CO2 Emissions per Capita: United Kingdom
United Kingdom's co2 emissions per capita is currently 4.224 metric tons as of 2024. # United Kingdom CO2 Emissions per Capita The United Kingdom emitted 4.
Current (2024)
4.224 metric tons
-5.1% y/y
Peak (1973)
12.283 metric tons
Low (2024)
4.224 metric tons
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1970–2024 · 55 pts
CO2 Emissions per Capita — United Kingdom
1970 — 2024
CO2 Emissions per Capita — United Kingdom
Analysis# United Kingdom CO2 Emissions per Capita
The United Kingdom emitted 4.224 metric tons of CO2 per capita in 2024, marking both its current level and all-time low since 1970. This represents a dramatic 65.1% reduction from the nation's peak of 12.283 metric tons in 1973. Over five decades, the UK has fundamentally decoupled economic activity from carbon intensity, moving steadily downward despite fluctuations in the intervening years.
The most significant acceleration occurred after 2015, when per capita emissions stood at 6.39 metric tons. A sharp drop followed in 2020 to 4.79 metric tons, reflecting pandemic-related economic disruptions, but the downward trend has persisted through subsequent years. Even as activity rebounded post-2020, emissions continued declining, reaching 4.45 metric tons by 2023 before falling further to 4.224 in 2024. This sustained decrease suggests structural shifts toward renewable energy and efficiency gains have taken hold.
Historical Data
55 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 4.224 metric tons | -5.08% |
| 2023 | 4.45 metric tons | -7.43% |
| 2022 | 4.807 metric tons | -4.72% |
| 2021 | 5.045 metric tons | +5.32% |
| 2020 | 4.79 metric tons | -11.10% |
| 2019 | 5.388 metric tons | -4.47% |
| 2018 | 5.64 metric tons | -2.27% |
| 2017 | 5.771 metric tons | -3.38% |
| 2016 | 5.973 metric tons | -6.53% |
| 2015 | 6.39 metric tons | -4.11% |
| 2014 | 6.664 metric tons | -9.10% |
| 2013 | 7.331 metric tons | -2.98% |
| 2012 | 7.556 metric tons | +4.09% |
| 2011 | 7.259 metric tons | -9.01% |
| 2010 | 7.978 metric tons | +2.77% |
| 2009 | 7.763 metric tons | -10.13% |
| 2008 | 8.638 metric tons | -3.77% |
| 2007 | 8.976 metric tons | -2.46% |
| 2006 | 9.202 metric tons | -0.66% |
| 2005 | 9.263 metric tons | -0.98% |
Show all 55 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 9.355 metric tons | -0.49% |
| 2003 | 9.401 metric tons | +2.01% |
| 2002 | 9.216 metric tons | -3.24% |
| 2001 | 9.525 metric tons | +1.63% |
| 2000 | 9.372 metric tons | +1.10% |
| 1999 | 9.27 metric tons | -0.95% |
| 1998 | 9.359 metric tons | -0.17% |
| 1997 | 9.375 metric tons | -3.93% |
| 1996 | 9.759 metric tons | +3.26% |
| 1995 | 9.451 metric tons | -1.44% |
| 1994 | 9.589 metric tons | -1.59% |
| 1993 | 9.744 metric tons | -3.01% |
| 1992 | 10.046 metric tons | -2.51% |
| 1991 | 10.305 metric tons | +1.26% |
| 1990 | 10.177 metric tons | +0.23% |
| 1989 | 10.154 metric tons | -2.54% |
| 1988 | 10.419 metric tons | -0.61% |
| 1987 | 10.483 metric tons | +0.58% |
| 1986 | 10.423 metric tons | +2.19% |
| 1985 | 10.2 metric tons | +4.59% |
| 1984 | 9.752 metric tons | -3.02% |
| 1983 | 10.056 metric tons | -1.23% |
| 1982 | 10.181 metric tons | -2.67% |
| 1981 | 10.46 metric tons | -3.20% |
| 1980 | 10.806 metric tons | -9.67% |
| 1979 | 11.963 metric tons | +5.59% |
| 1978 | 11.33 metric tons | -0.29% |
| 1977 | 11.363 metric tons | +1.38% |
| 1976 | 11.208 metric tons | +1.01% |
| 1975 | 11.096 metric tons | -3.25% |
| 1974 | 11.469 metric tons | -6.63% |
| 1973 | 12.283 metric tons | +4.71% |
| 1972 | 11.731 metric tons | -1.97% |
| 1971 | 11.967 metric tons | -1.12% |
| 1970 | 12.102 metric tons | — |
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