Live estimate

United Kingdom CO₂ Emissions

The United Kingdom emitted 312.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.8% of the world total, the 18th most of 213 countries. That is 4.5 tonnes per person, close to the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by the United Kingdom in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 10 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

312.9 Mt

312.9 million tonnes

World rank

#18

of 213 countries

Share of world

0.8%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

4.5 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+1.7%

2023: 307.8 Mt

Historical share

4.3%

#5 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 45%. Emissions peaked in 1971 at 660.4 million tonnes and are now 53% lower.

200400600800

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	312.9
2023	307.8
2022	311.1
2021	342.4
2020	326.3
2019	364.8
2018	379.7
2017	387.4
2016	399.4
2015	422.5
2014	438.8
2013	477.6
2012	487.5
2011	469.7
2010	511.9
2009	494.1
2008	544.9
2007	559.6
2006	567.8
2005	570.3
2004	573.4
2003	571.6
2002	560.3
2001	578.0
2000	569.0

Where it comes from

Oil is the largest source of the United Kingdom’s CO₂, at 51%.

Coal5%16.9 Mt
Oil51%160 Mt
Gas40%127 Mt
Cement1%3.6 Mt
Flaring1%3.4 Mt
Other industry1%2.7 Mt

United Kingdom in context

0.85% vs 0.81%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

The United Kingdom is home to 0.85% of the world’s population and produces 0.81% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is smaller than its share of people.

−48%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 48% lower than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (601.9 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

487 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, the United Kingdom was responsible for 487.1 Mt in 2023, 58% more than the 307.8 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

162 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in the United Kingdom came with about 162 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a cleaner energy mix than the world average.

0.12 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.12 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), 59% 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 the United Kingdom compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
16	Australia	386.7 Mt	1.0%	14.5 t
17	Vietnam	370.9 Mt	1.0%	3.7 t
18	United Kingdom	312.9 Mt	0.8%	4.5 t
19	Italy	301.9 Mt	0.8%	5.1 t
20	Malaysia	290.2 Mt	0.8%	8.2 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does the United Kingdom emit?

The United Kingdom emitted 312.9 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.8% of global emissions. That is about 10 tonnes every second.

What are the United Kingdom’s CO₂ emissions per person?

The United Kingdom emits 4.5 tonnes per person, close to the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (69.1 million people in 2024).

Are the United Kingdom’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 45%. Emissions peaked in 1971 at 660.4 million tonnes and are now 53% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in the United Kingdom?

Oil is the largest source, at 51% of the United Kingdom’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (159.6 million tonnes).

What are the United Kingdom’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 487.1 million tonnes in 2023, 58% more than the 307.8 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 Kingdom contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, the United Kingdom has emitted about 80 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 4.3% of the world total, the 5th largest historical contribution.