Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is one of the most important gases in the atmosphere, and is necessary for sustaining life on Earth. It is also considered to be a major greenhouse gas contributing to global warming and climate change. In this article, energy consumption in Bangladesh is analyzed and estimates are made of CO₂ emission from combustion of fossil fuel (coal, gas, petroleum products) for the period 1977 to 1995. International Panel for Climate Change guidelines for national greenhouse gas inventories were used in estimating CO₂ emission. An analysis of energy data shows that the consumption of fossil fuels in Bangladesh is growing by more than 5% per year. The proportion of natural gas in total energy consumption is increasing, while that of petroleum products and coal is decreasing. The estimated total CO₂ release from all primary fossil fuels used in Bangladesh amounted to 5072 Gigagram (Gg) in 1977, and 14 423 Gg in 1995. The total amounts of CO₂ released from petroleum products, natural gas, and coal in the period 1977–1995 were 83 026 Gg (50% of CO₂ emission), 72 541 Gg (44% of CO₂ emission), and 9545 Gg (6% CO₂ emission), respectively. A trend in CO₂ emission with projections to 2070 is generated. In 2070, total estimated CO₂ emission will be 293 260 Gg with a current growth rate of 6.34% y⁻¹. CO₂ emission from fossil fuels is increasing. Petroleum products contribute the majority of CO₂ emission load, and although the use of natural gas is increasing rapidly, its contribution to CO₂ emission is less than that of petroleum products. The use of coal as well as CO₂ emission from coal is expected to gradually decrease.