This article analyzes the relations between the energy intensity of the economy and the amount of pollutant emissions in the atmosphere. The authors reviewed the main global trends in the field of emissions of pollutants and energy intensity of the economy. The authors also determined the specifics of the Russian economy regarding the structure of energy consumption and the main directions of energy intensity reduction. The study analyzed key indicators of the energy intensity of the economy, the structure and dynamics of consumption of traditional fossil fuels and renewable energy sources. The problems of the growth of pollutant emissions in Russia were considered also. The authors analyzed the dynamics of the emission of pollutants by the main sources of pollution: industrial sectors and automobile transport. The article also analyzed the structure of the growth of pollutant emissions in industries (mining, manufacturing, production and distribution of electricity, gas and water), as well as in road transport. An important aspect in the field of improving the environmental efficiency of production and reducing emissions of pollutants in the atmosphere is the cost of protecting the environment. The main trends in changing the level of environmental protection costs in industrial sectors were identified. Based on the analysis, the authors made conclusions about the nature of the growth of pollutant emissions in industry and road transport based on the analysis.