Cook Islands CO₂ Emissions
The Cook Islands emitted 80 thousand tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, less than 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 205th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 5.82 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does the Cook Islands emit?
The Cook Islands produced 80 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so the Cook Islands accounts for less than 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 13,750, that is 5.82 tonnes per person, 1.2 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in the Cook Islands since 1990
Annual emissions in the Cook Islands have risen by 100% since 1990, from 40 thousand tonnes to 80 thousand tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 1%. Emissions peaked in 2012 at 81 thousand tonnes and are now 1% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the only recorded source of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in the Cook Islands.
How the Cook Islands compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to the Cook Islands in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 203 | Sao Tome and Principe | 0.14 | <0.01% | 0.60 |
| 204 | Liechtenstein | 0.13 | <0.01% | 3.30 |
| 205 | Cook Islands | 0.08 | <0.01% | 5.82 |
| 206 | Kiribati | 0.07 | <0.01% | 0.54 |
| 207 | Nauru | 0.06 | <0.01% | 5.13 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, the Cook Islands has emitted about 3 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is less than 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with less than 0.01% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does the Cook Islands emit per year?
The Cook Islands emitted 80 thousand tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is less than 0.01% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in the Cook Islands?
About 5.82 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 1.2 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in the Cook Islands rising or falling?
They have fallen by 1% over the last ten years and risen by 100% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2012 at 81 thousand tonnes and are now 1% below that level.
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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