Among environmental activists the United States is:

Commonly vilified for being a major source of greenhouse gas emissions (true, although we’re behind China).

Holding up international climate treaties (true).

Being a font of climate change skepticism (true).

With that being said, would it surprise you to know what country has had the greatest reductions in carbon dioxide emissions since 2006, a year after the Kyoto Protocol went into effect?

The good ‘ol United States, which refused to ratify the treaty. From a recent International Energy Agency report:

CO2 emissions in the United States in 2011 fell by 92 Mt, or 1.7%, primarily due to ongoing switching from coal to natural gas in power generation and an exceptionally mild winter, which reduced the demand for space heating. US emissions have now fallen by 430 Mt (7.7%) since 2006, the largest reduction of all countries or regions. This development has arisen from lower oil use in the transport sector (linked to efficiency improvements, higher oil prices and the economic downturn which has cut vehicle miles travelled) and a substantial shift from coal to gas in the power sector.

Unless I’ve missed it, which is possible, there hasn’t been a ton of coverage of this. For climate activists, it doesn’t fit within the narrative that America’s climate position is evil and we’re addicted to coal. Skeptics don’t care: Many believe carbon dioxide doesn’t matter.

Me, I think it’s pretty cool.