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CO₂ emissions · Europe · 2024 data

Flag of IrelandIreland CO₂ Emissions

Ireland emitted 33.3 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 6.34 t per person — #69 of 213 countries and 0.09% of global emissions. That is 1.3× the world average of 4.73 t per person. Emissions peaked in 2005 at 48.2 million tonnes and are now 31% lower.

33.3 Mt
CO₂ in 2024 · #69
6.34 t
Per person · #45 (world 4.73 t)
0.09%
Share of world CO₂
-0.8%
Change vs 2023

CO₂ emissions of Ireland, 1950–2024

Million tonnes of CO₂ per year · fossil fuels and industry, excluding land use · Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0)

2005
Peak year (48.2 Mt)
+1%
Since 1990
−31%
Since 2005
2.37 Gt
Emitted in total · #64
CO₂ emissions by year (table)
YearCO₂ (million t)Per person (t)Change
202433.36.34-0.8%
202333.66.46-8.5%
202236.77.18-2.1%
202137.57.45+6.9%
202035.17.04-5.8%
201937.27.54-4.4%
201838.97.99-0.3%
201739.08.12-3.3%
201640.48.49+4.3%
201538.78.23+5.1%
201436.97.91-1.2%
201337.38.06-2.5%
201238.28.31+0.4%
201138.18.31-8.9%
201041.89.17-0.9%
200942.29.30-10.9%
200847.410.56-0.6%
200747.710.85+0.1%
200647.611.15-1.2%
200548.211.59+4.3%
200446.211.35+1.1%
200345.711.44-0.9%
200246.111.73-3.2%
200147.612.32+5.2%
200045.311.90+6.6%
199942.411.31+4.3%
199840.710.97+4.9%
199738.810.57+3.6%
199637.510.30+4.5%
199535.99.93+2.9%
199434.89.70+3.3%
199333.79.43+0.7%
199233.59.41-0.5%
199133.79.53+2.2%
199032.99.38+9.6%
198930.18.56+0.6%
198829.98.48-1.1%
198730.28.54+5.9%
198628.68.06+6.7%
198526.77.57+4.7%
198425.57.27-0.7%
198325.77.36+0.6%
198225.67.36-1.9%
198126.17.56-0.8%
198026.37.69-4.1%
197927.48.12+16.2%
197823.67.08+0.0%
197723.67.19+5.7%
197622.36.90+1.1%
197522.16.93-5.3%
197423.37.44+2.0%
197322.87.41+3.7%
197222.07.26-2.0%
197122.57.51+15.9%
197019.46.55+4.8%
196918.56.29+3.9%
196817.86.09+8.6%
196716.45.64+8.6%
196615.15.23+10.0%
196513.74.77-3.5%
196414.24.98+5.7%
196313.44.73+2.6%
196213.14.63+6.1%
196112.44.37+10.6%
196011.23.95-9.3%
195912.34.34+37.5%
19589.03.14-7.8%
19579.73.39-11.0%
195610.93.79-6.8%
195511.74.04+28.8%
19549.13.12-4.6%
19539.53.26-0.9%
19529.63.27-8.4%
195110.53.58+8.0%
19509.73.34+16.5%

Where Ireland's CO₂ comes from

Oil
56% · 18.7 Mt
Gas
31% · 10.3 Mt
Coal
6% · 1.9 Mt
Cement
6% · 1.8 Mt
Other industry
2% · 593 kt

Oil is the largest source. Oil dominates — mostly transport fuel, so electrifying vehicles matters most here.

Per person: Ireland vs the world

#45Flag of Ireland
Ireland
6.34 t
World average
4.73 t

Production vs consumption

Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, Ireland's consumption-based footprint was 40.8 million tonnes (7.86 t per person) in 2023. Ireland is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 22% more CO₂ than it emits at home.

Primary energy use: 34,594 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).

All greenhouse gases (2024)

CO₂ from fossil fuels & industry
33.3 Mt
CO₂ from land use & forests
-336 kt
Methane (CH₄)
17.6 Mt
Nitrous oxide (N₂O)
8.7 Mt
Total: 60.2 million tonnes CO₂-equivalent (11.5 t per person). Negative land-use CO₂ means forests absorb more than is cleared. · 0.06% of global warming to date.

Ireland and its neighbours — CO₂ per person

#45Flag of Ireland
Ireland
6.34 t

Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in Ireland

How much CO₂ does Ireland emit?

Ireland emitted 33.3 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 6.34 t per person — #69 of 213 countries and 0.09% of global emissions.

What are Ireland's CO₂ emissions per capita?

About 6.34 t of CO₂ per person in 2024 (#45 of 212). That is 1.3× the world average of 4.73 t per person.

Are Ireland's emissions going up or down?

Emissions peaked in 2005 at 48.2 million tonnes and are now 31% lower. Compared with 1990 they are 1% higher, and compared with 2005 31% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ in Ireland?

Oil, with 56% of fossil and industrial CO₂ (18.7 million tonnes).

How much has Ireland contributed to climate change historically?

Since records begin, Ireland has emitted 2.37 billion tonnes of CO₂ — 0.13% of the world total (#64). Its greenhouse gases have warmed the planet by about 0.001 °C.

Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Budget and Jones et al. (CC BY 4.0). CO₂ figures cover fossil fuels and industry (territorial), excluding land-use change unless stated.