Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions was 5.08 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
5.08 million tonnes
Change on year
up 254.3%
World rank
17th
of 215 countries
All-time high
220.28 million tonnes
in 1927
All-time low
-199.93 million tonnes
in 1926
Years of data
274
1751–2024
Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions in United Kingdom, 1751–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
United Kingdom recorded 5.08 million tonnes for year-on-year change in co₂ emissions in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 254.3% on the previous year and up 113.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, year-on-year change in co₂ emissions in United Kingdom peaked at 220.28 million tonnes in 1927 and was at its lowest, -199.93 million tonnes, in 1926.
That places United Kingdom 17th out of 215 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1751 | 101,292 tonnes | — |
| 1752 | 97,939 tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1753 | 105,322 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1754 | 123,090 tonnes | +16.9% |
| 1755 | 59,888 tonnes | -51.3% |
| 1756 | 116,446 tonnes | +94.4% |
| 1757 | 184,022 tonnes | +58.0% |
| 1758 | 122,422 tonnes | -33.5% |
| 1759 | 122,496 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1760 | 175,477 tonnes | +43.3% |
| 1761 | 233,554 tonnes | +33.1% |
| 1762 | 204,313 tonnes | -12.5% |
| 1763 | 239,394 tonnes | +17.2% |
| 1764 | 205,390 tonnes | -14.2% |
| 1765 | 246,504 tonnes | +20.0% |
| 1766 | 232,594 tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1767 | 276,429 tonnes | +18.8% |
| 1768 | 314,427 tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1769 | 313,138 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1770 | 317,142 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1771 | 272,272 tonnes | -14.1% |
| 1772 | 254,019 tonnes | -6.7% |
| 1773 | 184,631 tonnes | -27.3% |
| 1774 | 204,277 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1775 | 326,505 tonnes | +59.8% |
| 1776 | 315,204 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1777 | 305,413 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1778 | 283,946 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1779 | 291,752 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1780 | 343,491 tonnes | +17.7% |
| 1781 | 355,657 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1782 | 346,571 tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1783 | 481,798 tonnes | +39.0% |
| 1784 | 408,340 tonnes | -15.2% |
| 1785 | 490,372 tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1786 | 482,368 tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1787 | 411,634 tonnes | -14.7% |
| 1788 | 427,098 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1789 | 577,196 tonnes | +35.1% |
| 1790 | 534,670 tonnes | -7.4% |
| 1791 | 533,656 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1792 | 528,472 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1793 | 357,056 tonnes | -32.4% |
| 1794 | 259,034 tonnes | -27.5% |
| 1795 | -208,074 tonnes | -180.3% |
| 1796 | -281,806 tonnes | +35.4% |
| 1797 | -45,954 tonnes | -83.7% |
| 1798 | 990,204 tonnes | -2254.8% |
| 1799 | 4.33 million tonnes | +337.1% |
| 1800 | 4.49 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1801 | -603,454 tonnes | -113.5% |
| 1802 | -359,258 tonnes | -40.5% |
| 1803 | -2.14 million tonnes | +494.5% |
| 1804 | -451,376 tonnes | -78.9% |
| 1805 | 1.50 million tonnes | -433.4% |
