Carbon dioxide and other heat-trapping greenhouse gases are causing the planet to warm at an alarming rate, prompting increasingly destructive storms, floods, heatwaves and fires around the globe.

But where do these emissions actually come from?

We charted emissions data from WRI’s Climate Watch platform to show which human activities contribute the most to climate change — and, in turn, where the world needs to take action to stem the problem at its many sources.

Rain is bringing some relief to parts of Los Angeles still battling devastating wildfires. But it also brings the possibility of dangerous mudslides and toxic runoff — a stark reminder that lost lives and property damage aren’t the only ways fires affect communities.

Among his week-one acts, President Donald Trump paused U.S financing for climate projects overseas, which totaled $11 billion in 2024. This finance is critical for poorer nations to pursue meaningful climate action. Based on its wealth and outsized emissions, data suggests the U.S. should be the world’s biggest contributor.

Some governments are making bold plans to retire coal plants early in order to curb climate change and reduce pollution. But they aren’t the only ones with a say in the matter. Foreign investors own a large share of coal plants in developing countries and could potentially hamper their climate plans.

WRI’s climate finance calculator allows users to explore which countries should contribute the most to international climate finance, based on factors like historical emissions and incomes. In almost every scenario, the U.S. comes out on top.