India CO₂ Emissions
India emitted 3.19 billion tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 8.27% of the global total. That ranks it 3rd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 2.2 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does India emit?
India produced 3.19 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so India accounts for 8.27% of it.
With a population of about 1.45 billion, that is 2.2 tonnes per person, 53% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in India since 1990
Annual emissions in India have risen by 453% since 1990, from 578 million tonnes to 3.19 billion tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 49%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in India, at about 66% of the total, followed by oil at 23% and cement at 6%.
How India compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to India in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 12,289.04 | 31.84% | 8.66 |
| 2 | United States | 4,904.12 | 12.71% | 14.20 |
| 3 | India | 3,193.48 | 8.27% | 2.20 |
| 4 | Russia | 1,780.52 | 4.61% | 12.29 |
| 5 | Japan | 961.87 | 2.49% | 7.77 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, India has emitted about 66.1 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 3.57% of the cumulative global total, compared with 8.27% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does India emit per year?
India emitted 3.19 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 8.27% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in India?
About 2.2 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 53% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in India rising or falling?
They have risen by 49% over the last ten years and risen by 453% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in India?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 66% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil 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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