57 corporations produce 80% of all global CO2 emissions.

Omissions

• The 57 companies / 80% figure refers to cumulative CO2 emissions over the period 2016-2022 (report released in April 2024), not to a current annual share — the MEP stated it without a time period, implying a present-day snapshot.
• The scope of the figure is CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement traced to producers, not literally all sources of global CO2 emissions (e.g., land-use change).
• More recent data published before the session (Carbon Majors 2024 data update, covering 2024) shows a lower annual concentration: 32 companies were linked to over half of global fossil fuel and cement CO2 emissions in 2024, and half of world emissions came from 36 fossil fuel firms based on 2023 data.
• The MEP did not cite a source; the statistic originates from the Carbon Majors database (InfluenceMap / Climate Accountability Institute).

Sources

• PrimaryInfluenceMap — Carbon Majors: 2024 Data UpdateJust 32 companies were linked to over half of global fossil fuel and cement CO2 emissions in 2024. As shown in Figure 1, the top 10 companies by emissions...
• SecondaryThe GuardianJust 57 companies linked to 80% of greenhouse gas emissions since 2016. CO2 emissions traced to 122 major carbon fuel and cement producers.
• SecondarySmithsonian MagazineFrom 2016 to 2022, 80 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions were produced by just 57 companies. Shared in the think tank's Carbon Majors report.
• SecondaryINET Oxford (Institute for New Economic Thinking, University of Oxford)Just 57 companies and nation states were responsible for generating 80% of the world's CO2 emissions from fossil fuels and cement over the last [period since 2016].
• SecondaryThe GuardianHalf of world's CO2 emissions come from 36 fossil fuel firms. The Carbon Majors report calculates the emissions released by the burning of the coal, oil and gas produced by 169 major companies in 2023.