Jamaica CO₂ Emissions
Jamaica emitted 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.02% of the global total. That ranks it 116th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 2.96 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Jamaica emit?
Jamaica produced 8.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Jamaica accounts for 0.02% of it.
With a population of about 2.8 million, that is 2.96 tonnes per person, 37% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Jamaica since 1990
Annual emissions in Jamaica have risen by 12% since 1990, from 7.5 million tonnes to 8.4 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 9%. Emissions peaked in 2006 at 12 million tonnes and are now 27% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Jamaica, at about 76% of the total, followed by gas at 17% and cement at 4%.
How Jamaica compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Jamaica in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 114 | Costa Rica | 8.76 | 0.02% | 1.71 |
| 115 | Mozambique | 8.61 | 0.02% | 0.25 |
| 116 | Jamaica | 8.40 | 0.02% | 2.96 |
| 117 | Papua New Guinea | 8.35 | 0.02% | 0.79 |
| 118 | Estonia | 8.31 | 0.02% | 6.11 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Jamaica has emitted about 485 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.03% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.02% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Jamaica emit per year?
Jamaica emitted 8.4 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.02% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Jamaica?
About 2.96 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 37% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Jamaica rising or falling?
They have risen by 9% over the last ten years and risen by 12% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2006 at 12 million tonnes and are now 27% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Jamaica?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 76% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 17%.
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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