United States and China responsible for 41% of CO2 emissions in 2009

Global CO₂ emissions decreased by 0.5 Gt CO₂ (1.5%) between 2008 and 2009, primarily because of the recession according to the IEA.

Two-thirds of global CO₂ emissions for 2009 came from ten countries. 

The emissions of developed countries fell by 6.5%, putting them 6.4% below their collective level in 1990.

For the group of countries signing the Kyoto protocol their 2009 emissions were 14.7% below their 1990 level.

The emissions of developing countries were up by +3.3% in 2009.

Among the five largest emitters of CO₂ in 2009, China, the Russian Federation and the United States significantly reduced their emissions intensity (CO₂ emissions per dollar of GDP) between 1990 and 2009.

Among the five largest emitters, the levels of per capita emissions ranged from 1 tonne to 5 tonnes of CO₂ per capita for India and China respectively to 17 tonnes per capita for the United States.