CO₂ emissions · Africa · 2024 data
South Africa CO₂ Emissions
South Africa emitted 440 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 6.87 t per person — #15 of 213 countries and 1.14% of global emissions. That is 1.5× the world average of 4.73 t per person. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 495 million tonnes and are now 11% lower.
CO₂ emissions of South Africa, 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 | 439.8 | 6.87 | +0.7% |
| 2023 | 436.6 | 6.91 | +1.8% |
| 2022 | 428.8 | 6.87 | -2.4% |
| 2021 | 439.5 | 7.15 | +1.0% |
| 2020 | 435.3 | 7.19 | -7.5% |
| 2019 | 470.7 | 7.90 | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 453.8 | 7.74 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 440.0 | 7.63 | -3.7% |
| 2016 | 457.1 | 7.98 | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 457.5 | 8.07 | -5.0% |
| 2014 | 481.6 | 8.66 | +5.6% |
| 2013 | 456.2 | 8.34 | -1.1% |
| 2012 | 461.4 | 8.58 | -2.7% |
| 2011 | 474.3 | 8.95 | +1.5% |
| 2010 | 467.4 | 8.93 | -1.5% |
| 2009 | 474.5 | 9.17 | -4.1% |
| 2008 | 494.7 | 9.68 | +6.4% |
| 2007 | 465.0 | 9.20 | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 446.7 | 8.94 | +7.3% |
| 2005 | 416.2 | 8.41 | -7.4% |
| 2004 | 449.3 | 9.17 | +11.1% |
| 2003 | 404.4 | 8.34 | +13.4% |
| 2002 | 356.5 | 7.42 | -4.1% |
| 2001 | 371.6 | 7.81 | -1.8% |
| 2000 | 378.3 | 8.02 | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 374.9 | 8.02 | -0.6% |
| 1998 | 377.3 | 8.16 | -2.1% |
| 1997 | 385.2 | 8.44 | +5.9% |
| 1996 | 363.7 | 8.06 | +0.6% |
| 1995 | 361.7 | 8.12 | +6.8% |
| 1994 | 338.7 | 7.70 | +5.7% |
| 1993 | 320.4 | 7.40 | +6.3% |
| 1992 | 301.3 | 7.10 | -7.6% |
| 1991 | 326.0 | 7.82 | +4.2% |
| 1990 | 312.9 | 7.68 | -8.2% |
| 1989 | 340.7 | 8.60 | -0.6% |
| 1988 | 342.7 | 8.91 | +4.3% |
| 1987 | 328.7 | 8.81 | -0.6% |
| 1986 | 330.5 | 9.14 | +2.0% |
| 1985 | 323.9 | 9.24 | +2.6% |
| 1984 | 315.6 | 9.31 | +8.1% |
| 1983 | 291.9 | 8.92 | +4.1% |
| 1982 | 280.4 | 8.87 | +9.1% |
| 1981 | 257.1 | 8.42 | +12.7% |
| 1980 | 228.2 | 7.73 | +4.4% |
| 1979 | 218.7 | 7.64 | +8.3% |
| 1978 | 201.9 | 7.24 | +1.1% |
| 1977 | 199.7 | 7.37 | +3.5% |
| 1976 | 192.9 | 7.31 | +4.3% |
| 1975 | 185.0 | 7.20 | +4.8% |
| 1974 | 176.5 | 7.07 | +1.8% |
| 1973 | 173.4 | 7.14 | +1.0% |
| 1972 | 171.6 | 7.27 | +1.9% |
| 1971 | 168.4 | 7.34 | +12.6% |
| 1970 | 149.6 | 6.72 | +4.5% |
| 1969 | 143.1 | 6.62 | +3.8% |
| 1968 | 138.0 | 6.58 | +3.1% |
| 1967 | 133.8 | 6.59 | +4.3% |
| 1966 | 128.2 | 6.51 | +0.1% |
| 1965 | 128.1 | 6.71 | +7.2% |
| 1964 | 119.5 | 6.46 | +9.0% |
| 1963 | 109.7 | 6.11 | +3.8% |
| 1962 | 105.7 | 6.07 | +3.5% |
| 1961 | 102.1 | 6.04 | +4.4% |
| 1960 | 97.8 | 5.95 | +3.6% |
| 1959 | 94.5 | 5.90 | -1.8% |
| 1958 | 96.3 | 6.16 | +7.4% |
| 1957 | 89.6 | 5.88 | +2.7% |
| 1956 | 87.3 | 5.86 | +5.2% |
| 1955 | 82.9 | 5.71 | +12.2% |
| 1954 | 73.9 | 5.20 | +4.1% |
| 1953 | 71.0 | 5.11 | +0.2% |
| 1952 | 70.8 | 5.21 | +8.9% |
| 1951 | 65.1 | 4.89 | +6.8% |
| 1950 | 60.9 | 4.67 | +0.5% |
Where South Africa's CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source. A coal-heavy mix means power generation is the main lever for cutting emissions.
Per person: South Africa vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, South Africa's consumption-based footprint was 325 million tonnes (5.15 t per person) in 2023. South Africa is a net exporter of emissions: 25% of what it emits goes into goods consumed abroad.
Primary energy use: 21,287 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in South Africa
How much CO₂ does South Africa emit?
What are South Africa's CO₂ emissions per capita?
Are South Africa's emissions going up or down?
What is the main source of CO₂ in South Africa?
How much has South Africa 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.