Unveiling the Big Emitters: Discover Which Countries Are Hampering Climate Action and the Reasons Behind It

This year marks the 30th UN climate summit, known as COP30, taking place in Brazil. Each climate summit is vital, but this one comes at a particularly tough time. The US has exited the Paris Agreement, which aimed to keep global temperatures under control—specifically below 2°C above preindustrial levels.

Challenges also arise from geopolitical tensions. Israel has launched attacks on Iran, a key player in global oil markets. Meanwhile, the European Union, a leader in climate action, faces internal pressures to relax environmental regulations from some member states.

Given this backdrop, it’s crucial to examine the world’s largest polluters and what they plan to do about their carbon emissions. These countries vary widely in governance—some are autocracies, others are democracies struggling with political shifts.

Over the coming months, we’ll profile the top 10 emitters based on data from the Global Carbon Budget. To start, Fiona Harvey, the Guardian’s environment editor, has consulted with experts on negotiating with autocracies. One notable point is that experts label Russia as “the canary in the coal mine,” highlighting its environmental challenges as a warning sign for others.

Upcoming features will explore countries like South Korea, India, Germany, and China. These insights will help us understand how global dynamics are shifting and the implications for climate action in this critical year.

According to a recent survey by the Pew Research Center, a growing number of people across the globe recognize climate change as a major concern, with over 60% calling for urgent action. As awareness increases, the pressure on major emitters to commit to meaningful changes grows stronger.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into how these countries respond to the challenges and opportunities in their paths toward reducing emissions.

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