CO2 Emissions per Capita: Iran

Analysis# Iran CO2 Emissions per Capita Iran's per capita CO2 emissions reached 9.053 metric tons in 2024, marking an all-time high and representing a 228.1% increase since 1970. The nation's emissions have more than tripled over five decades, rising from a low of 2.744 metric tons in 1981. This trajectory reflects Iran's rapid industrialization and growing energy consumption, positioning the country among higher-emitting nations on a per capita basis. The past decade reveals a consistent upward trend, with emissions climbing from 7.619 metric tons in 2015 to the current peak. Year-over-year growth has remained steady, accelerating particularly since 2019. The 2020 figure of 8.389 metric tons—despite global pandemic-related economic disruptions—demonstrates that emissions have not abated. Without significant policy interventions or structural shifts toward renewable energy, Iran's per capita emissions trajectory suggests continued elevation in coming years.