Live estimate

United Arab Emirates CO₂ Emissions

The United Arab Emirates emitted 222.0 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.6% of the world total, the 28th most of 213 countries. That is 20.1 tonnes per person, 4.3× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by the United Arab Emirates in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 7 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

222.0 Mt

222.0 million tonnes

World rank

#28

of 213 countries

Share of world

0.6%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

20.1 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+5.5%

2023: 210.4 Mt

Historical share

0.3%

#35 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 5.5% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 93%. Emissions peaked in 2016 at 227.9 million tonnes and are now 3% lower.

100200300

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	222.0
2023	210.4
2022	207.1
2021	212.2
2020	215.3
2019	204.1
2018	204.1
2017	196.5
2016	227.9
2015	225.0
2014	214.5
2013	214.2
2012	208.3
2011	198.5
2010	185.8
2009	169.1
2008	155.0
2007	134.1
2006	122.7
2005	115.3
2004	112.5
2003	107.1
2002	85.2
2001	101.9
2000	112.3

Where it comes from

Gas is the largest source of the United Arab Emirates’ CO₂, at 65%.

Coal2%4.3 Mt
Oil30%65.6 Mt
Gas65%144 Mt
Cement3%6.1 Mt
Flaring1%1.5 Mt

United Arab Emirates in context

0.14% vs 0.58%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

The United Arab Emirates is home to 0.14% of the world’s population and produces 0.58% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

+328%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 328% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (51.9 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

248 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, the United Arab Emirates was responsible for 248.1 Mt in 2023, 18% more than the 210.4 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

146 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in the United Arab Emirates came with about 146 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a much cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.27 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.27 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), close to 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 the United Arab Emirates compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
26	Egypt	258.4 Mt	0.7%	2.2 t
27	Iraq	233.6 Mt	0.6%	5.1 t
28	United Arab Emirates	222.0 Mt	0.6%	20.1 t
29	Spain	220.3 Mt	0.6%	4.6 t
30	Algeria	198.2 Mt	0.5%	4.2 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does the United Arab Emirates emit?

The United Arab Emirates emitted 222.0 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.6% of global emissions. That is about 7 tonnes every second.

What are the United Arab Emirates’ CO₂ emissions per person?

The United Arab Emirates emits 20.1 tonnes per person, 4.3× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (11.0 million people in 2024).

Are the United Arab Emirates’ CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 5.5% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 93%. Emissions peaked in 2016 at 227.9 million tonnes and are now 3% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in the United Arab Emirates?

Gas is the largest source, at 65% of the United Arab Emirates’ fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (144.5 million tonnes).

What are the United Arab Emirates’ consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 248.1 million tonnes in 2023, 18% more than the 210.4 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 the United Arab Emirates contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, the United Arab Emirates has emitted about 6 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 0.3% of the world total, the 35th largest historical contribution.