CO₂ emissions · Oceania · 2024 data
New Zealand CO₂ Emissions
New Zealand emitted 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 6.23 t per person — #72 of 213 countries and 0.08% of global emissions. That is 1.3× the world average of 4.73 t per person. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 37.5 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.
CO₂ emissions of New Zealand, 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)
CO₂ emissions by year (table)
| Year | CO₂ (million t) | Per person (t) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 32.5 | 6.23 | +2.9% |
| 2023 | 31.6 | 6.10 | -1.3% |
| 2022 | 32.0 | 6.23 | -7.6% |
| 2021 | 34.6 | 6.77 | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 34.1 | 6.73 | -7.1% |
| 2019 | 36.7 | 7.36 | +2.9% |
| 2018 | 35.7 | 7.28 | +0.1% |
| 2017 | 35.7 | 7.41 | +4.5% |
| 2016 | 34.1 | 7.24 | -4.7% |
| 2015 | 35.8 | 7.76 | +1.1% |
| 2014 | 35.4 | 7.83 | +0.5% |
| 2013 | 35.2 | 7.91 | -1.9% |
| 2012 | 35.9 | 8.14 | +4.9% |
| 2011 | 34.2 | 7.81 | -1.6% |
| 2010 | 34.8 | 8.00 | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 34.6 | 8.04 | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 37.5 | 8.80 | +3.0% |
| 2007 | 36.4 | 8.62 | -2.5% |
| 2006 | 37.3 | 8.92 | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 37.4 | 9.05 | +4.5% |
| 2004 | 35.8 | 8.77 | -1.1% |
| 2003 | 36.2 | 9.00 | +4.9% |
| 2002 | 34.5 | 8.74 | +0.5% |
| 2001 | 34.4 | 8.83 | +6.6% |
| 2000 | 32.2 | 8.35 | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 31.4 | 8.20 | +5.4% |
| 1998 | 29.8 | 7.83 | -4.6% |
| 1997 | 31.3 | 8.28 | +6.7% |
| 1996 | 29.3 | 7.85 | +4.6% |
| 1995 | 28.0 | 7.62 | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 27.9 | 7.70 | +0.5% |
| 1993 | 27.7 | 7.76 | -1.4% |
| 1992 | 28.2 | 7.97 | +7.6% |
| 1991 | 26.2 | 7.52 | +2.7% |
| 1990 | 25.5 | 7.50 | +0.1% |
| 1989 | 25.5 | 7.64 | +0.0% |
| 1988 | 25.4 | 7.67 | +5.3% |
| 1987 | 24.2 | 7.32 | +5.3% |
| 1986 | 22.9 | 6.99 | +5.0% |
| 1985 | 21.9 | 6.69 | +13.0% |
| 1984 | 19.3 | 5.95 | +7.4% |
| 1983 | 18.0 | 5.59 | -1.5% |
| 1982 | 18.3 | 5.74 | +10.3% |
| 1981 | 16.6 | 5.24 | -5.3% |
| 1980 | 17.5 | 5.56 | +6.0% |
| 1979 | 16.5 | 5.25 | -8.5% |
| 1978 | 18.0 | 5.74 | -11.3% |
| 1977 | 20.3 | 6.47 | +5.5% |
| 1976 | 19.2 | 6.16 | +5.4% |
| 1975 | 18.3 | 5.91 | -2.6% |
| 1974 | 18.8 | 6.17 | +3.1% |
| 1973 | 18.2 | 6.11 | +12.4% |
| 1972 | 16.2 | 5.55 | +7.6% |
| 1971 | 15.0 | 5.25 | +6.1% |
| 1970 | 14.2 | 5.02 | -0.5% |
| 1969 | 14.3 | 5.12 | +5.8% |
| 1968 | 13.5 | 4.89 | -1.1% |
| 1967 | 13.6 | 5.00 | -2.7% |
| 1966 | 14.0 | 5.22 | +2.3% |
| 1965 | 13.7 | 5.19 | +4.5% |
| 1964 | 13.1 | 5.06 | +7.2% |
| 1963 | 12.2 | 4.81 | +9.1% |
| 1962 | 11.2 | 4.51 | -4.7% |
| 1961 | 11.8 | 4.84 | +1.9% |
| 1960 | 11.5 | 4.85 | +11.8% |
| 1959 | 10.3 | 4.42 | +1.4% |
| 1958 | 10.2 | 4.46 | -1.2% |
| 1957 | 10.3 | 4.61 | +6.5% |
| 1956 | 9.7 | 4.43 | +3.0% |
| 1955 | 9.4 | 4.39 | +3.5% |
| 1954 | 9.1 | 4.33 | +6.1% |
| 1953 | 8.6 | 4.18 | -8.3% |
| 1952 | 9.3 | 4.67 | +14.1% |
| 1951 | 8.2 | 4.19 | -4.7% |
| 1950 | 8.6 | 4.48 | +52.8% |
Where New Zealand's CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source. Oil dominates — mostly transport fuel, so electrifying vehicles matters most here.
Per person: New Zealand vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, New Zealand's consumption-based footprint was 41.4 million tonnes (8.00 t per person) in 2023. New Zealand is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 31% more CO₂ than it emits at home.
Primary energy use: 44,712 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in New Zealand
How much CO₂ does New Zealand emit?
What are New Zealand's CO₂ emissions per capita?
Are New Zealand's emissions going up or down?
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How much has New Zealand contributed to climate change historically?
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.