████████████ 6,538.3
2005 ████████████████████████████████████████ 7,505.3
2018 ███████████████████████████████████ 6,597.4
2020 ████████████████████████████████ 6,005.7
2021 ██████████████████████████████████ 6,333.8
2022 ██████████████████████████████████ 6,344.1
2023 █████████████████████████████████ 6,197.3
2024 █████████████████████████████████ 6,205.3
| Year | Gross Emissions (MMT CO2e) | Net Emissions (MMT CO2e) |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 6,538.3 | 5,500.4 |
| 2005 | 7,505.3 | 6,536.4 |
| 2018 | 6,597.4 | 5,678.0 |
| 2020 | 6,005.7 | 5,054.2 |
| 2021 | 6,333.8 | 5,371.0 |
| 2022 | 6,344.1 | 5,438.7 |
| 2023 | 6,197.3 | 5,257.4 |
| 2024 | 6,205.3 (+0.04%) | 5,298.8 |
| 2025 (Rhodium estimate) | About +2.4% vs 2024 | About 5.9 billion tons (different method) |
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2023 (2025); University of Maryland, Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Analysis for the United States: 1990-2024; Rhodium Group, Preliminary US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates for 2025 (January 13, 2026).
Gross emissions peaked in 2005 and fell 17.4% by 2023. They sit 5.2% below 1990, according to the EPA series. The pandemic year of 2020 produced the lowest reading at 6,005.7 million tons, and emissions rebounded to 6,344.1 million by 2022. The 2023 decline to 6,197.3 million came mostly from less coal burned for power, and 2024 stayed about even at 6,205.3 million. The long decline is real, yet the last three years show a plateau and not a continued slide.
Net emissions, after subtracting the land sink, fell from 6,536.4 million in 2005 to 5,257.4 million in 2023, a 19.6% drop, calculated from EPA’s series. Net emissions in 2024 were 5,298.8 million, 0.8% above 2023. Rhodium Group’s estimate for 2025 points to a rise of 2.4%, which would put emissions 18% below 2005 and 6% below 2019. Official federal data for 2024 and 2025 had not appeared by October 2026, so independent estimates fill the gap.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US by Sector 2026
Share of US gross greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, 2022 (scale: 29% = 40 blocks)
Transportation ████████████████████████████████████████ 29%
Electric power ██████████████████████████████████ 25%
Industry ████████████████████████████████ 23%
Agriculture ██████████████ 10%
Commercial ██████████ 7%
Residential ████████ 6%
| Economic Sector | Share (2022) | Emissions Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Transportation | 29% | 1,822.5 MMT in 2023, up 19.8% since 1990 |
| Electric power | 25% | CO2 of 1,531.7 MMT in 2022, down from 2,400.1 in 2005 |
| Industry | 23% | 1,423.0 MMT in 2023, down 17.0% since 1990 |
| Agriculture | 10% | Livestock, soils, rice |
| Commercial | 7% | Heating, refrigerants, waste |
| Residential | 6% | Heating, appliances |
| Total (2022) | 6,343.2 MMT | Before land sinks |
| Power sector change, 2005 to 2024 | -41% | CO2, through 2024 |
| Petroleum share of transportation fuel | Over 94% | Gasoline and diesel mainly |
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions (updated June 2026) and GHG Inventory Data Explorer; EPA Inventory 1990-2023; Center for Climate and Energy Solutions.
Transportation is the largest direct source at 29% of gross emissions, and its 1,822.5 million tons in 2023 were 19.8% above 1990. Over 94% of transportation fuel is petroleum. Electric power is second at 25%. Its CO2 emissions fell from 2,400.1 million tons in 2005 to 1,531.7 million in 2022, and the Center for Climate and Energy Solutions puts the drop at 41% through 2024. In 2022, 60% of US electricity came from fossil fuels, mostly gas and coal.
