Tonga CO₂ Emissions
Tonga emitted 153 thousand tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, less than 0.01% of the global total. That ranks it 199th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 1.46 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Tonga emit?
Tonga produced 153 thousand tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Tonga accounts for less than 0.01% of it.
With a population of about 104,192, that is 1.46 tonnes per person, 69% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Tonga since 1990
Annual emissions in Tonga have risen by 89% since 1990, from 81 thousand tonnes to 153 thousand tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 44%. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 161 thousand tonnes and are now 5% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the only recorded source of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in Tonga.
How Tonga compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Tonga in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 197 | Dominica | 0.17 | <0.01% | 2.58 |
| 198 | Marshall Islands | 0.15 | <0.01% | 4.11 |
| 199 | Tonga | 0.15 | <0.01% | 1.46 |
| 200 | Bonaire Sint Eustatius and Saba | 0.15 | <0.01% | 4.95 |
| 201 | Micronesia | 0.15 | <0.01% | 1.33 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Tonga has emitted about 5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is less than 0.01% of the cumulative global total, compared with less than 0.01% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Tonga emit per year?
Tonga emitted 153 thousand tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is less than 0.01% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Tonga?
About 1.46 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 69% below the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Tonga rising or falling?
They have risen by 44% over the last ten years and risen by 89% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 161 thousand tonnes and are now 5% below that level.
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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