This infographic shows CO2 emissions all around the world

With all the conversation around climate change, global CO2 emissions must be starting to fall, right? Well, no actually.

Last year, global greenhouse gas emissions actually rose by 2.1%. That’s despite well-publicised commitments, such as the 2016 Paris Agreement, to keep global temperature rises to a minimum.

And, as the following chart shows, they’ve risen dramatically since the turn of the last century.

Consider China. Despite world-leading investments in renewable energy, its greenhouse gas emissions are still on the rise.

Last year, the superpower was responsible for almost one-third of all the CO2 emitted. China has also recently invested in new coal-fired power stations and, with its current policies, GHG emissions are projected to rise until at least 2030.

The second most-polluting nation, in terms of CO2 emissions globally, is the United States. Responsible for 15% of global emissions, it’s a long way behind China’s 27%.

But the US has the world’s highest per capita CO2 emissions – 16.6 tonnes per person, way ahead of the global average of 4.8 tonnes and China’s 7 tonnes per person.

It has been gradually reducing those emissions over the last few decades, but the US’s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement may undo some of that progress.

Together, the 28 member states of the European Union are the third-largest emitter of carbon dioxide - responsible for a combined 9% of global emissions.

By 2020 it has pledged:

By 2050, the EU aims to have slashed its emissions by 80-95% compared to 1990 levels.

The region’s dominant economy, Germany, is a prolific coal user. In 2016, more than 42% of its domestic electricity production came from coal.

With emissions still on the rise, there’s significant work still needed.

Speaking at the recent UN climate summit in New York, António Guterres, UN secretary-general, urged countries to take urgent, joined-up and decisive action to limit the effects of climate change, saying, “Nature is striking back with fury.”

Greta Thunberg also gave an impassioned speech to world leaders, accusing them of ‘betraying’ young people.