Industry is third at 23%, with 1,423.0 million tons in 2023, 17.0% below 1990. Agriculture adds 10%, mostly methane and nitrous oxide from livestock and soils. Commercial and residential buildings add 13% combined, and their share rises sharply when electricity use is allocated to them, since buildings use 75% of US electricity. EPA’s sector shares for 2023 have not been republished on its web summary, so the 2022 shares are the latest on that page.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US by Gas 2026
Share of US gross emissions by gas, 2022 (scale: 79.7% = 40 blocks)
Carbon dioxide ████████████████████████████████████████ 79.7%
Methane ██████ 11.1%
Nitrous oxide ███ 6.1%
F-gases ██ 3.1%
| Gas | Share (2022) | Detail |
|---|---|---|
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) | 79.7% | 4,918.4 MMT in 2023, down 4.2% since 1990 |
| Methane (CH4) | 11.1% | 686.7 MMT CO2e in 2023, down 21.4% since 1990 |
| Nitrous oxide (N2O) | 6.1% | Mostly agricultural soils |
| Fluorinated gases | 3.1% | HFCs, PFCs, SF6, NF3 |
| CO2 from fossil fuel combustion | n/a | Down 20.6% from the 2005 peak (2023) |
| Methane intensity, gas systems | n/a | Down 44% (2015 to 2025, Rhodium) |
| Methane intensity, oil systems | n/a | Down 62% (2015 to 2025, Rhodium) |
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, GHG Inventory 1990-2022 and 1990-2023; Rhodium Group, Taking Stock 2025.
Carbon dioxide dominates at 79.7% of gross emissions, and burning fossil fuels causes most of it. CO2 totaled 4,918.4 million tons in 2023, 4.2% below 1990 but 20.6% below the fossil fuel combustion peak of 2005. Methane follows at 11.1%, with 686.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023. Methane emissions fell 21.4% since 1990.
Nitrous oxide contributes 6.1%, mostly from fertilized soils, and fluorinated gases add 3.1%. Fluorinated gases are the one category that has grown: they rose by 58% over the long run as hydrofluorocarbons replaced ozone-depleting refrigerants. EPA converts every gas to CO2 equivalent using 100-year global warming potentials from the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report. Small quantities of fluorinated gases count for more than their share of tonnage would suggest, because each ton traps far more heat than a ton of CO2.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US by State 2026
Energy-related CO2 emissions by state, 2023, million metric tons (scale: 669.9 = 40 blocks)
Texas ████████████████████████████████████████ 669.9
California ███████████████████ 324.3
Florida ██████████████ 229.5
Ohio ███████████ 184.2
Louisiana ███████████ 183.8
Indiana █████████ 153.9
Michigan ████████ 141.1
Alabama ██████ 101.0
Iowa ████ 68.0
Kansas ███ 57.8
| State | Energy CO2 (MMT, 2023) | Share of US Total | Per Capita (Metric Tons) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Texas | 669.9 | 14.0% | 21.8 |
| California | 324.3 | 6.8% | 8.3 |
| Florida | 229.5 | 4.8% | n/a |
| Ohio | 184.2 | 3.8% | n/a |
| Louisiana | 183.8 | 3.8% | 40.1 |
| Indiana | 153.9 | 3.2% | 22.4 |
| Michigan | 141.1 | 2.9% | n/a |
| Alabama | 101.0 | 2.1% | 19.7 |
| Wyoming (highest per capita) | n/a | n/a | 92.9 |
| North Dakota | n/a | n/a | 68.8 |
| Alaska | n/a | n/a | 58.6 |
| Maryland (lowest state per capita) | n/a | n/a | 7.8 |
| District of Columbia | n/a | n/a | 3.6 |
| United States | 4,785.6 | 100% | n/a |
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, State Energy Data System, Energy-Related CO2 Emissions by State (2023 data); shares calculated from the national total.
Texas emitted 669.9 million metric tons of energy-related CO2 in 2023, 14.0% of the national total, more than Canada’s national emissions (557 million tons in 2022). California is second at 324.3 million, then Florida at 229.5 million. These large states top the list because of population and heavy industry. Per capita, the order changes. Wyoming emits 92.9 tons per person, North Dakota 68.8, and Alaska 58.6, while Maryland has the lowest state rate at 7.8 and Washington, D.C. is at 3.6.
