The Global Carbon Project, a joint international project on the global carbon cycle reports China is now the world's biggest polluter, accounting for 60 percent of all growth in emissions. Currently, more than half of global emissions come from less developed or developing countries.

The authors of the report said the efficiency of oceans, forests and other carbon dioxide 'sinks' in removing CO2 has decreased over the past 50 years. The rapid rise in emissions so far this decade is unprecedented and disastrous changes to the climate may be unavoidable.

GHG emissions from wealthy nations dipped in 2006, the first time in five years. A Reuters survey of industrialized nations indicates emissions fell to the equivalent of 18.01 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from 18.03 billion in 2005. Rising oil prices are seen as a factor.