IEA Key World Energy Statistics 2015
According to the reputable IEA (International Energy Agency), the worlds CO2 emissions have more than doubled in the 30 years prior to 2013. The IEA was created in 1974 by the OECD (Organisation for Economics Co-operation and Development) organisation after the 1973 oil crisis and now acts as a policy advisor to member and non-member states.
In 1973 OECD countries comprising the 20 founding members of the European Economic Community plus the USA, Canada, Japan, Finland, Australia and New Zealand were responsible for 66.3% of the worlds annual CO2 emissions (10286 Mt). By 2013 that percentage share had dropped to 37.4% but the actual annual CO2 emissions were still higher by x1.2 times (12039Mt).
In 2013 China alone emitted almost as much CO2 (9013Mt) as the entire OECD did in 1973! Its CO2 emissions had grown by x9.7 times since 1973.
Asian and Middle East countries annual CO2 emissions between 1973 and 2013 have increased at a comparable rate to China, i.e.by x7.8 and x13.5 times respectively. Asia now makes up 11.2% (3605Mt) and the Middle East 5.1% (1641Mt) of annual CO2 emissions.
Africa too has seen a steady relative increase in CO2 emissions, in 2013 its emissions (1094Mt) were bigger than China’s was in 1973 (930Mt) even though emissions were only 3.4% of the worlds total in 2013.
Interesting comparisons at a time when developed and developing countries are discussing CO2 emissions mitigations at the COP21 UN Paris climate conference (Dec 2015).
The Importance Of Being Earnest about Energy 