Greenland CO₂ Emissions
Greenland emitted 619 thousand tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, less than 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 179th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 11.08 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Greenland emit?
Greenland produced 619 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Greenland accounts for less than 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 55,864, that is 11.08 tonnes per person, 2.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Greenland since 1990
Annual emissions in Greenland have changed by less than 1% since 1990, from 624 thousand tonnes to 619 thousand tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 23%. Emissions peaked in 1977 at 722 thousand tonnes and are now 14% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the only recorded source of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in Greenland.
How Greenland compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Greenland in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 177 | Antigua and Barbuda | 0.67 | <0.01% | 7.09 |
| 178 | Seychelles | 0.65 | <0.01% | 5.00 |
| 179 | Greenland | 0.62 | <0.01% | 11.08 |
| 180 | Cape Verde | 0.59 | <0.01% | 1.13 |
| 181 | Djibouti | 0.56 | <0.01% | 0.48 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Greenland has emitted about 35 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 Greenland emit per year?
Greenland emitted 619 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 Greenland?
About 11.08 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 2.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Greenland rising or falling?
They have risen by 23% over the last ten years and changed by less than 1% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1977 at 722 thousand tonnes and are now 14% 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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