CO2 Emissions per Capita: Panama

Analysis# Panama CO2 Emissions per Capita Panama's per capita CO2 emissions reached 2.738 metric tons in 2024, representing a substantial 59.4% increase from 1970 levels of 1.718 metric tons. The country peaked at 3.109 metric tons in 2019, significantly above current levels, while its historical low of 1.049 metric tons occurred in 1988. Despite recent fluctuations, Panama's emissions profile remains elevated compared to its baseline decades ago. The most striking pattern emerges around 2019-2020, when emissions spiked to their all-time high before dropping sharply to 2.262 metric tons in 2020, likely reflecting pandemic-related economic disruption. Since then, emissions have rebounded inconsistently, climbing to 2.857 metric tons in 2023 before declining to 2.738 in 2024. This volatility suggests Panama's emissions trajectory remains responsive to economic cycles rather than demonstrating sustained decarbonization momentum.