Botswana CO₂ Emissions
Botswana emitted 7.5 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.02% of the global total. That ranks it 121st of 213 countries and territories and works out at 2.96 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Botswana emit?
Botswana produced 7.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Botswana accounts for 0.02% of it.
With a population of about 2.5 million, that is 2.96 tonnes per person, 37% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Botswana since 1990
Annual emissions in Botswana have risen by 176% since 1990, from 2.7 million tonnes to 7.5 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 9%. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 7.6 million tonnes and are now 2% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in Botswana, at about 58% of the total, followed by oil at 41%.
How Botswana compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Botswana in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 119 | Uruguay | 7.97 | 0.02% | 2.35 |
| 120 | Paraguay | 7.94 | 0.02% | 1.15 |
| 121 | Botswana | 7.46 | 0.02% | 2.96 |
| 122 | Armenia | 7.43 | 0.02% | 2.50 |
| 123 | Cyprus | 7.30 | 0.02% | 5.37 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Botswana has emitted about 184 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.02% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Botswana emit per year?
Botswana emitted 7.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.02% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Botswana?
About 2.96 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 37% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Botswana rising or falling?
They have risen by 9% over the last ten years and risen by 176% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2018 at 7.6 million tonnes and are now 2% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Botswana?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 58% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 41%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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