Central and South America’s Emissions Control: Progress and Challenges
Recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA) reveals that Central and South America contributed 6.3% of global CO2 emissions from fuel combustion in 2021. The region’s total emissions reached 2,119.919 Mt CO2, marking a 31% increase since 2000. Brazil leads the region in emissions, followed by Argentina and Chile, highlighting the varied scales of environmental impact across different countries.
Despite the overall increase, the region’s per capita emissions remain below the global average. At 2.046 tCO2 per capita in 2021, Central and South America’s emissions are 52% of the world average. This statistic underscores the region’s relatively lower carbon footprint on an individual level, though it also reflects disparities in economic development and energy consumption patterns across the area.
The primary source of CO2 emissions in the region is oil, accounting for a significant 63% of total emissions from fuel combustion. Natural gas follows at 24.7%, with coal contributing 12.1%. This breakdown emphasizes the region’s heavy reliance on fossil fuels, particularly in the transportation sector. As countries in Central and South America continue to balance economic growth with environmental concerns, transitioning to cleaner energy sources remains a critical challenge for future emissions control efforts.