The 25 Countries Increasing Emissions the Fastest

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10. Iraq
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: 91.55%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 631.24% — #36 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 210.98 — #29 largest of 145 countries
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 17.24% — #45 largest increase of 144 countries
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: 74.02% — #6 largest increase of 88 countries

Iraq, rebuilding from years of armed conflict, registered the sixth-largest increase of total greenhouse-gas emissions from 2010 to 2019, or 74%. The temperature in Iraq is increasing by seven times the worldwide average, according to data from the Astrophysics Data System that is operated by the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory.

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9. Zambia
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: 110.65%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 73.58% — #88 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 6.58 — #120 largest of 145 countries
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 96.93% — #9 largest increase of 144 countries
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: No data

This south-central African nation had the ninth-biggest increase of CO2 emissions per capita from 2010 to 2019, at more than 96%. Deforestation and other land uses are responsible for most of Zambia’s greenhouse-gas emissions. The government has focused on the forestry sector to reduce emissions resulting from forest degradation.

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8. Ethiopia
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: 131.42%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 692.92% — #28 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 14.68 — #95 largest of 145 countries
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 97.01% — #8 largest increase of 144 countries
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: 70.65% — #7 largest increase of 88 countries

This eastern African nation posted the seventh-largest increase in total greenhouse-gas emission from 2010 to 2019 of any country on the list, more than 70%. Africa’s second-most populous country, it also had the eighth-biggest jump in CO2 emissions per capita from 2010 to 2019 of 97%. A signatory to the Kyoto Protocol on climate change, Ethiopia faces environmental issues including deforestation, desertification, and industrial pollution.

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7. Mozambique
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: 149.41%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 81.97% — #85 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 6.58 — #121 largest of 145 countries
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 118.18% — #6 largest increase of 144 countries
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: 144 countries.36% — #1 largest increase of 88 countries

The African island nation had the biggest increase in total greenhouse-gas emissions over the 2010 to 2019 period out of 144 countries at over 118%. Like many developing nations, Mozambique has experienced migration to urban and coastal areas that have impacted the environment.

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6. Myanmar
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: 177.66%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 612.34% — #39 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 36.35 — #66 largest of 145 countries
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 314.01% — #2 largest increase of 144 countries
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: No data

Myanmar, once known as Burma, had the second-biggest increase in CO2 emissions per capita over the 2010 to 2019 period, 144 countries%. It is developing rapidly, leading to deforestation and air and water pollution.