Emissions fell in every state between 2005 and 2023. Per capita energy CO2 dropped 30% nationally, even as the population grew 14%, and Maryland and D.C. posted the steepest falls (49% and 48%). Transportation was the biggest emitter in 28 states in 2023, up from 17 in 2005. Electric power led in 18 states, and industry led in four: Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, and Iowa. Five states accounted for more than half of all US industrial emissions.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US by Fuel 2026
Energy-related CO2 emissions by fuel, 2023, million metric tons (scale: 2,249.5 = 40 blocks)
Petroleum ████████████████████████████████████████ 2,249.5
Natural gas ███████████████████████████████ 1,755.2
Coal ██████████████ 780.9
| Fuel | CO2 Emissions (MMT, 2023) | Share of Energy CO2 |
|---|---|---|
| Petroleum | 2,249.5 | 47.0% |
| Natural gas | 1,755.2 | 36.7% |
| Coal | 780.9 | 16.3% |
| Total energy-related CO2 | 4,785.6 | 100% |
| Fall in energy CO2, 2005 to 2023 | -20% | Per capita -30% |
| Texas petroleum and natural gas emissions | 318.6 and 274.1 | Leading state for both |
| Texas coal emissions | 77.2 | Leading state for coal |
| Industrial sector, Texas | 235.8 | More than twice any other state |
Data source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, State Energy Data System, CO2 emissions by source (2023); EIA Today in Energy, “Per capita energy-related CO2 emissions decreased in every state between 2005 and 2023.”
Petroleum is the largest source of energy-related CO2 at 2,249.5 million tons in 2023, 47.0% of the total. Natural gas follows at 1,755.2 million tons (36.7%), and coal has fallen to 780.9 million tons (16.3%). The shift from coal to gas drove much of the 20% drop in energy CO2 since 2005, because gas releases about half as much CO2 per unit of energy. That gain happens once: gas still emits CO2, and the switch cannot be repeated.
Petroleum emissions come mostly from transportation, and the supply chain behind them runs through refineries. Texas leads in petroleum (318.6 million tons) and natural gas (274.1 million), and its industrial sector alone emitted 235.8 million tons, more than twice any other state. For a view of the plants that process crude into fuels, see oil refinery statistics in the US. Coal use has shrunk, yet Texas, Indiana, and Kentucky still burn the most.
US Forest Carbon Sink & Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions 2026
US land sector net carbon sink, million metric tons CO2e (scale: 1,037.9 = 40 blocks)
1990 ████████████████████████████████████████ 1,037.9
2005 █████████████████████████████████████ 968.9
2023 ████████████████████████████████████ 939.9
2024 ███████████████████████████████████ 906.5
| Metric | Value (Period) |
|---|---|
| Land sector net sink, 1990 | 1,037.9 MMT CO2e |
| Land sector net sink, 2005 | 968.9 MMT CO2e |
| Land sector net sink, 2023 | 939.9 MMT CO2e |
| Land sector net sink, 2024 | 906.5 MMT CO2e |
| Share of gross emissions offset, 2024 | 14.6% |
| Share of gross emissions offset, 2022 | 14.5% (921.8 MMT) |
| Net emissions, 2023 | 5,257.4 MMT CO2e |
| Net emissions, 2024 | 5,298.8 MMT CO2e, 3.8% below 1990 |
| Land sector trend, 1990 to 2023 | -9.4% |
Data source: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 1990-2023; University of Maryland, Greenhouse Gas Inventory and Analysis for the United States 1990-2024.
Forests, soils, and other managed land absorbed 906.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2024, equal to 14.6% of gross emissions. The sink was 1,037.9 million tons in 1990 and has shrunk about 13% since, as forests age and disturbances increase. The 2023 sink of 939.9 million was 9.4% below 1990. A smaller sink means net emissions fall more slowly than gross emissions, so the 2024 net total of 5,298.8 million was only 3.8% below 1990.
The sink adds a risk to the national accounts. Fires, pests, and land conversion can release stored carbon faster than regrowth replaces it. The country’s forests are a major store, and losses in tree cover reduce the offset the inventory counts. For the land-conversion side, see deforestation statistics in the US, which tracks forest area change and its causes.
