COP26 brings focus on climate change again, but where do the biggest polluters stand?

As the COP26 summit in Glasgow brought focus on climate change, let us look at the world's biggest polluters and their contribution to global warming.

Every second the world emits 1,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2), almost 70 times higher than the pre-industrial era of 1850-1900. CO2 is responsible for nearly three-quarters of global warming.

In absolute terms, China is the biggest polluter, followed by the United States. China, US and European Union (excluding the United Kingdom) at present emit over half of the world's 36.44 gigatons of CO2. India with around 17 per cent of the world population contributes only 7 per cent.