Iceland CO₂ Emissions
Iceland emitted 3.8 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 144th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 9.67 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Iceland emit?
Iceland produced 3.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Iceland accounts for 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 393,404, that is 9.67 tonnes per person, 2.0 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Iceland since 1990
Annual emissions in Iceland have risen by 71% since 1990, from 2.2 million tonnes to 3.8 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 10%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 3.8 million tonnes and are now 0% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Iceland, at about 72% of the total, followed by coal at 23% and flaring at 5%.
How Iceland compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Iceland in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 142 | Albania | 4.44 | 0.01% | 1.59 |
| 143 | Guinea | 4.03 | 0.01% | 0.27 |
| 144 | Iceland | 3.80 | 0.01% | 9.67 |
| 145 | Namibia | 3.47 | 0.01% | 1.15 |
| 146 | Niger | 3.17 | 0.01% | 0.12 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Iceland has emitted about 172 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.01% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Iceland emit per year?
Iceland emitted 3.8 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.01% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Iceland?
About 9.67 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 2.0 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Iceland rising or falling?
They have risen by 10% over the last ten years and risen by 71% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 3.8 million tonnes and are now 0% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Iceland?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 72% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by coal at 23%.
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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