Live estimate

Zambia CO₂ Emissions

Zambia emitted 12.0 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.0% of the world total, the 105th most of 213 countries. That is 0.6 tonnes per person, 88% below the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by Zambia in 2026 so far

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

CO₂ in 2024

12.0 Mt

12.0 million tonnes

World rank

#105

of 213 countries

Share of world

0.0%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

0.6 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+1.7%

2023: 11.8 Mt

Historical share

0.0%

#118 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 445%. 2024 was the highest year on record.

51015

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	12.0
2023	11.8
2022	10.9
2021	9.3
2020	10.0
2019	8.8
2018	8.7
2017	7.5
2016	6.0
2015	5.5
2014	5.3
2013	4.4
2012	4.2
2011	3.4
2010	3.1
2009	2.9
2008	2.6
2007	2.3
2006	2.2
2005	2.2
2004	2.1
2003	2.1
2002	2.0
2001	1.9
2000	1.8

Where it comes from

Coal is the largest source of Zambia’s CO₂, at 50%.

Coal50%6.0 Mt
Oil43%5.2 Mt
Cement7%0.9 Mt

Zambia in context

0.26% vs 0.03%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

Zambia is home to 0.26% of the world’s population and produces 0.03% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is smaller than its share of people.

+400%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 400% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (2.4 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

13 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, Zambia was responsible for 12.7 Mt in 2023, 8% more than the 11.8 Mt produced at home: it is a net importer of emissions.

236 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in Zambia came with about 236 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to a more fossil-heavy 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), 44% 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 Zambia compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
103	Lithuania	12.5 Mt	0.0%	4.4 t
104	Brunei	12.1 Mt	0.0%	26.1 t
105	Zambia	12.0 Mt	0.0%	0.6 t
106	Georgia	11.8 Mt	0.0%	3.1 t
107	Kyrgyzstan	11.8 Mt	0.0%	1.6 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does Zambia emit?

Zambia emitted 12.0 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.0% of global emissions. That is about 0 tonnes every second.

What are Zambia’s CO₂ emissions per person?

Zambia emits 0.6 tonnes per person, 88% below the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (21.3 million people in 2024).

Are Zambia’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 1.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 445%. 2024 was the highest year on record.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in Zambia?

Coal is the largest source, at 50% of Zambia’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (6.0 million tonnes).

What are Zambia’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 12.7 million tonnes in 2023, 8% more than the 11.8 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 Zambia contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, Zambia has emitted about 0 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 0.0% of the world total, the 118th largest historical contribution.