The United States was responsible for 70% of the increase in global greenhouse gas emissions in 2025. This surge is analyzed as a result of the Trump administration eliminating or easing various environmental regulations upon taking office.

According to the "Emissions Gap Report 2026" released by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) on the 21st (local time), greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S. increased by 133 million tons in 2025 (in carbon dioxide equivalent) compared to the previous year. During the same period, the total increase across 124 countries where emissions rose stood at 189 million tons, meaning roughly 70% of the total global increase originated in the U.S.

In G20 economies outside the U.S., emissions either decreased or their growth slowed down, with 63 countries recording overall reductions. South Korea, which recorded total greenhouse gas emissions of 685.71 million tons in 2025, also successfully cut its emissions by 0.9% (6.1 million tons) year-on-year.

The prominent rise in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions was driven by expanded electricity demand and an increase in coal-fired power generation. According to the "Global Electricity Report 2026" published in April this year by international energy think tank Ember, U.S. electricity demand grew by 3% in 2025 compared to the previous year. The expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) data centers and increased winter heating demand were analyzed as the main causes.

In particular, the increase in coal power generation drove up carbon emissions from the electricity production process. While U.S. fossil fuel power generation rose by 0.9% from the previous year, emissions in the power sector measured in carbon dioxide equivalents jumped by 3.1%, influenced by a decrease in natural gas generation and a rise in coal power.

The U.S. is the world’s second-largest greenhouse gas emitter after China. With the U.S.—a major emitter—experiencing a sharp surge in emissions last year and subsequently withdrawing from the Paris Agreement, international efforts to reduce greenhouse gases are expected to face setbacks. UNEP stated, "Due to the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris Agreement and revisions to past emission estimates, the projected rise in global average temperatures has increased by 0.1℃ compared to last year."

UNEP projected that even if all countries fully implement their greenhouse gas reduction targets and continue reduction efforts thereafter, the global average temperature in 2100 will rise by 2.6℃ compared to pre-industrial levels. Under current policies, the temperature increase will reach 2.8℃. Both scenarios significantly exceed the goal of the Paris Agreement, which is to limit the global average temperature rise to within 1.5℃ above pre-industrial levels.

"It has become difficult to avoid a temporary overshoot of the 1.5℃ temperature increase threshold," UNEP noted, adding, "To bring temperatures back down to 1.5℃ or below by 2100, global greenhouse gas emissions must be reduced by 18% by 2030 and by 69% by 2040, compared to 2025 levels."

[ⓒ Global Economic Times. 무단전재-재배포 금지]