Most greenhouse gas emissions originate from countries that are not democratic, particularly authoritarian states dominating oil and gas supplies. Major fossil fuel companies, referred to as carbon majors, are predominantly state-owned, with 16 out of the 20 biggest emitters being under autocratic control, responsible for 52% of emissions. Historically, climate talks did not differentiate based on governance types, but there is now an urgent recognition of the influence these autocracies have on climate outcomes, evidenced by the fact that only Coal India belongs to a democracy among the largest emitters.
The bulk of the world's greenhouse gas emissions come from countries that are not democratic, primarily from major oil and gas suppliers, which are often authoritarian.
Of the top 20 fossil fuel companies responsible for global emissions in 2023, 16 are state-owned, accounting for 52% of total emissions, mostly managed by autocracies.
Historically, climate diplomacy overlooked the significance of governmental structure, but the concentrated power of autocratic states now poses a critical challenge to limiting climate change.
Only Coal India, among the five largest global emitters, is owned by a democracy, highlighting the dominance of authoritarian control over major fossil fuel outputs.
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