Live estimate
New Zealand CO₂ Emissions
New Zealand emitted 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 0.1% of the world total, the 72nd most of 213 countries. That is 6.2 tonnes per person, 1.3× the world average of 4.7 t.
Estimated CO₂ emitted by New Zealand in 2026 so far
0
0 tonnes since you opened this page · 1 t every second
CO₂ in 2024
32.5 Mt
32.5 million tonnes
World rank
#72
of 213 countries
Share of world
0.1%
world total 38.6 Gt
Per person
6.2 t
world average 4.7 t
Change vs 2023
+2.8%
2023: 31.6 Mt
Historical share
0.1%
#69 since 1750
Trend since 2000
Emissions rose 2.8% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 13%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 37.5 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.
Show yearly data (million tonnes)
| Year | CO₂ (Mt) |
|---|---|
| 2024 | 32.5 |
| 2023 | 31.6 |
| 2022 | 32.0 |
| 2021 | 34.6 |
| 2020 | 34.1 |
| 2019 | 36.7 |
| 2018 | 35.7 |
| 2017 | 35.7 |
| 2016 | 34.1 |
| 2015 | 35.8 |
| 2014 | 35.4 |
| 2013 | 35.2 |
| 2012 | 35.9 |
| 2011 | 34.2 |
| 2010 | 34.8 |
| 2009 | 34.6 |
| 2008 | 37.5 |
| 2007 | 36.4 |
| 2006 | 37.3 |
| 2005 | 37.4 |
| 2004 | 35.8 |
| 2003 | 36.2 |
| 2002 | 34.5 |
| 2001 | 34.4 |
| 2000 | 32.2 |
Where it comes from
Oil is the largest source of New Zealand’s CO₂, at 58%.
- Coal18%5.9 Mt
- Oil58%18.9 Mt
- Gas18%5.9 Mt
- Cement1%0.4 Mt
- Flaring3%1.0 Mt
- Other industry2%0.5 Mt
How New Zealand compares
| Rank | Country | CO₂ 2024 | Share | Per person |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 70 | Dominican Republic | 33.1 Mt | 0.1% | 2.9 t |
| 71 | Tunisia | 32.7 Mt | 0.1% | 2.7 t |
| 72 | New Zealand | 32.5 Mt | 0.1% | 6.2 t |
| 73 | Switzerland | 32.1 Mt | 0.1% | 3.6 t |
| 74 | Syria | 31.8 Mt | 0.1% | 1.3 t |
Questions and answers
How much CO₂ does New Zealand emit?
New Zealand emitted 32.5 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 0.1% of global emissions. That is about 1 tonnes every second.
What are New Zealand’s CO₂ emissions per person?
New Zealand emits 6.2 tonnes per person, 1.3× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (5.2 million people in 2024).
Are New Zealand’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?
Emissions rose 2.8% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are down 13%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 37.5 million tonnes and are now 13% lower.
What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in New Zealand?
Oil is the largest source, at 58% of New Zealand’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (18.9 million tonnes).
How much has New Zealand contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?
Since 1750, New Zealand has emitted about 2 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 0.1% of the world total, the 69th largest historical contribution.
Related reading
Data: Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project (Global Carbon Budget 2025), CC BY 4.0. Annual figures are fossil-fuel and industry CO₂ for 2024, the latest complete year. Live counters are estimates that assume 2024 emission rates continue. How the counter works →