CO2 Emissions per Capita by Country 2024

Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita provide an important perspective on how individuals in various countries contribute to global greenhouse gas emissions. Unlike total emissions, which are heavily influenced by population size, per capita emissions reflect the average carbon footprint of a single person within a nation. This metric helps reveal significant disparities between countries with varying levels of industrialization, energy consumption, and environmental policies.

Globally, the average CO2 emissions per capita stand at 4.80 tons per person, but this figure masks extreme variations. Wealthier nations often have higher emissions per capita due to energy-intensive lifestyles and industrial activities, while developing countries tend to have significantly lower levels. This article dives into the countries with the highest and lowest CO2 emissions per capita, explains the trends behind these figures, and provides a comprehensive table for detailed analysis.

Top Countries with Highest CO2 Emissions per Capita

The nations with the highest CO2 emissions per capita are predominantly small, wealthy countries or territories with resource-driven economies. Palau, topping the list, experiences high emissions due to its reliance on diesel generators for electricity and heavy imports. Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates are all located in the Middle East and derive significant wealth from fossil fuels, especially oil and natural gas. Their high emissions per capita can be attributed to energy-intensive industries, lack of renewable energy infrastructure, and high-energy lifestyles, including air conditioning and desalination plants in arid climates.

Top Countries with Lowest CO2 Emissions per Capita

Countries with the lowest CO2 emissions per capita are primarily located in Africa, where industrial development is minimal, and the majority of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. DR Congo, Somalia, and Burundi have virtually no large-scale industrial activity, with most emissions coming from household activities like cooking with firewood or charcoal. Additionally, these nations face significant poverty and underdevelopment, limiting their energy consumption and resulting emissions. This highlights the disparity in global CO2 emissions and the challenges these countries face in balancing development and sustainability.

Full Table of CO2 Emissions per Capita by Country

The Impact of High CO2 Emissions on Climate

High per capita CO2 emissions have far-reaching consequences for the environment and global climate. Countries with the highest emissions contribute disproportionately to climate change, accelerating global warming, rising sea levels, and extreme weather events. Industrialized nations often consume far more than their fair share of the world’s carbon budget, creating environmental consequences that disproportionately affect low-emission countries.

For instance, small island nations like Palau, while contributing relatively little to global CO2 emissions in absolute terms, face existential threats due to rising sea levels caused by the emissions of high-polluting countries. Addressing these disparities through international cooperation and the transition to renewable energy sources is essential for combating climate change.

Why Measuring CO2 Emissions Per Capita Matters

Understanding CO2 emissions per capita provides insights into global inequalities in energy consumption and environmental impact. While wealthier nations must work on reducing their carbon footprint by transitioning to clean energy and sustainable practices, developing nations must balance industrial growth with environmental conservation. This metric emphasizes the shared but differentiated responsibility in addressing global climate change, pushing for stronger policies like carbon taxes, green investments, and international agreements such as the Paris Agreement.

Source

• CO2 Emissions per Capita – Worldometers
• Emission Database for Global Atmospheric Research (EDGAR)