CO₂ emissions · Europe · 2024 data
United Kingdom CO₂ Emissions
United Kingdom emitted 313 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 4.53 t per person — #18 of 213 countries and 0.81% of global emissions. That is close to the world average of 4.73 t per person. Emissions peaked in 1971 at 660 million tonnes and are now 53% lower.
CO₂ emissions of United Kingdom, 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 | 312.9 | 4.53 | +1.7% |
| 2023 | 307.8 | 4.48 | -1.1% |
| 2022 | 311.1 | 4.56 | -9.1% |
| 2021 | 342.4 | 5.06 | +4.9% |
| 2020 | 326.3 | 4.84 | -10.6% |
| 2019 | 364.8 | 5.44 | -3.9% |
| 2018 | 379.7 | 5.69 | -2.0% |
| 2017 | 387.4 | 5.84 | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 399.4 | 6.06 | -5.5% |
| 2015 | 422.5 | 6.46 | -3.7% |
| 2014 | 438.8 | 6.77 | -8.1% |
| 2013 | 477.6 | 7.42 | -2.0% |
| 2012 | 487.5 | 7.62 | +3.8% |
| 2011 | 469.7 | 7.40 | -8.2% |
| 2010 | 511.9 | 8.13 | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 494.1 | 7.91 | -9.3% |
| 2008 | 544.9 | 8.79 | -2.6% |
| 2007 | 559.6 | 9.09 | -1.5% |
| 2006 | 567.8 | 9.30 | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 570.3 | 9.41 | -0.5% |
| 2004 | 573.4 | 9.53 | +0.3% |
| 2003 | 571.6 | 9.56 | +2.0% |
| 2002 | 560.3 | 9.41 | -3.1% |
| 2001 | 578.0 | 9.75 | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 569.0 | 9.64 | +1.3% |
| 1999 | 561.7 | 9.55 | -1.2% |
| 1998 | 568.5 | 9.70 | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 562.7 | 9.63 | -4.1% |
| 1996 | 586.8 | 10.07 | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 566.2 | 9.74 | -1.4% |
| 1994 | 574.0 | 9.90 | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 579.6 | 10.02 | -2.4% |
| 1992 | 593.8 | 10.29 | -2.6% |
| 1991 | 609.4 | 10.59 | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 601.9 | 10.49 | +3.5% |
| 1989 | 581.6 | 10.17 | +2.0% |
| 1988 | 570.3 | 10.00 | -0.2% |
| 1987 | 571.6 | 10.05 | +0.5% |
| 1986 | 568.6 | 10.02 | +1.6% |
| 1985 | 559.6 | 9.89 | +5.8% |
| 1984 | 529.1 | 9.37 | -3.0% |
| 1983 | 545.5 | 9.68 | -0.5% |
| 1982 | 548.2 | 9.74 | -2.2% |
| 1981 | 560.5 | 9.96 | -3.2% |
| 1980 | 579.0 | 10.29 | -10.2% |
| 1979 | 644.5 | 11.46 | +6.6% |
| 1978 | 604.7 | 10.77 | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 604.4 | 10.76 | +1.0% |
| 1976 | 598.5 | 10.65 | -0.8% |
| 1975 | 603.3 | 10.73 | -2.3% |
| 1974 | 617.2 | 10.98 | -6.4% |
| 1973 | 659.6 | 11.74 | +1.8% |
| 1972 | 648.0 | 11.56 | -1.9% |
| 1971 | 660.4 | 11.82 | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 652.6 | 11.72 | +3.9% |
| 1969 | 628.4 | 11.33 | +3.6% |
| 1968 | 606.5 | 10.98 | +2.4% |
| 1967 | 592.1 | 10.77 | -4.2% |
| 1966 | 618.1 | 11.30 | -0.6% |
| 1965 | 622.1 | 11.45 | +2.3% |
| 1964 | 607.9 | 11.26 | +0.7% |
| 1963 | 603.4 | 11.25 | +1.8% |
| 1962 | 592.9 | 11.13 | +0.7% |
| 1961 | 588.6 | 11.13 | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 583.9 | 11.11 | +6.9% |
| 1959 | 546.4 | 10.46 | -1.7% |
| 1958 | 556.0 | 10.71 | -2.5% |
| 1957 | 570.2 | 11.04 | -0.6% |
| 1956 | 573.7 | 11.16 | -0.4% |
| 1955 | 576.1 | 11.26 | +4.4% |
| 1954 | 552.0 | 10.83 | +2.4% |
| 1953 | 539.1 | 10.63 | +2.2% |
| 1952 | 527.4 | 10.45 | -3.0% |
| 1951 | 543.8 | 10.80 | +8.9% |
| 1950 | 499.2 | 9.96 | -1.6% |
Where United Kingdom's CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source. Oil dominates — mostly transport fuel, so electrifying vehicles matters most here.
Per person: United Kingdom vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, United Kingdom's consumption-based footprint was 487 million tonnes (7.09 t per person) in 2023. United Kingdom is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 58% more CO₂ than it emits at home.
Primary energy use: 28,016 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in United Kingdom
How much CO₂ does United Kingdom emit?
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How much has United Kingdom 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.