South Africa CO₂ Emissions
South Africa emitted 440 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 1.14% of the global total. That ranks it 15th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 6.87 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does South Africa emit?
South Africa produced 440 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so South Africa accounts for 1.14% of it.
With a population of about 64 million, that is 6.87 tonnes per person, 1.5 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in South Africa since 1990
Annual emissions in South Africa have risen by 41% since 1990, from 313 million tonnes to 440 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 9%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 495 million tonnes and are now 11% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in South Africa, at about 84% of the total, followed by oil at 13% and gas at 2%.
How South Africa compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to South Africa in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | Brazil | 483.01 | 1.25% | 2.28 |
| 14 | Mexico | 460.99 | 1.19% | 3.52 |
| 15 | South Africa | 439.83 | 1.14% | 6.87 |
| 16 | Australia | 386.73 | 1.00% | 14.48 |
| 17 | Vietnam | 370.93 | 0.96% | 3.67 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, South Africa has emitted about 22.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 1.23% of the cumulative global total, compared with 1.14% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does South Africa emit per year?
South Africa emitted 440 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 1.14% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in South Africa?
About 6.87 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 1.5 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in South Africa rising or falling?
They have fallen by 9% over the last ten years and risen by 41% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 495 million tonnes and are now 11% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in South Africa?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 84% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 13%.
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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