# US CO2 emissions from energy, 2022 **URL:** \ **Category:** Macro Economic Trends and Risks\ **Created:** [May 3, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/us-co2-emissions-from-energy-2022/91972 "2023-05-03T20:38:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![waterfell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/waterfell/32/8050_2.png) [@waterfell](https://discussion.fool.com/u/waterfell)\ **Post date:** [May 3, 2023, 8:38pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/us-co2-emissions-from-energy-2022/91972/1 "2023-05-03T20:38:07Z")
The Energy Information Administration published the 2022 US carbon dioxide emissions from energy. Link [here](https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec11_3.pdf), with a summary of the last 5 years shown below… ``` CO2, million metric tons Year Coal Nat Gas Oil Total - - - - - - - - - - - - 2018 1263 1627 2377 5278 2019 1078 1685 2374 5147 2020 876 1650 2043 4580 2021 1003 1655 2234 4903 2022 935 1746 2273 4964 ``` 2022 total CO2 from energy was higher by 1.2% over 2021. Total CO2 emissions have increased since the pandemic and economic turmoil of 2020. Combustion of coal continues to decline long term. CO2 from natural gas combustion continues to increase, as it replaces coal. Petroleum products are the largest source of CO2, and are down slightly from pre-pandemic levels. Fuel consumption in some areas of the transportation sector have not completely recovered from before the pandemic, as shown [here](https://www.eia.gov/dnav/pet/hist/LeafHandler.ashx?n=PET&s=WKJUPUS2&f=4). Eliminating coal is low-hanging fruit. Significantly reducing the other two big fossil fuels will be more difficult. Expect combustion of natural gas, and the CO2 emissions that come with it, to continue to increase. Meeting the 2030 greenhouse gas reduction goal is going to be very difficult without significant cuts in CO2 emissions from energy. Based on past trends and current efforts, I don’t see the goal being met. ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ Meanwhile… China is burning more coal so they can charge up their EVs. > **[China’s Coal Use Set To Rise With Growing EV Demand | OilPrice.com](https://oilprice.com/Latest-Energy-News/World-News/Chinas-Coal-Use-Set-To-Rise-With-Growing-EV-Demand.html)** > > Growing EV demand in China will boost coal demand as the country aims to avoid power shortages. - Pete ---
**Author:** ![pauleckler](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/pauleckler/32/2906_2.png) [@pauleckler](https://discussion.fool.com/u/pauleckler)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 7:49pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/us-co2-emissions-from-energy-2022/91972/2 "2023-05-04T19:49:29Z")
5278 to 4964 is a 6% reduction over four years. At that rate zero will take 67 years. If we are serious about carbon reduction we need to do much better. And your figures consider only electricity. No motor fuels included. They may have better potential but I would be surprised if those figures are any better given the pace of adoption. ---
**Author:** ![waterfell](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/motleyfoolfree/user_avatar/discussion.fool.com/waterfell/32/8050_2.png) [@waterfell](https://discussion.fool.com/u/waterfell)\ **Post date:** [May 4, 2023, 8:32pm UTC](https://discussion.fool.com/t/us-co2-emissions-from-energy-2022/91972/3 "2023-05-04T20:32:07Z")
> [@pauleckler](#): > > And your figures consider only electricity. No motor fuels included. No, those numbers are for everything. Link below. > **[sec11\_3.pdf](https://www.eia.gov/totalenergy/data/monthly/pdf/sec11_3.pdf)** > > 129.17 KB Petroleum is broken down into jet fuel, motor gasoline, av gas, etc. Only a small amount of electricity is generated from petroleum products in the US, but overall, petroleum is the largest emitter of CO2 compared to coal and natural gas. But your other point is accurate. The US has rather high CO2 emissions per capita compared to most other industrialized countries. There are rumors that the EPA will be publishing some new rules, perhaps next week, which will require Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) on most fossil fuel power plants. We shall see what the EPA officially comes up with. - Pete