However, when land-use emissions are taken into account, countries such as Brazil and Indonesia rise up the rankings. In previous studies, historical cumulative emissions have mainly been calculated from fossil fuel combustion and cement production.

China's emissions have soared up in recent decades as the country rapidly develops. China is ranked second overall having released 284.5 GtCO2. by far the biggest cumulative emitter over the past two centuries. The United States has contributed to roughly 20 percent of this total, at just over 509 GtCO2. Humans have released approximately 2,500 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (GtCO2) emissions into the atmosphere since 1850 from fossil fuel combustion and land-use. Global cumulative CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and land use 1850-2021, by country