China for the first time spewed out more carbon-dioxide emissions last year than the U.S., the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency (MNP) said June 19.
"China's 2006 carbon dioxide emissions surpassed those of the USA by percent," the group said. In 2005 U.S. emissions were up 2% compared to China.
Industrial processes and the burning of fossil fuels -- oil, gas and coal -- are the main causes of carbon-dioxide emissions. Of the industrial processes, cement production is one of the principal sources of greenhouse gas, the MNP said. In 2006 China had a 44% share in global cement production, it added.
According to the MNP figures, China's emissions increased by 9% in 2006 compared to its 2005 ouput. In the U.S. emissions rose 1.4% from 2005 to 2006.
Copyright Agence France-Presse, 2007
