TL;DR: CO2 emissions continue to rise, with global levels hitting 37.8 billion tonnes in 2024. The Netherlands remains among the higher emitters per capita, largely due to intensive industry, transport, and energy use. The effects—rising seas, extreme weather, and ecosystem loss—are no longer distant risks but present-day realities. For companies, this means more than just awareness: it demands a shift in operations. Whether it’s cutting energy use, electrifying your fleet, or reducing waste and emissions across your supply chain, action is both expected and increasingly unavoidable. Businesses that fail to adapt risk falling behind in a climate-conscious market.
CO2 emissions fuel the climate crisis
CO2 is at the heart of the climate crisis. Human activities like burning fossil fuels, industrial production, and deforestation are releasing massive amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere. The result? A steadily warming planet with serious, global consequences.
The impact is hard to ignore. Sea levels are rising, putting coastal regions and low-lying countries at risk of flooding and displacement. Extreme weather events, storms, heatwaves, droughts, are becoming more frequent and more intense. And biodiversity is under pressure, as more species struggle to adapt to changing conditions.
Understanding CO2 emissions is key for individuals, but especially for businesses. Companies are under growing pressure to measure and reduce their climate impact. In many cases, that’s becoming a legal obligation. But beyond compliance, it’s also about future-proofing your operations and making smarter, more sustainable choices.
In 2024, global CO2 emissions are projected to hit 37.8 billion tons. To keep climate change in check, that number needs to drop. And fast. This isn’t just a government challenge. It calls for action across the board: from global corporations to everyday households.
What is CO2 and how is it released?
CO2, or carbon dioxide, is a colourless, odourless gas made of one carbon atom and two oxygen atoms. It occurs naturally in our atmosphere and plays a key role in regulating the Earth’s temperature.
But today, CO2 levels are rising fast, mainly due to human activity. The biggest source is the burning of fossil fuels like oil, gas, and coal for energy, transport, and industry. Industrial production, deforestation, and intensive agriculture also release large amounts of CO2 into the atmosphere.
When we burn fossil fuels, in cars, power plants, factories, or heating systems, the carbon stored in those fuels is released as CO2. This constant output is pushing CO2 concentrations far above natural levels.
Nature also emits CO2 through volcanic activity, plant and animal respiration, and the decay of organic matter. But these emissions are part of a balanced carbon cycle. The problem? Human-driven emissions are throwing that balance out of sync.
CO2 and the greenhouse effect
CO2 is one of several greenhouse gases that trap heat in our atmosphere. This natural “blanket” keeps the planet warm enough for life. But as human emissions rise, the blanket thickens—trapping more heat than the Earth can safely handle. .
This disrupted balance leads to global warming, extreme weather, and the climate impacts we’re already seeing today. This effect is known as the greenhouse effect.
Worldwide CO2 emissions statistics
Global CO2 emissions reached a new record in 2024 with 37.8 billion tons. This amount is so immense that it is difficult to imagine - it is equivalent to:
250 billion car trips from Amsterdam to Paris
The annual CO2 absorption of 2 trillion adult trees
71 trillion kilometers of train travel
Recent trends in global CO2 emissions
After a temporary drop of over 5% during the COVID-19 lockdowns in 2020, global CO2 emissions quickly bounced back. In 2022, emissions hit 36.8 billion tonnes, followed by 37.4 billion tonnes in 2023. In 2024, they peaked at 37.8 billion tonnes—yet another record.
The main drivers? Economic recovery and rising global energy demand. While the pandemic offered a short pause, it had no lasting impact on atmospheric CO2 levels. Despite the growth of renewables, emissions continue to rise globally.
Developed versus emerging economies
Emissions in advanced economies are stabilizing or declining, largely due to the adoption of renewable energy and improvements in energy efficiency. In contrast, emerging economies, especially China and India, are experiencing rising emissions due to rapid economic growth and increased energy demand (2024).
Still, there’s reason for hope: 2024 marked the first year China’s emissions declined, driven by a rapid expansion of renewable energy. This shift hopefully signals the beginning of a global turning point.
CO2 emissions per capita: a look at the Netherlands and other countries
Per capita CO2 emissions provide a clearer picture of individual environmental impact and allow for fairer comparisons between countries with different population sizes. As of 2023, the global average is about 4.9 tonnes per person.
The Netherlands, despite its relatively small population, has per capita emissions of approximately 8.4 tonnes—well above the global average and similar to or higher than many other European countries. This is due to a combination of factors, including intensive industrial activity, high energy consumption, and a significant reliance on fossil fuels for heating and transport.
