Live estimate

New Zealand CO₂ Emissions

New Zealand emitted 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.1% of the world total, the 72nd most of 213 countries. That is 6.2 tonnes per person, 1.3× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by New Zealand in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 1 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

32.5 Mt

32.5 million tonnes

World rank

#72

of 213 countries

Share of world

0.1%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

6.2 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+2.8%

2023: 31.6 Mt

Historical share

0.1%

#69 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 2.8% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 13%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 37.5 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.

2040

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	32.5
2023	31.6
2022	32.0
2021	34.6
2020	34.1
2019	36.7
2018	35.7
2017	35.7
2016	34.1
2015	35.8
2014	35.4
2013	35.2
2012	35.9
2011	34.2
2010	34.8
2009	34.6
2008	37.5
2007	36.4
2006	37.3
2005	37.4
2004	35.8
2003	36.2
2002	34.5
2001	34.4
2000	32.2

Where it comes from

Oil is the largest source of New Zealand’s CO₂, at 58%.

Coal18%5.9 Mt
Oil58%18.9 Mt
Gas18%5.9 Mt
Cement1%0.4 Mt
Flaring3%1.0 Mt
Other industry2%0.5 Mt

New Zealand in context

0.06% vs 0.08%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

New Zealand is home to 0.06% of the world’s population and produces 0.08% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

+27%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 27% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (25.5 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

41 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, New Zealand was responsible for 41.4 Mt in 2023, 31% more than the 31.6 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

139 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in New Zealand came with about 139 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a much cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.16 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.16 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 45% 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 New Zealand compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
70	Dominican Republic	33.1 Mt	0.1%	2.9 t
71	Tunisia	32.7 Mt	0.1%	2.7 t
72	New Zealand	32.5 Mt	0.1%	6.2 t
73	Switzerland	32.1 Mt	0.1%	3.6 t
74	Syria	31.8 Mt	0.1%	1.3 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does New Zealand emit?

New Zealand emitted 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.1% of global emissions. That is about 1 tonnes every second.

What are New Zealand’s CO₂ emissions per person?

New Zealand emits 6.2 tonnes per person, 1.3× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (5.2 million people in 2024).

Are New Zealand’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 2.8% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 13%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 37.5 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in New Zealand?

Oil is the largest source, at 58% of New Zealand’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (18.9 million tonnes).

What are New Zealand’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 41.4 million tonnes in 2023, 31% more than the 31.6 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 New Zealand contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, New Zealand has emitted about 2 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 0.1% of the world total, the 69th largest historical contribution.