Research Identifies Shanghai as Top Polluter

A new report released at the United Nations climate talks in Baku reveals that cities in Asia and the United States are the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, with Shanghai topping the list at 256 million metric tons annually. The study, conducted by Climate Trace—a group co-founded by Al Gore—utilized satellite and AI technology to analyze emissions from over 9,000 urban areas. Seven states or provinces, all in China except Texas, emit over 1 billion metric tons of greenhouse gases each year. The data shows global emissions of carbon dioxide and methane have risen by 0.7%, reaching 61.2 billion metric tons. Notably, emissions from Tokyo and New York City also rank significantly, with Tokyo's pollution levels comparable to those of entire nations. As nations negotiate new targets for emission reduction, the urgency for sustainable practices becomes increasingly critical.