U.S., China account for 40 percent of carbon emissions

Reuters 17 Nov 09;

(Reuters) - U.N. talks on a new climate deal are struggling to overcome differences on how to share the cost of cutting greenhouse gas emissions and of preparing for global warming, which is now considered inevitable.

U.S. President Barack Obama met Chinese President Hu Jintao this week to discuss a climate deal. Their countries account for 40 percent of all carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels.

Following is a breakdown of the top 15 emitters of carbon dioxide from burning fossil fuels up to end-2008.

The International Energy Agency estimates that global carbon emissions will fall by as much as 3 percent in 2009 as a result of the financial crisis. Estimates of carbon emissions that include deforestation can be far higher, notably for Indonesia.(million tons carbon 2005-07, million tonnes carbon 2008)

2005 2006 2007 2008* PCT total, 08

TOTAL WORLD 7,985 8,229 8,471 8,510 100

1 China 1,514 1,676 1,802 1,841 22

2 U.S. 1,577 1,558 1,586 1,722 20

3 Russia 410 431 432 456 5

4 India 383 402 430 381 4

5 Japan 336 332 337 376 4

6 Germany 214 216 210 232 3

9 South Korea 123 124 130 179 2

7 Canada 147 145 145 178 2

8 Britain 149 150 145 157 2

10 Iran 123 128 130 139 2

14 Saudi Arabia 104 109 115 133 2

12 Italy 123 123 121 131 2

13 South Africa 112 114 118 130 2

11 Mexico 115 118 121 124 1

15 Brazil 89 90 96 119 1

Sources:

2005-07 -- U.S. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center

* 2008 data uses a different source: IWR Research, BP

Statistical Review, European Union, German Economy Ministry

(Compiled by Gerard Wynn; editing by Tim Pearce)