China’s emissions of carbon dioxide have exceeded those of the U.S., according to a report released this week by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, The Chicago Tribune writes.

The study estimated that surging power demand from China’s rapidly expanding economy caused carbon dioxide emissions to rise nine percent in 2006. That increase, coupled with a slight decline in the U.S., meant that China’s emissions for the year surpassed those of the U.S. by eight percent, the Dutch report said.