CO2 Emissions per Capita: Maldives

Analysis# Maldives CO2 Emissions per Capita Maldives recorded 3.567 metric tons of CO2 emissions per capita in 2024, positioning the island nation in the lower-middle range globally. This figure remains substantially below its peak of 5.302 metric tons in 2014, yet towers far above the 0.078 metric tons recorded in 1971—a staggering 4,359% increase over five decades. The nation's emissions trajectory reflects rapid development and tourism expansion since the 1970s, transforming a subsistence economy into a modern resort destination. Recent years reveal stabilization rather than continued growth. After dropping to 2.406 metric tons in 2020 (likely reflecting pandemic-related reductions), emissions have climbed back to near-2017 levels. The current value of 3.567 metric tons suggests the downward momentum from the 2014 peak has plateaued, indicating Maldives faces the dual challenge of sustaining its tourism-dependent economy while managing its carbon footprint in an era of climate urgency.