24/02/2026
The statement that carbon dioxide emitted by humans (anthropogenic CO₂ emissions) accounts for approximately 5% of global CO₂ emissions (natural + artificial) is factually correct, but is a very misleading statement.
Why is it said to be "5%"?
• In the Earth's carbon cycle, approximately 75-80 billion tons (gigatonnes) of CO₂ are released into and absorbed into the atmosphere each year from the natural world (oceans, plants, soil, breathing, etc.).
• In contrast, human emissions from fossil fuel combustion, cement production, etc. are approximately 3.7-4.2 billion tons per year (estimated value for around 2024).
• In other words, anthropogenic emissions account for approximately 4-5% of the total amount in the natural cycle (values confirmed by reliable sources such as the IPCC and the Global Carbon Budget).
However, this does not mean that "human impact is small."
• Nature's emissions and sinks have been roughly balanced (nearly zero net), keeping atmospheric CO₂ concentrations stable for a long time.
• Only about half of additional human emissions are absorbed by natural sinks (oceans, forests, etc.), with the remainder accumulating in the atmosphere.
• As a result, CO₂ concentrations have increased by about 50% from pre-industrial revolution levels (approximately 280 ppm) to the present (approximately 420-423 ppm), and almost all of that increase (over 140 ppm) is due to anthropogenic emissions. In other words, approximately one-third (33%) of atmospheric CO₂ today is of human origin.
In short:
• Total emissions: Humans ≈ 5% (natural sources 97-96%) → Correct, but misleading depending on the context.
• Cause of increase in atmospheric concentrations: Humans account for almost 100% (natural sources are close to net zero) → This is the primary cause of global warming.
As part of the EU–Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation’s Business Mission to Japan and the EU Business Hub programme, approximately 60 European startups and SMEs will travel to Japan in March to engage in targeted business matchmaking activities.Several other European delegations will be in J...