| 1806 | 1.61 million tonnes | +7.2% |
| 1807 | 1.68 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1808 | 1.12 million tonnes | -33.3% |
| 1809 | 820,896 tonnes | -26.6% |
| 1810 | 879,492 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1811 | 753,044 tonnes | -14.4% |
| 1812 | 586,544 tonnes | -22.1% |
| 1813 | 618,156 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1814 | 822,032 tonnes | +33.0% |
| 1815 | 837,364 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1816 | 246,328 tonnes | -70.6% |
| 1817 | 2.50 million tonnes | +915.3% |
| 1818 | 2.00 million tonnes | -19.9% |
| 1819 | -452,504 tonnes | -122.6% |
| 1820 | -749,308 tonnes | +65.6% |
| 1821 | 926,248 tonnes | -223.6% |
| 1822 | 1.58 million tonnes | +70.6% |
| 1823 | 1.60 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1824 | 1.46 million tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1825 | 1.43 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1826 | 537,856 tonnes | -62.3% |
| 1827 | 1.95 million tonnes | +261.8% |
| 1828 | 582,600 tonnes | -70.1% |
| 1829 | 612,652 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1830 | 14.48 million tonnes | +2263.7% |
| 1831 | -3.24 million tonnes | -122.4% |
| 1832 | -1.93 million tonnes | -40.5% |
| 1833 | -633,980 tonnes | -67.1% |
| 1834 | 3.88 million tonnes | -711.6% |
| 1835 | 6.40 million tonnes | +64.9% |
| 1836 | 6.35 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1837 | -3.29 million tonnes | -151.8% |
| 1838 | -1.67 million tonnes | -49.3% |
| 1839 | 2.20 million tonnes | -231.9% |
| 1840 | 5.00 million tonnes | +127.5% |
| 1841 | 539,528 tonnes | -89.2% |
| 1842 | 3.86 million tonnes | +615.9% |
| 1843 | 3.38 million tonnes | -12.6% |
| 1844 | 5.39 million tonnes | +59.5% |
| 1845 | 5.82 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1846 | -4.28 million tonnes | -173.6% |
| 1847 | 6.33 million tonnes | -247.7% |
| 1848 | 7.16 million tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1849 | 8.37 million tonnes | +17.0% |
| 1850 | 5.00 million tonnes | -40.3% |
| 1851 | -5.94 million tonnes | -218.8% |
| 1852 | -413,560 tonnes | -93.0% |
| 1853 | -639,544 tonnes | +54.6% |
| 1854 | 23.65 million tonnes | -3798.6% |
| 1855 | -8.84 million tonnes | -137.4% |
| 1856 | 9.91 million tonnes | -212.1% |
| 1857 | -2.51 million tonnes | -125.3% |
| 1858 | -2.74 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1859 | 14.87 million tonnes | -642.7% |
| 1860 | 18.25 million tonnes | +22.7% |
| 1861 | 7.10 million tonnes | -61.1% |
| 1862 | -5.58 million tonnes | -178.6% |
| 1863 | 10.75 million tonnes | -292.8% |
| 1864 | 13.69 million tonnes | +27.3% |
| 1865 | 11.58 million tonnes | -15.4% |
| 1866 | 6.24 million tonnes | -46.1% |
| 1867 | 5.64 million tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1868 | -4.15 million tonnes | -173.6% |
| 1869 | 10.49 million tonnes | -352.4% |
| 1870 | 4.79 million tonnes | -54.3% |
| 1871 | 13.54 million tonnes | +182.8% |
| 1872 | 12.95 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1873 | 9.67 million tonnes | -25.3% |
| 1874 | -7.47 million tonnes | -177.3% |
| 1875 | 14.30 million tonnes | -291.4% |
| 1876 | -468,992 tonnes | -103.3% |
| 1877 | 4.88 million tonnes | -1140.6% |
| 1878 | -4.92 million tonnes | -200.9% |
| 1879 | 1.67 million tonnes | -133.9% |
| 1880 | 24.48 million tonnes | +1365.1% |
| 1881 | 15.19 million tonnes | -38.0% |
| 1882 | 2.65 million tonnes | -82.5% |
| 1883 | 12.77 million tonnes | +381.2% |
