US Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rose in 2025 After Years of Decline

US greenhouse gas emissions grew in 2025, ending a period of several years marked by steady declines. The rise was driven by a mix of weather conditions, energy demand, and fuel market trends.

According to published data, carbon emissions in the United States increased by 2.4% during 2025. This shift reversed a previous downward pattern that had persisted for several years and brought total emissions to approximately 5.9 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent for the year.

The increase in emissions amounted to 139 million tons more than the previous year. This change was attributed to factors including a colder winter, greater electricity use from data centers and cryptocurrency mining, and higher natural gas prices that contributed to increased coal usage.

Coal-fired electricity generation grew by 13% in 2025, marking only the second time in the past decade that coal generation increased year-over-year. This rise in coal use was linked to higher costs for natural gas, which made coal a more commonly used fuel for power generation during the year.

What the numbers show

• US carbon emissions rose by 2.4% in 2025
• Total emissions reached 5.9 billion tons of CO₂ equivalent
• Coal-generated electricity increased by 13% in 2025
• Solar power grew by 34% in 2025
• Emissions increase outpaced economic growth for the first time in three years

Solar power generation also expanded rapidly, with a 34% increase in 2025. This represented the largest annual growth in solar energy since 2017, reflecting ongoing investment in renewable energy sources alongside the rise in fossil fuel use.

The overall increase in emissions was notable because it outpaced the rate of economic growth for the first time in three years. In previous years, emissions had tended to grow more slowly than the economy or had declined even as economic activity increased.

Increased demand for electricity from data centers and cryptocurrency mining facilities contributed to higher overall power consumption. This demand, combined with weather-related heating needs, placed additional pressure on the energy system and influenced the mix of fuels used for electricity generation.

Energy market conditions, such as elevated natural gas prices, played a role in shifting some power generation from gas to coal. This contributed to the overall rise in emissions, despite the substantial growth in solar power during the same period.

* This article is based on publicly available information at the time of writing.