US leads global CO₂ emissions increase in 2025, report finds

The United States was the largest contributor to the rise in global carbon emissions in 2025, responsible for more than one-third of the worldwide increase, according to a recent Energy Institute report. This surge in emissions marks a significant departure from previous trends, particularly in North America.

The report, a collaboration between Ember, Kearney Institute, and KPMG, highlights that increased natural gas prices in the US led power producers to revert to coal. Consequently, US coal consumption saw a substantial jump of 10 percent last year, reversing a prior shift towards cleaner energy sources and directly contributing to the rise in overall emissions.

Globally, carbon emissions from the energy sector climbed by 1.1 percent in 2025, reaching 35,806 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. This increase contrasts sharply with the preceding decade, during which North American emissions had been falling by an average of 0.7 percent annually. The findings underscore the complex challenges in transitioning to sustainable energy globally, with economic factors like fuel prices playing a critical role in energy choices and subsequent emissions.