| 1884 | -8.63 million tonnes | -167.6% |
| 1885 | -3.81 million tonnes | -55.9% |
| 1886 | -2.86 million tonnes | -24.8% |
| 1887 | 8.01 million tonnes | -380.0% |
| 1888 | 12.73 million tonnes | +58.8% |
| 1889 | 11.86 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1890 | 8.00 million tonnes | -32.5% |
| 1891 | 7.45 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1892 | -7.46 million tonnes | -200.2% |
| 1893 | -36.80 million tonnes | +393.0% |
| 1894 | 45.89 million tonnes | -224.7% |
| 1895 | 3.45 million tonnes | -92.5% |
| 1896 | 10.43 million tonnes | +202.6% |
| 1897 | 9.99 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1898 | 908,672 tonnes | -90.9% |
| 1899 | 27.67 million tonnes | +2945.6% |
| 1900 | 5.19 million tonnes | -81.3% |
| 1901 | -9.04 million tonnes | -274.2% |
| 1902 | 15.94 million tonnes | -276.3% |
| 1903 | 3.35 million tonnes | -79.0% |
| 1904 | 2.01 million tonnes | -40.0% |
| 1905 | 5.68 million tonnes | +182.8% |
| 1906 | 15.68 million tonnes | +176.1% |
| 1907 | 20.22 million tonnes | +29.0% |
| 1908 | -11.60 million tonnes | -157.4% |
| 1909 | 4.12 million tonnes | -135.5% |
| 1910 | 3.65 million tonnes | -11.6% |
| 1911 | 11.62 million tonnes | +218.7% |
| 1912 | -25.46 million tonnes | -319.2% |
| 1913 | 42.44 million tonnes | -266.6% |
| 1914 | -15.14 million tonnes | -135.7% |
| 1915 | 6.30 million tonnes | -141.6% |
| 1916 | 17.59 million tonnes | +179.3% |
| 1917 | -5.90 million tonnes | -133.6% |
| 1918 | -34.32 million tonnes | +481.4% |
| 1919 | -10.72 million tonnes | -68.8% |
| 1920 | 24.34 million tonnes | -327.1% |
| 1921 | -148.28 million tonnes | -709.2% |
| 1922 | 107.42 million tonnes | -172.4% |
| 1923 | 26.46 million tonnes | -75.4% |
| 1924 | 22.17 million tonnes | -16.2% |
| 1925 | -27.24 million tonnes | -222.9% |
| 1926 | -199.93 million tonnes | +633.9% |
| 1927 | 220.28 million tonnes | -210.2% |
| 1928 | -26.89 million tonnes | -112.2% |
| 1929 | 23.75 million tonnes | -188.3% |
| 1930 | -17.40 million tonnes | -173.3% |
| 1931 | -29.83 million tonnes | +71.4% |
| 1932 | -16.41 million tonnes | -45.0% |
| 1933 | -2.30 million tonnes | -86.0% |
| 1934 | 33.01 million tonnes | -1537.5% |
| 1935 | 5.93 million tonnes | -82.0% |
| 1936 | 25.33 million tonnes | +327.3% |
| 1937 | 15.17 million tonnes | -40.1% |
| 1938 | -18.95 million tonnes | -224.9% |
| 1939 | 1.53 million tonnes | -108.1% |
| 1940 | 25.79 million tonnes | +1582.6% |
| 1941 | -287,008 tonnes | -101.1% |
| 1942 | -6.80 million tonnes | +2269.3% |
| 1943 | -2.78 million tonnes | -59.2% |
| 1944 | -548,256 tonnes | -80.3% |
| 1945 | -36.60 million tonnes | +6575.0% |
| 1946 | 11.34 million tonnes | -131.0% |
| 1947 | 20.82 million tonnes | +83.6% |
| 1948 | 18.28 million tonnes | -12.2% |
| 1949 | 4.04 million tonnes | -77.9% |
| 1950 | -8.32 million tonnes | -306.0% |
| 1951 | 44.56 million tonnes | -635.4% |
| 1952 | -16.38 million tonnes | -136.8% |
| 1953 | 11.69 million tonnes | -171.4% |
| 1954 | 12.93 million tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1955 | 24.09 million tonnes | +86.3% |
| 1956 | -2.38 million tonnes | -109.9% |
| 1957 | -3.50 million tonnes | +47.2% |
| 1958 | -14.26 million tonnes | +307.8% |
| 1959 | -9.63 million tonnes | -32.5% |
| 1960 | 37.54 million tonnes | -489.8% |
| 1961 | 4.68 million tonnes | -87.5% |
| 1962 | 4.34 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1963 | 10.46 million tonnes | +140.9% |
| 1964 | 4.48 million tonnes | -57.1% |
