A recent study found that the US and UK are the biggest polluters in the world. This is especially true for the United States where it is estimated that 80% of the nation's carbon emissions come from coal power plants. However, it is important to remember that China and Europe are also major contributors to global climate change. Therefore, it is vital to understand how these countries are coping with climate change.
US
The US military is one of the biggest polluters in the world, pumping more carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than most countries. This has to be addressed at home and in international climate treaties.
Approximately 2 percent of total emissions in the United States are due to military-related activities. Its supply chain depends on an extensive network of cargo ships, cargo planes, and trucks. Whether the US military is conducting a war or delivering humanitarian aid, its carbon footprint must be taken into consideration.
In 2017, the US Department of Defense pumped in more greenhouse gas emissions than Sweden, Denmark, and Portugal combined. These figures come from the Cost of War Project, a study that estimates the total amount of CO2 that the US military burns every year.
In terms of sheer numbers, the US military is the largest institutional consumer of hydrocarbons in the world. This includes oil, coal, and natural gas. And it is also the second largest contributor of CO2 to the earth's atmosphere.
The US military's impact on global warming is also significant because it relies on an extensive supply chain that uses a global network of cargo planes, container ships, and trucks. That's not to mention the use of hydrocarbon-based weapons systems.
When it comes to the best practices for fighting climate change, the American military isn't the best example. In fact, the military's efforts to reduce its carbon footprint have been contradictory.
The biggest single-point carbon emitters in the country are coal-burning power plants. They are followed by ExxonMobil and BP.
Other major polluters include the Southern Company, whose plants are the largest single point carbon emitters in the nation. Another is Shell, a global business.
Although the US military may be one of the biggest polluters in the nation, it has made a good effort to become "greener." The Department of Defense has increased the production of renewable energy on its bases and has tried to switch to more environmentally friendly power generators.
While it is important to recognize that the US military is just one of many polluters, its role in the global fight against climate change should be taken seriously.
UK
If the UK is to become carbon-neutral by the end of the century, it must cut its emissions drastically. The UK government recently announced its plan to do so. It plans to reduce CO2 by 34% by 2020 and 68% by 2030.
However, the biggest polluters in the UK operate across a wide range of industries. These companies must offset their carbon emissions by helping to fund environmental projects.
The largest greenhouse gas polluters in the UK are those operating in the energy supply, manufacturing, and transport sectors. In addition, households use fossil fuels for their heating and transportation, resulting in a significant share of total GHG emissions.
These sectors have reduced their carbon emissions significantly in the last few decades. However, they still remain the primary sources of UK emissions.
Households used 82% of all fossil fuels used in the UK in 2020. While household emissions decreased slightly from 2019, they remained the biggest contributor to total GHG emissions.
One of the biggest polluters in the UK is Drax, an electricity-generating company based in Selby, West Yorkshire. Drax has pledged to build three biomass power plants that will burn woodchips and peanut husks. This is expected to reduce its carbon emissions by about 10 million tonnes over the next decade.
Other major polluters include Tata Steel and Uniper, which is also one of the top 20 companies in Europe. EasyJet and British Airways combined to release 8.9 million tonnes of CO2 in 2019.
These are just a few of the largest polluters in the UK. They represent a fraction of the total number of firms in the country, and many of them are involved in several different industries.
According to the latest government data, the largest polluters in the UK are responsible for more than one-fifth of the country's GHG emissions. Nevertheless, the UK continues to strengthen its climate policies. Earlier this year, the government announced that it would allocate 150 million free CO2 permits over the next four years.
There are also a range of other official measures to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. These include the Emissions Trading Scheme, which is a cap and trade policy.
China
China is one of the biggest polluters of carbon emissions on the planet. With more than 1.4 billion people, China is a huge contributor to global climate change. It is responsible for more emissions than the United States and the European Union combined.
The Chinese government has been implementing policies to reduce carbon emissions. These include energy efficiency standards for buildings, motor vehicles, and power plants. In addition, Beijing has vowed to invest in renewable energy.
While a national emissions trading scheme is still in the works, many details remain unclear. If implemented, the system would incentivize polluters to cut their emissions. Some critics argue that such a scheme could have a strong impact in the long term, with higher prices driving down pollution levels.
China's emissions have increased dramatically over the past three decades. As a result, the country's per capita emissions are more than twice as high as those of the U.S. However, these figures still fall well below those of the developed world.
While China is still a large emitter of greenhouse gasses, it is much better off than in the past. The country's per capita emissions were just 10.1 tons in 2019, compared to a yearly average of 21.7 tons for the U.S.
While Beijing has vowed to be carbon neutral by 2060, its emissions are set to peak before that date. This is due in part to aggressive developments in renewable policy.
The next five-year plan for China, to be released in 2020, will have to clearly signal China's commitment to moving away from fossil fuels. At the same time, the country will have to address issues such as water scarcity and soil pollution.
While the Chinese government has taken some steps to reduce its carbon emissions, its efforts are still lagging behind those of the United States and the European Union. Moreover, the country's emissions are predicted to increase by about 22 percent in 2030.
China is also one of the world's leading consumer of trafficked wildlife. It is also the world's largest producer of hydroelectricity. Additionally, it is a major contributor to the marine debris problem.
Europe
Europe is one of the biggest carbon polluters in the world. This is because it is dependent on fossil fuels. But Europe has the opportunity to become a leader in the transition to a low-carbon economy.
Europe is home to the world's third largest economy, and a significant contributor to global cumulative greenhouse gas emissions. However, Europe's emissions have been declining for the last decade, but progress has been slow.
There are several factors contributing to this decline. One of the main reasons is improved vehicle efficiency, which reduces the use of fossil fuels. In Europe, coal use has declined in recent decades, while oil use has increased.
As a result of these changes, total EU fuel emissions have fallen by about 14% over the past decade. The EU's goal is to reduce emissions by at least 50% over the next two decades.
Despite the reduction, Germany remains the biggest CO2 polluter in the European Union, while the United Kingdom continues to produce the most CO2 per capita. Both countries are among the top ten CO2 emitters worldwide.
In 2019, the EU will impose a carbon dioxide emissions tax on imported goods. This tax will apply to iron and steel, cement, fertilisers and other products. It will also target imports of pollution-intensive goods like aluminium and coal.
The EU's current emissions are excessively high. If Europe is to meet its climate targets, it must reduce its dependency on fossil fuels. Developing clean energy sources is essential to ensure affordability and energy security. These efforts are also essential to help Europeans cope with the impacts of a warming climate.
There are many ways to reduce carbon emissions. The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) launched the Industrial Plant Data Viewer, a database that will make it easier to compare data from more than 3,000 large combustion plants across the EU. EEB is also developing new modules that will compare the level of implementation of best available techniques.
Until the Industrial Plant Data Viewer is fully developed, there is a lack of accurate information on emissions. However, users are invited to contribute. Hopefully, this will improve the accuracy of the data and provide a more comprehensive picture.