* Emissions reduced over 2 years in the 1970s recession. Emissions reduced over 4 years in the early 1980s recession.
** Projected five percent fall in 2020 based on current restrictions on travel, work and industry.
Citation formats
Global decrease in carbon dioxide emissions by major event 1945-2020
In recent decades, measurements of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions have indicated significant decreases as a result of major events taking place around the world. The global recession of 1983 represented a fall of around one billion metric tons of carbon dioxide globally over four years. The novel coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis of 2020 is forecast to represent a record decrease of global CO2 emissions at nearly 2.5 billion metric tons, mainly due to the implemented restrictions around the world on traveling, work and industrial activities.
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The Guardian. (April 12, 2020). Decrease in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by major historical event (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph]. In ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/
The Guardian. "Decrease in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by major historical event (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide)." Chart. April 12, 2020. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. Accessed July 20, 2026. /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/
The Guardian. (2020). Decrease in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by major historical event (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide). ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ. ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc.. Accessed: July 20, 2026. /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/
The Guardian. "Decrease in Carbon Dioxide Emissions Worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by Major Historical Event (in Million Metric Tons of Carbon Dioxide)." ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ Inc., 12 Apr 2020, /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/
The Guardian, Decrease in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by major historical event (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) ÌÇÐÄÆƽâ°æ, /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/ (last visited July 20, 2026)
Decrease in carbon dioxide emissions worldwide between 1945 and 2020, by major historical event (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide) [Graph], The Guardian, April 12, 2020. [Online]. Available: /statistics/1111452/co2-emissions-decrease-due-to-major-historical-events-globally/
