Switzerland CO₂ Emissions
Switzerland emitted 32 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.08% of the global total. That ranks it 73rd of 213 countries and territories and works out at 3.6 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Switzerland emit?
Switzerland produced 32 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Switzerland accounts for 0.08% of it.
With a population of about 8.9 million, that is 3.6 tonnes per person, 24% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Switzerland since 1990
Annual emissions in Switzerland have fallen by 27% since 1990, from 44 million tonnes to 32 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 18%. Emissions peaked in 1973 at 46 million tonnes and are now 31% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Switzerland, at about 76% of the total, followed by gas at 18% and cement at 5%.
How Switzerland compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Switzerland in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 71 | Tunisia | 32.66 | 0.09% | 2.66 |
| 72 | New Zealand | 32.48 | 0.08% | 6.23 |
| 73 | Switzerland | 32.07 | 0.08% | 3.60 |
| 74 | Syria | 31.78 | 0.08% | 1.29 |
| 75 | Bulgaria | 31.62 | 0.08% | 4.68 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Switzerland has emitted about 3.2 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.17% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.08% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Switzerland emit per year?
Switzerland emitted 32 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.08% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Switzerland?
About 3.6 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 24% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Switzerland rising or falling?
They have fallen by 18% over the last ten years and fallen by 27% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1973 at 46 million tonnes and are now 31% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Switzerland?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 76% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 18%.
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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