May 1, 2024

The electric power sector generated the most CO₂ emissions in the US through 2016, accounting for about 37% of the total. Since then, as more coal generation is shuttered and renewables are brought online, it has dropped below the transportation sector and accounted for 25% of total CO₂ emissions in 2022. Over the past 3 years, the transportation sector has also seen a decline in its contribution to the total CO₂ emissions – dropping from its average of 34% (2015-2019) to 29% driven by new clean fuel regulations. The Industrial sector ranked 3rd in CO₂ emissions and increased to 24% over the past 3 years from their historical range of 15% prior. Similarly, Agriculture and Commercial contributions to CO₂ emissions increased over the past few years from 7% the range to 10% for agriculture and 4% to 7% for commercial. The Residential sector has steadily contributed about 6% of the total CO₂ emissions.

See also:
US Historical GHG Emissions by Type 1990-2022
US GHG Emission Intensity for Natural Gas Systems 2017-2030
US GHG Emissions from Natural Gas Systems 1990-2030
Forecast of Emissions from US Petroleum Systems 1990-2030
Forecast of Emissions from US Petroleum Systems by GHG 2005-2030
Forecast of US Emissions from Natural Gas Flaring 2005-2030

References:
1. Organization for economic co-operation and development. 2023. Available at https://stats.oecd.org/Index.aspx?DataSetCode=air_ghg
2. EPA. 2022. Inventory of Green House Gas Emissions and Sinks. Available at https://www.epa.gov/system/files/documents/2023-04/US-GHG-Inventory-2023-Main-Text.pdf.