Live estimate

South Africa CO₂ Emissions

South Africa emitted 439.8 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 1.1% of the world total, the 15th most of 215 countries. That is 6.9 tonnes per person, 1.5× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by South Africa in 2026 so far

0

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 14 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

439.8 Mt

439.8 million tonnes

World rank

#15

of 215 countries

Share of world

1.1%

world total 38.60 Gt

Per person

6.9 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+0.7%

2023: 436.6 Mt

Historical share

1.2%

#13 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 0.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 6%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 494.7 million tonnes and are now 11% lower.

2000: 378.3 Mt2001: 371.6 Mt2002: 356.5 Mt2003: 404.4 Mt2004: 449.3 Mt2005: 416.2 Mt2006: 446.7 Mt2007: 465.0 Mt2008: 494.7 Mt2009: 474.5 Mt2010: 467.4 Mt2011: 474.3 Mt2012: 461.4 Mt2013: 456.2 Mt2014: 481.6 Mt2015: 457.5 Mt2016: 457.1 Mt2017: 440.0 Mt2018: 453.8 Mt2019: 470.7 Mt2020: 435.3 Mt2021: 439.5 Mt2022: 428.8 Mt2023: 436.6 Mt2024: 439.8 Mt200020052010201520202024
Show yearly data (million tonnes)
YearCO₂ (Mt)
2024439.8
2023436.6
2022428.8
2021439.5
2020435.3
2019470.7
2018453.8
2017440.0
2016457.1
2015457.5
2014481.6
2013456.2
2012461.4
2011474.3
2010467.4
2009474.5
2008494.7
2007465.0
2006446.7
2005416.2
2004449.3
2003404.4
2002356.5
2001371.6
2000378.3

Where it comes from

Coal is the largest source of South Africa’s CO₂, at 84%.

  • Coal84%371.4 Mt
  • Oil13%55.1 Mt
  • Gas2%7.7 Mt
  • Cement1%5.6 Mt

How South Africa compares

RankCountryCO₂ 2024SharePer person
13Brazil483.0 Mt1.2%2.3 t
14Mexico461.0 Mt1.2%3.5 t
15South Africa439.8 Mt1.1%6.9 t
16Australia386.7 Mt1.0%14.5 t
17Vietnam370.9 Mt1.0%3.7 t

See all 215 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does South Africa emit?

South Africa emitted 439.8 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 1.1% of global emissions. That is about 14 tonnes every second.

What are South Africa’s CO₂ emissions per person?

South Africa emits 6.9 tonnes per person, 1.5× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (64.0 million people in 2024).

Are South Africa’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 0.7% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 6%. Emissions peaked in 2008 at 494.7 million tonnes and are now 11% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in South Africa?

Coal is the largest source, at 84% of South Africa’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (371.4 million tonnes).

How much has South Africa contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, South Africa has emitted about 23 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 1.2% of the world total, the 13th largest historical contribution.

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 →