United Kingdom CO₂ Emissions
The United Kingdom emitted 313 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 0.81% of the global total. That ranks it 18th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 4.53 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does the United Kingdom emit?
The United Kingdom produced 313 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so the United Kingdom accounts for 0.81% of it.
With a population of about 69 million, that is 4.53 tonnes per person, close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in the United Kingdom since 1990
Annual emissions in the United Kingdom have fallen by 48% since 1990, from 602 million tonnes to 313 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 29%. Emissions peaked in 1971 at 660 million tonnes and are now 53% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in the United Kingdom, at about 51% of the total, followed by gas at 40% and coal at 5%.
How the United Kingdom compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to the United Kingdom in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 | Australia | 386.73 | 1.00% | 14.48 |
| 17 | Vietnam | 370.93 | 0.96% | 3.67 |
| 18 | United Kingdom | 312.91 | 0.81% | 4.53 |
| 19 | Italy | 301.93 | 0.78% | 5.09 |
| 20 | Malaysia | 290.22 | 0.75% | 8.16 |
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 Kingdom has emitted about 80.1 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 4.33% of the cumulative global total, compared with 0.81% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does the United Kingdom emit per year?
The United Kingdom emitted 313 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 0.81% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in the United Kingdom?
About 4.53 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is close to the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in the United Kingdom rising or falling?
They have fallen by 29% over the last ten years and fallen by 48% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 1971 at 660 million tonnes and are now 53% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in the United Kingdom?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 51% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 40%.
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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