Handful of companies account for half of global fossil fuel emissions

Just 32 companies were responsible for 50% of global fossil fuel emissions in 2024.

Latest figures from the Carbon Majors database show the number of major emitters has fallen from 38 five years ago, which it said demonstrated the consolidation of emissions among an increasingly small group of entities.

Asian companies remaining the largest contributors, responsible for nearly one-third of global fossil fuel emissions tracked by the database.

State-controlled fossil fuel producers remain dominant, representing 17 of the top 20 emitters.

The database shows that 17 of the top 20 emitting companies are controlled by governments that opposed a COP30 proposal for a roadmap to transition away from fossil fuels.

Christiana Figueres, co-founder of the Global Optimism pressure group, said: "When we need to accelerate progress to the clean energy future that would give us greater energy security, affordability and freedom, these emitters continue to block our way.”

But she said the data provides a tool for the “growing majority who are coming together to champion science-backed solutions and accountability”.