U.S. States Ranked by Carbon Dioxide Emissions

Carbon dioxide emissions are among the primary contributing factors of climate change. In order to slow the negative effects of climate change, it’s generally recognized that everyone around the world must do their part to reduce emissions. Many areas have already committed to a plan to reduce their emissions in the next few years. But how is the United States faring?

The team at Solar Power Guide looked at CO2 emissions by state to see which U.S. states produce the most and least emissions per capita.

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Which States Produce the Most Carbon Emissions per Capita?

These are the top 10 states that have the highest per-capita CO2 emissions in the U.S. measured in metric tons:

  1. Wyoming: 104.48
  2. North Dakota: 74.26
  3. West Virginia: 49.93
  4. Louisiana: 48.44
  5. Alaska: 46.02
  6. Montana: 28.75
  7. Indiana: 26.39
  8. Kentucky: 25.50
  9. Texas: 24.97
  10. Nebraska: 24.88

Wyoming tops the list as the state with the most carbon emissions per capita. This is mainly because Wyoming produces about 40% of the coal in the country. Burning coal to produce energy releases a great deal of carbon dioxide.

North Dakota is second on the list at 74.26 metric tons of carbon emissions per capita. North Dakota also has a large coal mining industry, which contributes to their CO2 emissions. Agriculture, which is a big business in North Dakota, also plays a large part in emissions. Carbon dioxide is released by farming equipment when planting, applying pesticides, and harvesting crops.

States With the Highest and Lowest Carbon Emissions

Overall, Texas is responsible for the most carbon emissions in the United States, at 706.5 million metric tons. It’s the second largest state in terms of area and the second most populous state, which is why, despite having the highest amount of CO2 emissions in the country, it ranks ninth on the list for emissions per capita.

The state with the lowest carbon emissions overall is Vermont, at 5.8 million metric tons. Vermont is the second least populated state as well as the sixth smallest state in terms of area.

What Produces Carbon Dioxide?

Carbon dioxide enters our atmosphere from both human and natural activity, though human activity has been responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions in the past 150 years. The biggest culprit is burning fossil fuels like oil, coal, and natural gas for heat, electricity, and transportation.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency, these are the top contributors to the United States’ carbon emissions, per 2019 data (percentages do not add up to 100% due to independent rounding):

  • Transportation: 29%
  • Electricity production: 25%
  • Industry: 23%
  • Commercial and residential: 13%
  • Land use and forestry: 12%
  • Agriculture: 10%

To save on energy costs, many people have been looking into solar panel installation. Solar panel costs have gone down significantly in recent years, making them an enticing option for homeowners and businesses alike.

States Ranked by Carbon Emissions

Annual Carbon Emissions per Capita Measured in Metric Tons

Rank State Annual CO2 Emissions (Millions of Metric Tons) Population Annual CO2 Emissions per Capita (Metric Tons)
1 Wyoming 60.6 579,994 104.484
2 North Dakota 56.2 756,755 74.264
3 West Virginia 90.8 1,818,683 49.926
4 Louisiana 226.4 4,673,673 48.442
5 Alaska 34.1 740,983 46.020
6 Montana 30.3 1,053,862 28.751
7 Indiana 175.8 6,662,068 26.388
8 Kentucky 113.6 4,455,590 25.496
9 Texas 706.5 28,291,024 24.973
10 Nebraska 47.7 1,916,998 24.883
11 Iowa 76.3 3,143,734 24.271
12 Oklahoma 92.7 3,933,602 23.566
13 New Mexico 48.7 2,092,844 23.270
14 Mississippi 67.4 2,990,674 22.537
15 Alabama 108.3 4,877,989 22.202
16 Arkansas 63.9 3,003,855 21.273
17 Missouri 122.4 6,111,382 20.028
18 Kansas 57.9 2,910,892 19.891
19 Utah 58.2 3,103,540 18.753
20 Ohio 204.3 11,665,706 17.513
21 Wisconsin 97.6 5,793,147 16.847
22 Pennsylvania 215.3 12,794,679 16.827
23 South Dakota 14.5 873,732 16.595
24 Minnesota 87.9 5,569,283 15.783
25 Illinois 201.1 12,779,893 15.736
26 Colorado 87.0 5,617,421 15.488
27 Michigan 151.8 9,976,752 15.215
28 Tennessee 97.6 6,714,748 14.535

29

 South Carolina 68.8 5,027,102 13.686
30 Delaware 12.3 957,942 12.840
31 Georgia 131.9 10,417,031 12.662
32 Hawaii 17.6 1,425,763 12.344
33 Nevada 36.2 2,972,097 12.180
34 Arizona 85.6 7,048,088 12.145
35 Virginia 97.9 8,471,011 11.557
36 Maine 15.4 1,335,743 11.529
37 New Jersey 101.0 8,888,147 11.363
38 North Carolina 115.0 10,275,758 11.191
39 Florida 226.6 20,977,089 10.802
40 Idaho 18.4 1,719,745 10.699
41 Washington 78.2 7,427,951 10.528
42 New Hampshire 13.4 1,350,395 9.923
43 Rhode Island 10.0 1,056,554 9.465
44 Connecticut 33.4 3,575,324 9.342
45 Vermont 5.8 625,132 9.278
46 Oregon 38.3 4,147,294 9.235
47 Massachusetts 63.3 6,863,560 9.223
48 California 358.6 39,337,785 9.116
49 Maryland 51.6 6,028,186 8.560
50 New York 156.7 19,593,849 7.997

U.S. States With the Greatest Total Annual CO2 Emissions (Millions of Metric Tons)

Rank State Annual CO2 Emissions (Millions of Metric Tons)
1 Texas 706.5
2 California 358.6
3 Florida 226.6
4 Louisiana 226.4
5 Pennsylvania 215.3
6 Ohio 204.3
7 Illinois 201.1
8 Indiana 175.8
9 New York 156.7
10 Michigan 151.8

U.S. States With the Least Total Annual CO2 Emissions (Millions of Metric Tons)

Rank State Annual CO2 Emissions (Millions of Metric Tons)
1 Vermont 5.8
2 Rhode Island 10.0
3 Delaware 12.3
4 New Hampshire 13.4
5 South Dakota 14.5
6 Maine 15.4

7

 Hawaii 17.6
8 Idaho 18.4
9 Montana 30.3
10 Connecticut 33.4
Written and designed by Joe Robertson