Editor's Note: This story originally appeared on Commodity.com.
As the effects of climate change become more severe, policymakers worldwide are increasingly focused on how to limit greenhouse gas emissions, slow the pace of climate change, and mitigate climate risks.
World leaders met in Glasgow in November of last year for the latest United Nations climate conference, with the aim of setting new, more aggressive targets to reduce emissions and combat warming. The conference produced a number of pledges to accomplish this goal, including agreements to phase down the use of coal and fossil fuels for energy.
In the U.S., limiting carbon emissions has been a major goal in the first year of President Joe Biden’s administration.
A $1 trillion infrastructure bill passed by Congress and signed into law in November included major new investments in the electric grid and clean energy, electric vehicle charging stations, and enhanced rail and public transportation systems to reduce emissions.
The Biden administration has also used other means to establish emissions reductions as a priority, including a broad pledge to cut the nation’s emissions by 2030 and an executive order outlining specific steps the federal government will take to reduce its carbon footprint from operations and procurement.
To determine the states with the largest carbon footprint, researchers at Commodity.com calculated per capita annual carbon dioxide emissions. The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the U.S. Census Bureau.
In the event of a tie, the state with the higher total annual CO2 emissions was ranked higher.
Here are the states with the most carbon dioxide emissions.
15. New Mexico
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 21.7
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 45,400,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Petroleum
14. Alabama
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 23.2
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 113,300,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Natural Gas
13. Arkansas
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 23.6
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 71,100,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
12. Texas
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 23.9
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 684,000,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Industrial
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Petroleum
11. Oklahoma
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 24.8
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 97,700,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Natural Gas
10. Iowa
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 26.3
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 82,800,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
9. Kentucky
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 27.1
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 121,200,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
8. Nebraska
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 27.2
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 52,500,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
7. Indiana
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 28.2
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 188,800,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
6. Montana
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 29.0
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 30,800,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
5. Louisiana
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 42.7
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 199,300,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Industrial
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Natural Gas
4. Alaska
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 47.6
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 35,100,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Industrial
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Natural Gas
3. West Virginia
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 49.8
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 90,000,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
2. North Dakota
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 77.7
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 59,100,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
1. Wyoming
- Per capita annual CO2 emissions (tons): 109.9
- Total annual CO2 emissions (tons): 63,600,000
- Sector that emits the most CO2: Electric Power
- Fuel that emits the most CO2: Coal
Methodology
The data used in this analysis is from the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s Environment Dataset and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.
To determine the states with the largest carbon footprint, researchers calculated per capita annual carbon dioxide emissions. In the event of a tie, the state with the higher total annual CO2 emissions was ranked higher.
All state-level data shown is for 2018 (the most recent available); national-level data is for 2019.
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