Top CO2 polluters and highest per capita

The biggest absolute emissions come from China, and the United States. In terms of CO2 emissions per capita, China is ranked only ranked 55th, at 6.2 metric tonnes per capita. The US is 8th at 17.6 per capita. India is the third highest country in terms of absolute emissions, but 127th in terms of per capita output with 1.7 metric tonnes per capita.

Why don’t countries use the carbon tax?

• Taxes are generally politically unpopular. A tax on carbon emissions will affect the living costs of many people. This can make the government reluctant to impose the tax.
• There is also the free rider problem. A small country may think – what is the point in introducing carbon tax when their CO2 emissions are dwarfed by other countries like China and the US? Especially, when these bigger countries don’t seem inclined to do too much about the issue.
• There is also differing opinions about the potential cost of CO2 emissions to the environment. In the US, there is a strong lobby which argues global warming is not scientifically proven. Therefore, there is a resistance to impeded CO2 emissions.
• Another factor is that there are significant vested interests in the oil industry / other industries which pollute. They fear CO2 tax will reduce their profitability so they are willing to fight against moves to introduce taxes.
• Another argument used is that a Carbon tax will harm jobs.

• Arguments for and against Carbon Tax.

Highest CO2 emissions by country

Top CO2 emissions Per Capita

(metric tons per capita)

Selected others

• 55. China 6.2
• 127 India 1.7

Lowest CO2 emissions per Capita

By comparison some of the poorest countries produce practically zero CO2 emissions per capital

Written by Tejvan Pettinger
Originally published by Economicshelp.org

25 March 2014