Live estimate

Japan CO₂ Emissions

Japan emitted 961.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 2.5% of the world total, the 5th most of 213 countries. That is 7.8 tonnes per person, 1.6× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by Japan in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 31 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

961.9 Mt

961.9 million tonnes

World rank

of 213 countries

Share of world

2.5%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

7.8 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

-2.5%

2023: 986.9 Mt

Historical share

3.8%

#6 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions fell 2.5% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 25%. Emissions peaked in 2013 at 1.31 billion tonnes and are now 27% lower.

5001,0001,500

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	961.9
2023	986.9
2022	1,029.6
2021	1,058.5
2020	1,037.3
2019	1,102.1
2018	1,138.5
2017	1,184.4
2016	1,199.9
2015	1,220.0
2014	1,260.3
2013	1,311.9
2012	1,302.1
2011	1,261.2
2010	1,211.1
2009	1,160.3
2008	1,228.7
2007	1,299.0
2006	1,263.4
2005	1,286.4
2004	1,279.1
2003	1,283.8
2002	1,275.4
2001	1,245.9
2000	1,260.2

Where it comes from

Coal is the largest source of Japan’s CO₂, at 40%.

Coal40%381 Mt
Oil37%354 Mt
Gas20%195 Mt
Cement2%20.3 Mt
Flaring0%0.3 Mt
Other industry1%11.4 Mt

Japan in context

1.5% vs 2.5%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

Japan is home to 1.5% of the world’s population and produces 2.5% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

−17%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 17% lower than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (1,154.9 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

1,142 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, Japan was responsible for 1,142.3 Mt in 2023, 16% more than the 986.9 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

201 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in Japan came with about 201 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.22 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.22 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 25% below the world average of 0.29 kg.

Figures from Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project; latest year available for each measure.

How Japan compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
3	India	3.19 Gt	8.3%	2.2 t
4	Russia	1.78 Gt	4.6%	12.3 t
5	Japan	961.9 Mt	2.5%	7.8 t
6	Indonesia	812.2 Mt	2.1%	2.9 t
7	Iran	792.6 Mt	2.0%	8.7 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does Japan emit?

Japan emitted 961.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 2.5% of global emissions. That is about 31 tonnes every second.

What are Japan’s CO₂ emissions per person?

Japan emits 7.8 tonnes per person, 1.6× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (123.8 million people in 2024).

Are Japan’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions fell 2.5% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 25%. Emissions peaked in 2013 at 1.31 billion tonnes and are now 27% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in Japan?

Coal is the largest source, at 40% of Japan’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (381.0 million tonnes).

What are Japan’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 1,142.3 million tonnes in 2023, 16% more than the 986.9 million tonnes emitted within its borders, because it imports more carbon-intensive goods than it exports. Consumption-based accounting adds the emissions embodied in imports and subtracts those in exports.

How much has Japan contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, Japan has emitted about 70 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 3.8% of the world total, the 6th largest historical contribution.