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Considering RI’s Real Contribution To Global GHG Emission

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Regarding the issue of the world’s largest emitters of greenhouse gas (GHG), Indonesia is often on the spotlight. It is accused as one of the biggest contributors of GHG emission in the world. But the latest data and facts on GHG emissions show otherwise.

The study of Ritchie and Roser (2017) reveals that countries contributing to the world’s GHG emission can be traced since early 1700s.

  • During period of 1700–1800s: The United Kingdom (UK) became the world’s main contributor of GHG emission, along with the first industrial revolution that was started since 1760s.
  • Early in 1800s: the European Union (EU) emerged as the main emitter of global GHG.
  • Since the end of 1800s: the United States of America (USA) emerged as one of the top three of GHG emitters in the world, together with India and China.

The increase of emissions during the period was strongly related to the industrial revolution and agricultural revolution, which were massive in Europe and USA.

Based on 2020 data, four countries/region as the main emitters of GHG are as follows:

  1. China – 14,3 Gt CO₂ eq (28,7%)
  2. USA – 5,64 Gt CO₂ eq (11,3%)
  3. European Union – 3,44 Gt CO₂ eq (6,9%)
  4. India – 2,21 Gt CO₂ eq (4,4%)

Totally, the four countries contribute 51.3% of total GHG emissions in the world.

What about Indonesia? Data in 2020 shows:

  • Indonesia’s GHG emission: 1.04 Gt CO₂ eq
  • Its share to total global emission: 2.1%

If compared to the top four of global contributors, Indonesia’s contribution is just small. It means, the claim that Indonesia is the global largest contributor of GHG emission is not true and not in accordance with the facts.

Despite the fact that Indonesia has its own responsibility in controlling GHG emission, all data have proven that its contribution to emissions is far below China, USA, European Union, and India. Considering the facts, it is important for the public to understand the actual condition of proportion of emission to allow the formulation of policies on climate and environment based on real data and facts, and not on assumptions. (*)

 

Ritchie H, Roser M. 2017. CO₂ and Other Greenhouse Gas Emissions. Our World in Data. Olivier JGJ, Schure KM, Peters JAHW. 2022. Trends in Global CO₂ and Total Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 2021 Summary Report.

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