Taiwan CO₂ Emissions
Taiwan emitted 262 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.68% of the global total. That ranks it 25th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 11.3 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Taiwan emit?
Taiwan produced 262 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Taiwan accounts for 0.68% of it.
With a population of about 23 million, that is 11.3 tonnes per person, 2.4 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Taiwan since 1990
Annual emissions in Taiwan have risen by 111% since 1990, from 124 million tonnes to 262 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 5%. Emissions peaked in 2017 at 286 million tonnes and are now 8% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Coal is the largest source of CO₂ in Taiwan, at about 54% of the total, followed by gas at 24% and oil at 20%.
How Taiwan compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Taiwan in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 23 | Thailand | 267.76 | 0.69% | 3.74 |
| 24 | France | 264.16 | 0.68% | 3.97 |
| 25 | Taiwan | 262.35 | 0.68% | 11.30 |
| 26 | Egypt | 258.37 | 0.67% | 2.22 |
| 27 | Iraq | 233.64 | 0.61% | 5.07 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Taiwan has emitted about 10.1 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.55% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.68% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Taiwan emit per year?
Taiwan emitted 262 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.68% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Taiwan?
About 11.3 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 2.4 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Taiwan rising or falling?
They have fallen by 5% over the last ten years and risen by 111% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2017 at 286 million tonnes and are now 8% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Taiwan?
Coal is the largest source, responsible for about 54% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 24%.
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.
From countries to companies. Work out your own business footprint from four figures on your bills.
Open the calculator