As the threat of global warming grows, many nations are working to lessen its impact. In particular, some are moving toward a carbon-neutral stance.
The amount of carbon dioxide released annually by each country is depicted here in metric tons. Cities, roads, and shipping routes are also highlighted as sources of these emissions.
Norway, a small Nordic country with a population of about 5 million, is widely recognized as an international climate change pioneer. It plans to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030 and invests billions in international efforts to preserve trees that remove carbon dioxide from the air and reduce global warming.
Additionally, it is a leading contributor to global initiatives to curb deforestation. It has already spent $1 billion on tree preservation in Brazil and has pledged up to $350 million annually for the foreseeable future to protect forests in other countries.
However, Norway's fossil fuel industry is crucial to the country's economy, accounting for 30 percent of Norwegian exports and more than 12 percent of GDP. Even if Norway reaches its goals under the Paris Agreement and stops adding new oil fields, its fossil fuel consumption could contribute to global warming due to the emissions it produces.
Denmark, along with Greenland and the Faroe Islands, makes up the tiny Scandinavian nation of the same name in Northern Europe. Germany forms its southern border, located southwest of Sweden and south of Norway.
Over half of its six million residents reside in Copenhagen and on the island of Jutland. The vast welfare state, which includes free medical care and public schools, contributes to the country's mild climate.
The economy and living conditions in Denmark are excellent. As far as economies go, it ranks up there with the best. Many foreign performance indicators also place it highly.
Germany, the world's fourth-most populous nation, is the European Union's economic and industrial powerhouse. It offers all residents free public healthcare, college, and medical treatment.
It is a parliamentary democracy comprised of numerous independent nations, each having its background, language (spoken by a different German tribe), culture, and religious beliefs. Amid the Franco-Prussian War in 1871, it became a unified nation.
Germans comprise most of the country's population (91%). Still, the government also contains several smaller ethnic groups that are considered "national minorities," including the Danes in Schleswig-Holstein, the Frisians in the state's westernmost region, the Roma and Sinti across the entire federal territory, and the Sorbs, a Slavic people who live in Lusatia, Saxony, and Brandenburg.
The stunning natural scenery in New Zealand has made it the top ecotourism destination in the world. Among the many attractions of this country are its white-sand beaches, intriguing fern woods, and snow-capped mountains.
A great deal of work must be done to ensure the maximum efficacy of the country's climate policy and action. For instance, the Government's Zero Carbon Act has yet to be followed up with serious measures to cut emissions.
Also, New Zealand's use of a planted forest accounting approach that conceals the industry's expanding emissions has drawn criticism. This strategy not only puts New Zealand at risk of fires and epidemics but also risks becoming a liability for the future.
Japan, often known as the Land of the Rising Sun, has a chain of islands in East Asia. One hundred twenty-seven million two hundred fifty-three thousand seventy-five people live there, home to numerous major cities.
The country is well-known for its rich heritage, unique culture, and cutting-edge innovations. This is a result of the consistent effort put in by those involved.
The Japanese are well-known all over the world for their advanced technological capabilities. The country's economy is phenomenal and continues to expand daily.
They're developing some of the best innovations ever made and have one of the world's most advanced technology. This is due to the dedication of the Japanese people to their nation's technological and economic development.