US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Trends in 2025 & 2026
Change in US emissions by sector, 2025 vs 2024, Rhodium estimate (scale: 6.8% = 40 blocks)
Buildings ████████████████████████████████████████ +6.8%
Power ██████████████████████ +3.8%
Industry ████████ +1.3%
Oil and gas ███ +0.5%
Transport █ +0.1%
| Metric | Value (2025 Rhodium Estimate) |
|---|---|
| Change in total US emissions | +2.4% (about 139 million tons) |
| Estimated total | About 5.9 billion tons CO2e |
| Economic growth, 2025 | 1.9% |
| Buildings emissions change | +6.8% (cold winter, heating) |
| Power sector emissions change | +3.8% |
| Coal use change | About +13% |
| Emissions versus 2005 | 18% below |
| Emissions versus 2019 | 6% below |
| Projected cut by 2035 versus 2005 | 26% to 35% (down from 38% to 56% a year earlier) |
| Share of electricity from natural gas | About 40% |
Data source: Rhodium Group, Preliminary US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Estimates for 2025 (January 13, 2026) and Taking Stock 2025.
Emissions rose 2.4% in 2025 and grew faster than the 1.9% economy, which ended three years of emissions falling behind growth. Rhodium links the rise to a cold winter (buildings +6.8%), growing electricity demand from data centers and crypto mining (power +3.8%), and higher natural gas prices that pushed utilities toward coal, whose use rose about 13%. The rollback of climate rules had not taken effect yet, so Rhodium does not credit the 2025 rise to policy changes.
The outlook worsened. Rhodium now projects a 26% to 35% cut by 2035 versus 2005, down from 38% to 56% a year earlier, after changes to energy tax credits and the repeal of federal climate regulations. The firm also warns that federal inventories may stop, which leaves independent estimates as the main source. Power plants and vehicles emit more than carbon: for the air quality effects of those same sources, see air pollution statistics in the US.
Frequently Asked Questions About Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the US 2026
How much greenhouse gas does the US emit each year?
US gross emissions were 6,197.3 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023 (EPA) and 6,205.3 million in 2024 (University of Maryland inventory).
Which sector emits the most greenhouse gases in the US?
Transportation, with about 29% of gross emissions. Electric power is second at 25% and industry third at 23%.
What is the largest greenhouse gas in the US?
Carbon dioxide, at 79.7% of gross emissions in 2022. Methane is next at 11.1%, then nitrous oxide at 6.1% and fluorinated gases at 3.1%.
How much have US emissions fallen since 2005?
Gross emissions fell 17.4% from 7,505.3 million tons in 2005 to 6,197.3 million in 2023. Net emissions fell 19.6% over the same period.
Did US greenhouse gas emissions rise in 2025?
Yes, by an estimated 2.4%, according to Rhodium Group, the first increase in two years. The rise was driven by a cold winter, data center power demand, and more coal use.
Which state emits the most CO2?
Texas, with 669.9 million metric tons of energy-related CO2 in 2023, 14.0% of the US total. California is second at 324.3 million.
Which state has the highest per capita emissions?
Wyoming, at 92.9 metric tons of energy CO2 per person in 2023. North Dakota (68.8) and Alaska (58.6) follow.
Which state has the lowest per capita emissions?
Maryland has the lowest rate among states at 7.8 metric tons, and Washington, D.C. is lower at 3.6.
How much do US forests offset?
The land sector offset 14.6% of gross emissions in 2024, 906.5 million tons of CO2 equivalent.
How much methane does the US emit?
686.7 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023, 11.1% of gross emissions and 21.4% below 1990.
Which fuel causes the most energy-related CO2?
Petroleum, with 2,249.5 million tons in 2023 (47.0%). Natural gas caused 1,755.2 million and coal 780.9 million.
Has EPA published a 2024 greenhouse gas inventory?
Not as of October 2026. EPA’s latest published inventory covers 1990 through 2023. A University of Maryland inventory covers 2024, and Rhodium Group publishes preliminary estimates for 2025.
What was the biggest source of the 2025 increase?
Buildings, where emissions rose an estimated 6.8% on a cold winter. Power sector emissions rose 3.8%.
How does Texas compare with other countries?
Texas’s 669.9 million tons of energy CO2 in 2023 exceeded Canada’s national total of 557 million tons in 2022 and was close to Saudi Arabia’s 671 million.
Disclaimer: This research report is compiled from publicly available sources. While reasonable efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is given as to the completeness or reliability of the information. We accept no liability for any errors, omissions, losses, or damages of any kind arising from the use of this report.