It is reported that China’s carbon emissions are now well ahead of the US. Recent figures reveal China is now the world’s largest producer of the claimed global warming gas. The statistics reveal that Chinese produced carbon dioxide pollution increased by 8% in 2007 and was responsible for two-thirds of the year’s total increase in global CO2 emissions, according to experts at the Netherlands Environmental Assessment.

It is claimed that cement production, needed to meet China’s demand for infrastructure, to support its booming economy, was a significant factor. Indeed, half of all global cement production now takes place in China, and the industry is responsible for a fifth of Chinese CO2. Rebuilding roads and homes after the Sichuan province earthquake is expected to increase demand further.

According to the published figures, China is now responsible for 24% of global carbon dioxide emissions, followed by the US with 22%. The EU produces 12%, India 8% and the Russian Federation 6%.

On a “per head of population” basis, China lags far behind the US, which remains the biggest polluter per person by a large margin. Whilst US citizens produce an average of 19.4 tonnes of CO2 each year - those in China produce just 5.1 tonnes each. The figures also show that iRussians produce 11.8 tonnes each, the agency says, with the figure for the EU at 8.6 tonnes, and India just 1.8 tonnes per person.

The Dutch research team used new data on worldwide energy consumption and cement production in 2007 prepared by the oil giant BP. Last year, the same team surprised analysts when it said that China had already overtaken the US as chief producer of CO2.