5. Greece
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -46.35%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 88.24% — #86 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 52.27 — #54 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -41.96% — #15 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
The government of Greece in November introduced climate change legislation that included ending the sale of cars running on fuel or diesel by 2030 and banning the use of heating oil.
4. Denmark
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -46.73%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -54.05% — #8 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 26.21 — #80 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -48.53% — #7 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2020: -45.41% — #4 largest decline of 88
Denmark boasted the fourth-largest drop in GHG emissions from 2010 to 2020. The Scandinavian nation has vowed to cut emissions by 70% by 2030 from 1990 levels. That translates to an annual CO2 emissions reduction by 20 million tons.
3. Syrian Arab Republic
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -49.71%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 244.05% — #68 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 30.55 — #76 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: -48.45% — #3 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: -62.23% — #2 largest decline of 88
The Syrian Arab Republic registered the second-largest decline in GHG emissions and the third biggest drop of CO2 emissions per capita of the 144 countries with data.
2. Venezuela
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -54.04%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 35.37% — #100 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 84.67 — #44 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: -42.25% — #8 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: -37.02% — #6 largest decline of 88
Venezuela slashed GHG emissions by 37% from 2010 to 2019, the sixth-biggest drop of any country on the list. The worldwide decarbonization effort could mean Venezuela — which has the world’s largest oil reserves — will have the world’s biggest stranded asset.
1. Yemen
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -57.81%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 395.54% — #51 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 9.78 — #108 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: -65.98% — #1 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: -66.52% — #1 largest decline of 88
Yemen tops the list of countries that are decreasing emissions the fastest. The nation on the Arabian Peninsula led all nations (145 with data) in percentage of emissions reduction for greenhouse gasses and for CO2.
