CO₂ emissions · Africa · 2024 data
Zambia CO₂ Emissions
Zambia emitted 12.0 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, or 0.57 t per person — #105 of 213 countries and 0.03% of global emissions. That is 12% of the world average of 4.73 t per person. Over the past ten years emissions rose by 128%.
CO₂ emissions of Zambia, 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 | 12.0 | 0.57 | +1.8% |
| 2023 | 11.8 | 0.57 | +8.2% |
| 2022 | 10.9 | 0.54 | +17.0% |
| 2021 | 9.4 | 0.48 | -6.4% |
| 2020 | 10.0 | 0.52 | +12.9% |
| 2019 | 8.8 | 0.48 | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 8.7 | 0.48 | +16.1% |
| 2017 | 7.5 | 0.43 | +24.8% |
| 2016 | 6.0 | 0.35 | +8.3% |
| 2015 | 5.5 | 0.34 | +4.5% |
| 2014 | 5.3 | 0.33 | +19.3% |
| 2013 | 4.4 | 0.29 | +6.0% |
| 2012 | 4.2 | 0.28 | +23.6% |
| 2011 | 3.4 | 0.23 | +8.3% |
| 2010 | 3.1 | 0.22 | +6.2% |
| 2009 | 2.9 | 0.22 | +15.2% |
| 2008 | 2.6 | 0.20 | +11.1% |
| 2007 | 2.3 | 0.18 | +3.0% |
| 2006 | 2.2 | 0.18 | -0.5% |
| 2005 | 2.2 | 0.19 | +6.6% |
| 2004 | 2.1 | 0.19 | +1.4% |
| 2003 | 2.1 | 0.19 | +5.8% |
| 2002 | 2.0 | 0.18 | +4.0% |
| 2001 | 1.9 | 0.18 | +5.7% |
| 2000 | 1.8 | 0.18 | +0.3% |
| 1999 | 1.8 | 0.18 | -21.9% |
| 1998 | 2.3 | 0.24 | -3.2% |
| 1997 | 2.4 | 0.26 | +28.1% |
| 1996 | 1.8 | 0.20 | -14.2% |
| 1995 | 2.1 | 0.24 | -10.5% |
| 1994 | 2.4 | 0.28 | -3.0% |
| 1993 | 2.5 | 0.29 | +1.7% |
| 1992 | 2.4 | 0.30 | +1.8% |
| 1991 | 2.4 | 0.30 | -1.0% |
| 1990 | 2.4 | 0.31 | -6.3% |
| 1989 | 2.6 | 0.34 | -17.3% |
| 1988 | 3.1 | 0.42 | +16.3% |
| 1987 | 2.7 | 0.37 | -6.7% |
| 1986 | 2.9 | 0.41 | +4.9% |
| 1985 | 2.7 | 0.40 | -2.5% |
| 1984 | 2.8 | 0.43 | -14.0% |
| 1983 | 3.3 | 0.51 | -7.1% |
| 1982 | 3.5 | 0.57 | +4.6% |
| 1981 | 3.4 | 0.56 | -4.7% |
| 1980 | 3.5 | 0.61 | -2.0% |
| 1979 | 3.6 | 0.64 | +3.6% |
| 1978 | 3.5 | 0.64 | -7.1% |
| 1977 | 3.7 | 0.70 | -7.1% |
| 1976 | 4.0 | 0.78 | -1.4% |
| 1975 | 4.1 | 0.82 | -2.9% |
| 1974 | 4.2 | 0.87 | -8.5% |
| 1973 | 4.6 | 0.98 | +12.9% |
| 1972 | 4.1 | 0.89 | +7.2% |
| 1971 | 3.8 | 0.85 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 3.8 | 0.87 | -11.8% |
| 1969 | 4.3 | 1.02 | -6.5% |
| 1968 | 4.6 | 1.12 | -4.6% |
| 1967 | 4.8 | 1.22 | +36.9% |
| 1966 | 3.5 | 0.92 | -10.6% |
| 1965 | 3.9 | 1.06 | +19.5% |
| 1964 | 3.3 | 0.92 | -4.9% |
| 1963 | 3.4 | 0.99 | -3.9% |
| 1962 | 3.6 | 1.07 | -3.4% |
| 1961 | 3.7 | 1.14 | -14.8% |
| 1960 | 4.4 | 1.38 | -4.7% |
| 1959 | 4.6 | 1.49 | +11.6% |
| 1958 | 4.1 | 1.38 | -10.7% |
| 1957 | 4.6 | 1.60 | +2.9% |
| 1956 | 4.5 | 1.60 | +9.0% |
| 1955 | 4.1 | 1.51 | +17.9% |
| 1954 | 3.5 | 1.32 | +10.0% |
| 1953 | 3.2 | 1.24 | +9.0% |
| 1952 | 2.9 | 1.17 | +12.5% |
| 1951 | 2.6 | 1.07 | +10.3% |
| 1950 | 2.3 | 1.00 | — |
Where Zambia'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: Zambia vs the world
Production vs consumption
Counting the CO₂ embedded in the goods it imports and exports, Zambia's consumption-based footprint was 12.7 million tonnes (0.61 t per person) in 2023. Zambia is a net importer of emissions: its consumption causes 7% more CO₂ than it emits at home.
Primary energy use: 2,391 kWh per person (world 21,654 kWh).
All greenhouse gases (2024)
Frequently asked questions about CO₂ emissions in Zambia
How much CO₂ does Zambia emit?
What are Zambia's CO₂ emissions per capita?
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How much has Zambia 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.