According to a report released by independent energy expert group Ember, by 2022, coal-fired power generation in Australia and South Korea will have generated more than twice as many emissions per capita as the average for the world’s twenty most industrialized countries. Australia emits 4.14 tons of CO2 per capita, while South Korea emits 3.27 tons.
These figures put Australia and South Korea ahead of countries like China (3.10 tons) and the United States (2.02 tons) in terms of emissions per capita. The report also highlights that Germany’s per capita emissions have fallen by 35% since 2015, despite concerns raised by the nuclear lobby about a rise in CO2 emissions after nuclear power is phased out.
Australia and South Korea emit far more CO2 per capita than any other country in the world, more than three times the world average. Australia’s carbon emissions per capita are the highest of any G20 country due to the heavy use of coal in electricity generation. However, the share of solar and wind energy has increased in both countries in recent years, leading to a decrease in CO2 emissions per capita.
On the other hand, the report underlines the importance of considering emissions per capita when comparing countries in terms of their environmental impact. According to Ember, the G20 should play a crucial role in the energy transition and reducing carbon emissions, as it accounts for 85% of global GDP and contributes to 80% of energy sector emissions. In 2022, about 36% of the world’s electricity will be generated from coal, resulting in 8,367 million tons of CO2 emissions.
