South Korea Fossil-Fuel CO₂ Emissions

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South Korea, or the Republic of Korea, is the world's ninth largest emitter of CO₂ based on 2006 fossil-fuel consumption with nearly 130 million metric tons of carbon. From 1946-1997 South Korea experienced phenomenal growth in fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions with a growth rate that averaged 11.5%. Initial growth in emissions was due to coal consumption, which still accounts for 42.8% of South Korea's fossil-fuel CO₂ emissions. Since the late 1960s oil consumption has been a major source of emissions. South Korea is the world's fourth largest importer of crude oil. Natural gas became a significant source of CO₂ for the first time in 1987, as South Korea increased imports of liquid natural gas. From 1997-98, South Korea's emissions fell 14% due mostly to declines in crude oil imports and reduced production of secondary petroleum fuels. Since 1998, fossil-fuel emissions have risen 27% reaching an all-time high of 135 million metric tons of carbon in 2004. Emissions from cement production are appreciable and now account for 5.8% of total emissions.