Live estimate

South Africa CO₂ Emissions

South Africa emitted 439.8 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 1.1% of the world total, the 15th most of 213 countries. That is 6.9 tonnes per person, 1.5× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by South Africa in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 14 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

439.8 Mt

439.8 million tonnes

World rank

#15

of 213 countries

Share of world

1.1%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

6.9 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+0.7%

2023: 436.6 Mt

Historical share

1.2%

#13 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 0.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 6%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 494.7 million tonnes and are now 11% lower.

200400600

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	439.8
2023	436.6
2022	428.8
2021	439.5
2020	435.3
2019	470.7
2018	453.8
2017	440.0
2016	457.1
2015	457.5
2014	481.6
2013	456.2
2012	461.4
2011	474.3
2010	467.4
2009	474.5
2008	494.7
2007	465.0
2006	446.7
2005	416.2
2004	449.3
2003	404.4
2002	356.5
2001	371.6
2000	378.3

Where it comes from

Coal is the largest source of South Africa’s CO₂, at 84%.

Coal84%371 Mt
Oil13%55.1 Mt
Gas2%7.7 Mt
Cement1%5.6 Mt

South Africa in context

0.78% vs 1.1%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

South Africa is home to 0.78% of the world’s population and produces 1.1% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

+41%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 41% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (312.9 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

325 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, South Africa was responsible for 325.4 Mt in 2023, 25% less than the 436.6 Mt produced at home: part of its output is consumed elsewhere.

323 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in South Africa came with about 323 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a much more fossil-heavy energy mix than the world average.

0.59 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.59 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 2.1× 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 South Africa compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
13	Brazil	483.0 Mt	1.2%	2.3 t
14	Mexico	461.0 Mt	1.2%	3.5 t
15	South Africa	439.8 Mt	1.1%	6.9 t
16	Australia	386.7 Mt	1.0%	14.5 t
17	Vietnam	370.9 Mt	1.0%	3.7 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does South Africa emit?

South Africa emitted 439.8 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 1.1% of global emissions. That is about 14 tonnes every second.

What are South Africa’s CO₂ emissions per person?

South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes per person, 1.5× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (64.0 million people in 2024).

Are South Africa’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 0.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 6%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 494.7 million tonnes and are now 11% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in South Africa?

Coal is the largest source, at 84% of South Africa’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (371.4 million tonnes).

What are South Africa’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 325.4 million tonnes in 2023, 25% less than the 436.6 million tonnes emitted within its borders, because part of what it produces is exported and consumed in other countries. Consumption-based accounting adds the emissions embodied in imports and subtracts those in exports.

How much has South Africa contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, South Africa has emitted about 23 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 1.2% of the world total, the 13th largest historical contribution.