Former USSR Fuel CO₂ Emissions

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Trends

Prior to 1989, CO₂ emissions had grown virtually unchecked since 1950 at a rate of 4.8% annually. From 1950-1991, the former USSR's share increased from 12% to 16% of total global emissions. Growth during the late 1980s was stimulated largely by the rapid exploitation of huge natural gas resources. In 1991, emissions from natural gas consumption accounted for 33% of Soviet emissions. Contributions from coal burning, on the other hand, have shrunk, from 80% in 1950 to 31% in 1991. Petroleum consumption since 1975 have been relatively static. Gas-flaring data for the former USSR are poor and partly estimated and should be considered qualitative only, but gas flaring contributes only a small fraction of total emissions.