Half of Global CO2 Emissions in the hands of 36 CEOs - OPINION April 16, 2025

llustrative photo: BBC

HALF OF GLOBAL CO2 EMISSIONS IN THE HANDS OF 36 CEOs

By MARCOS LEANDRO KAZMIERCZAK

Visual Capitalist's infographic, entitled “Half of Global CO₂ Comes From These 36 Companies”, presents an impactful visualization of the concentration of carbon dioxide emissions in a relatively small number of corporations. Through colored polygons sized in proportion to their contribution, the graphic reveals the disparity in responsibility for global emissions. It highlights the urgency of sustainable action on the part of these companies.

Fonte: Visual Capitalist

A partial list, based on the logos I was able to identify, can be seen below:

Saudi Aramco (Saudi Arabia): 4.4%; ADNOC (Abu Dhabi National Oil Company): 1.6%; QatarEnergy: 0.8%; CNPC (China National Petroleum Corporation): 1.6%; ChinaCoal: 1.7%; China Cement Industry: 2.8%; Coal India: 3.7%; Jineng Holding: 2.9%; NNPC (Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation): 0.6%; Société Nationale Industrielle et Minière (SNIM): 1.2%; TotalEnergies: 0.8%; Eni: 0.6%; Glencore: 0.7%; Lukoil: 0.8%; Rosneft: 1.9%; BP: 0.8%; Equinor: 0.7%; Gazprom: 2.3%; ExxonMobil: 1.3%; Chevron: 1.1%; ConocoPhillips: 0.6%; Peabody: 0.7%; Pemex: 0.9%; ExxonMobil: 1.3%; Chevron: 1.1%; ConocoPhillips: 0.6%; Peabody: 0.7%; Pemex: 0.9%; Petrobras: 1.0%; and NNPC: 0.6%.

• Concentration of emissions: The most alarming fact revealed by the infographic is that just 36 companies were responsible for approximately half of global CO₂ emissions in 2023. This shows an extreme concentration of environmental impact in the hands of a limited group of corporations, mainly in the energy sector. It underscores the need for stricter regulations and an accelerated transition to cleaner energy sources.

  
  

• The Energy Sector: Analysis of the infographic reveals that the energy sector, especially oil and gas companies, is the main contributor to CO₂ emissions. Giants such as Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, and Gazprom top the list, reflecting the global dependence on fossil fuels. The need to diversify the energy matrix and invest in renewable alternatives is becoming clear.

  
  

• China's cement industry: in addition to energy companies, China's cement industry also stands out as a major emitter. China Cement, for example, contributes significantly to global emissions. This highlights the importance of addressing industrial emissions, in addition to emissions from the energy sector, to achieve carbon reduction targets.

  
  

• Geographical distribution: the infographic shows a diverse geographical distribution of emitting companies, covering Asia, the Middle East, Africa, Europe, North America, and South America. This global distribution indicates that the responsibility for reducing emissions is shared between different regions and requires robust international cooperation.

  
  

• Disproportionate impact: the visual representation of the polygons, with their sizes varying according to their contribution to emissions, highlights the disproportionate impact of some companies. Saudi Aramco, for example, with its 4.4% of global emissions, significantly outweighs many other companies on the list, demonstrating the need for more drastic action on the part of the biggest emitters.

  
  

• Need for Sustainability: the infographic emphasizes the critical need for sustainable practices on the part of the companies listed. The transition to renewable energy sources, the adoption of carbon capture technologies, and the implementation of more efficient industrial processes are essential to reducing the carbon footprint of these corporations.

  
  

• Corporate responsibility: the disclosure of this data puts significant pressure on companies to take responsibility for their environmental impact. Transparency and accountability become crucial to ensure that these corporations adopt concrete measures to reduce their emissions and contribute to a more sustainable future.

  
  

• Political and Regulatory Implications: The data presented in the infographic has significant political and regulatory implications. Governments and international organizations should use this information to formulate more effective policies to reduce emissions and to encourage the adoption of sustainable practices in the corporate sector.

  
  
  
  

In conclusion, Visual Capitalist's infographic serves as a stark warning about the concentration of CO₂ emissions in a limited number of companies. The impactful visualization highlights the urgency of coordinated and ambitious actions to mitigate climate change and promote a more sustainable future. Shared responsibility between governments, companies, and civil society is key to achieving emissions reduction targets and protecting the planet.

Let's not forget that we don't have Planet B and that Musk's spaceships won't be able to take many people to Mars.

By MARCOS LEANDRO KAZMIERCZAK

Màh's father | PhD | Specialist in Future Climate Scenarios | Speaker born at 319 ppm