United Arab Emirates CO₂ Emissions
The United Arab Emirates emitted 222 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.57% of the global total. That ranks it 28th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 20.13 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does the United Arab Emirates emit?
The United Arab Emirates produced 222 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so the United Arab Emirates accounts for 0.57% of it.
With a population of about 11 million, that is 20.13 tonnes per person, 4.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in the United Arab Emirates since 1990
Annual emissions in the United Arab Emirates have risen by 328% since 1990, from 52 million tonnes to 222 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have risen by 3%. Emissions peaked in 2016 at 228 million tonnes and are now 3% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Gas is the largest source of CO₂ in the United Arab Emirates, at about 65% of the total, followed by oil at 30% and cement at 3%.
How the United Arab Emirates compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to the United Arab Emirates in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 26 | Egypt | 258.37 | 0.67% | 2.22 |
| 27 | Iraq | 233.64 | 0.61% | 5.07 |
| 28 | United Arab Emirates | 221.99 | 0.57% | 20.13 |
| 29 | Spain | 220.34 | 0.57% | 4.60 |
| 30 | Algeria | 198.20 | 0.51% | 4.23 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, the United Arab Emirates has emitted about 5.8 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 0.32% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.57% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does the United Arab Emirates emit per year?
The United Arab Emirates emitted 222 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.57% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in the United Arab Emirates?
About 20.13 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 4.3 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in the United Arab Emirates rising or falling?
They have risen by 3% over the last ten years and risen by 328% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2016 at 228 million tonnes and are now 3% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in the United Arab Emirates?
Gas is the largest source, responsible for about 65% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by oil at 30%.
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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