Nepal CO₂ Emissions
Nepal emitted 19 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.05% of the global total. That ranks it 92nd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 0.63 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Nepal emit?
Nepal produced 19 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Nepal accounts for 0.05% of it.
With a population of about 30 million, that is 0.63 tonnes per person, 87% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Nepal since 1990
Annual emissions in Nepal have risen by 2,504% since 1990, from 721 thousand tonnes to 19 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 147%. 2024 is the highest year on record.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Nepal, at about 45% of the total, followed by coal at 43% and cement at 12%.
How Nepal compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Nepal in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 90 | Guatemala | 19.88 | 0.05% | 1.08 |
| 91 | Bosnia and Herzegovina | 19.43 | 0.05% | 6.14 |
| 92 | Nepal | 18.78 | 0.05% | 0.63 |
| 93 | Croatia | 18.47 | 0.05% | 4.76 |
| 94 | Ethiopia | 17.84 | 0.05% | 0.14 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Nepal has emitted about 232 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.05% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Nepal emit per year?
Nepal emitted 19 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.05% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Nepal?
About 0.63 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 87% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Nepal rising or falling?
They have risen by 147% over the last ten years and risen by 2,504% since 1990. 2024 is the highest year on record.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Nepal?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 45% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by coal at 43%.
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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