For comparison, here are the latest per capita CO2 emissions for selected countries:
Gulf States (Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia): 20 to 40 tonnes per person
United States: 14.7 tonnes per person
Netherlands: 8.4 tonnes per person
China: 8.0 tonnes per person
European Union (average): 5.66 tonnes per person
Global average: 4.86 tonnes per person
India: 2.0 tonnes per person
While Gulf countries like Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait top the global charts with over 20 tonnes per person, the Netherlands still ranks notably high for a developed, industrialized country. That makes it a key focus area for national climate policy – and for organizations looking to reduce their impact.
The takeaway? If you're a business operating in the Netherlands, there's both a big opportunity and a clear responsibility to take action – by gaining insight into your emissions, reducing them where it counts, and building a solid carbon strategy.
Main sources of CO2 emissions
Global CO2 emissions come from many sources, but three sectors stand out as the biggest contributors: fossil fuels, transport, and deforestation. Understanding where emissions come from helps us take targeted climate action.
1. Fossil fuels & heavy industry
Burning fossil fuels is one of the largest drivers of global CO2 emissions. This includes:
Power plants running on coal, oil or gas
The extraction and processing of fossil fuels
Industrial processes like steel and cement production
These activities require huge amounts of energy — often generated through fossil fuel combustion. Even the extraction process itself contributes to emissions, through fuel-hungry machines and gas flaring.
2. The transport Sector
The transport sector is another major source of CO2. Road traffic, air travel, and shipping all rely heavily on fossil fuels:
A diesel car emits around 2.6 kg of CO2 per litre
A return flight from Amsterdam to London can generate around 18.3 tonnes of CO2
Cargo ships burn large amounts of fuel to move goods across the globe
With mobility and trade on the rise, transport emissions remain a key challenge — especially in developed economies.
3. Deforestation
Forests normally help absorb CO2 through photosynthesis. But when trees are cut and burned, they release that stored carbon back into the atmosphere. Plus: fewer trees means less natural filtering of CO2 overall.
Deforestation leads to double impact: more emissions, and less carbon absorption
A single medium-sized tree can absorb up to 22 kg of CO2 per year
That’s why planting trees plays such an important role in climate action. It helps rebuild carbon sinks, restore biodiversity, and create long-term CO2 absorption – all while supporting healthier ecosystems and local communities.
In many developing countries, deforestation is still one of the top contributors to emissions. But the solution is clear: protecting and restoring forests is one of the most powerful ways to fight climate change.
The impact of rising CO2 emissions
The rising CO2 emissions have far-reaching consequences for our planet. The Earth is warming at an alarming rate, leading to a range of climate change effects:
1. Rising sea level
Melting ice caps and glaciers are pushing sea levels higher, putting coastal areas and island nations at growing risk. Flooding threatens homes, infrastructure, and habitats – especially in low-lying delta regions where millions live.
2. Extreme weather conditions
We’re seeing more heatwaves, intense storms, and prolonged droughts. These extremes damage crops, strain water supplies, and challenge public safety. Rainfall is becoming less predictable, making life harder for farmers and water managers alike.
3. Ecosystem disruption
Climate change is speeding up biodiversity loss, with more species at risk of extinction. The ocean is becoming more acidic due to excess CO2, threatening coral reefs and marine life. Natural habitats are disappearing, forcing wildlife to adapt or relocate.
These environmental shifts affect us all:
Agriculture and food supply become less stable
Clean water becomes harder to secure
Public health is at risk due to pollution and heat stress
Economic damage spreads across sectors like farming, fisheries, and tourism
Click here to read more about the economic risks of climate change.
Calculating CO2 emissions: direct vs indirect emissions
The GHG Protocol (Greenhouse Gas Protocol) is the global standard for calculating CO2 emissions. It provides a clear, consistent method that makes it possible to compare emissions across organizations and sectors.
Emissions are divided into three categories, or ‘scopes’, which help organizations map and understand their climate impact.
Conclusion: there are plenty of practical ways for companies to reduce their CO2 footprint
Companies play a key role in reducing CO2 emissions—and the good news is: there are plenty of ways to take action. From energy efficiency and renewable energy to smarter transport and carbon offsetting, businesses have real opportunities to lower their footprint.
Want to know where to start or how to structure your approach?
Explore our step-by-step guides:
Looking for extra info?
Explore our FAQ guide.
