Hong Kong CO₂ Emissions
Hong Kong emitted 33 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.09% of the global total. That ranks it 68th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 4.49 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Hong Kong emit?
Hong Kong produced 33 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Hong Kong accounts for 0.09% of it.
With a population of about 7.4 million, that is 4.49 tonnes per person, close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Hong Kong since 1990
Annual emissions in Hong Kong have risen by 23% since 1990, from 27 million tonnes to 33 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 27%. Emissions peaked in 2014 at 45 million tonnes and are now 27% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in Hong Kong, at about 34% of the total, followed by gas at 33% and oil at 31%.
How Hong Kong compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Hong Kong in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 66 | Portugal | 35.54 | 0.09% | 3.41 |
| 67 | Trinidad and Tobago | 34.58 | 0.09% | 22.93 |
| 68 | Hong Kong | 33.32 | 0.09% | 4.49 |
| 69 | Ireland | 33.31 | 0.09% | 6.34 |
| 70 | Dominican Republic | 33.13 | 0.09% | 2.90 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Hong Kong has emitted about 1.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.1% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.09% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Hong Kong emit per year?
Hong Kong emitted 33 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.09% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Hong Kong?
About 4.49 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Hong Kong rising or falling?
They have fallen by 27% over the last ten years and risen by 23% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2014 at 45 million tonnes and are now 27% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Hong Kong?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 34% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 33%.
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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