G20's Coal-Related Emissions Surge, Australia and China Lead

Per capita CO2 emissions from coal-fired power in G20 nations have increased by nearly 7% since 2015, with China and India adding new plants and Australia's CO2 count per head nearly three times higher than the global average, according to research by environment group Ember. As many as seven G20 members, including China, Brazil, India, Japan, South Korea, South Africa, and the United States, have not yet developed plans to phase down coal use. G20 countries account for 80% of global power sector emissions, with per capita CO2 from coal power at 1.6 tons last year, higher than the global average of 1.1 tons. China's per capita emissions reached 3.1 tons in 2022, up 30% from 2015, while India saw a 29% rise to 0.8 tons. South Korea and Australia were identified as the worst polluters when accounting for population.