| 1965 | 14.25 million tonnes | +217.8% |
| 1966 | -4.04 million tonnes | -128.3% |
| 1967 | -26.01 million tonnes | +544.4% |
| 1968 | 14.43 million tonnes | -155.5% |
| 1969 | 21.89 million tonnes | +51.7% |
| 1970 | 24.19 million tonnes | +10.5% |
| 1971 | 7.81 million tonnes | -67.7% |
| 1972 | -12.36 million tonnes | -258.3% |
| 1973 | 11.55 million tonnes | -193.4% |
| 1974 | -42.40 million tonnes | -467.0% |
| 1975 | -13.93 million tonnes | -67.1% |
| 1976 | -4.72 million tonnes | -66.1% |
| 1977 | 5.84 million tonnes | -223.6% |
| 1978 | 359,040 tonnes | -93.8% |
| 1979 | 39.78 million tonnes | +10979.9% |
| 1980 | -65.47 million tonnes | -264.6% |
| 1981 | -18.49 million tonnes | -71.8% |
| 1982 | -12.32 million tonnes | -33.4% |
| 1983 | -2.76 million tonnes | -77.6% |
| 1984 | -16.38 million tonnes | +494.4% |
| 1985 | 30.54 million tonnes | -286.5% |
| 1986 | 8.93 million tonnes | -70.7% |
| 1987 | 3.08 million tonnes | -65.5% |
| 1988 | -1.37 million tonnes | -144.5% |
| 1989 | 11.28 million tonnes | -923.4% |
| 1990 | 20.38 million tonnes | +80.7% |
| 1991 | 7.47 million tonnes | -63.4% |
| 1992 | -15.57 million tonnes | -308.5% |
| 1993 | -14.23 million tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1994 | -5.60 million tonnes | -60.7% |
| 1995 | -7.86 million tonnes | +40.4% |
| 1996 | 20.60 million tonnes | -362.2% |
| 1997 | -24.05 million tonnes | -216.7% |
| 1998 | 5.84 million tonnes | -124.3% |
| 1999 | -6.89 million tonnes | -218.1% |
| 2000 | 7.38 million tonnes | -207.1% |
| 2001 | 8.94 million tonnes | +21.0% |
| 2002 | -17.70 million tonnes | -298.0% |
| 2003 | 11.35 million tonnes | -164.1% |
| 2004 | 1.81 million tonnes | -84.0% |
| 2005 | -3.09 million tonnes | -270.7% |
| 2006 | -2.49 million tonnes | -19.4% |
| 2007 | -8.28 million tonnes | +232.1% |
| 2008 | -14.63 million tonnes | +76.8% |
| 2009 | -50.82 million tonnes | +247.3% |
| 2010 | 17.80 million tonnes | -135.0% |
| 2011 | -42.19 million tonnes | -337.1% |
| 2012 | 17.76 million tonnes | -142.1% |
| 2013 | -9.87 million tonnes | -155.5% |
| 2014 | -38.80 million tonnes | +293.3% |
| 2015 | -16.35 million tonnes | -57.9% |
| 2016 | -23.03 million tonnes | +40.9% |
| 2017 | -12.06 million tonnes | -47.6% |
| 2018 | -7.64 million tonnes | -36.7% |
| 2019 | -14.98 million tonnes | +96.1% |
| 2020 | -38.49 million tonnes | +157.0% |
| 2021 | 16.10 million tonnes | -141.8% |
| 2022 | -31.25 million tonnes | -294.1% |
| 2023 | -3.29 million tonnes | -89.5% |
| 2024 | 5.08 million tonnes | -254.3% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 5.08 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 13,739 tonnes, 369.7× the median. (74 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 5.08 million tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is -1,028 tonnes. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | +10979.9% | 359,040 tonnes | 39.78 million tonnes |
| 1945 | -6575.0% | -548,256 tonnes | -36.60 million tonnes |
| 1854 | +3798.6% | -639,544 tonnes | 23.65 million tonnes |
| 1899 | +2945.6% | 908,672 tonnes | 27.67 million tonnes |
| 1942 | -2269.3% | -287,008 tonnes | -6.80 million tonnes |
| 1798 | +2254.8% | -45,954 tonnes | 990,204 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 114,769 tonnes | 59,888 tonnes | 184,022 tonnes | 9 |
| 1760s | 244,122 tonnes | 175,477 tonnes | 314,427 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 275,516 tonnes | 184,631 tonnes | 326,505 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 432,452 tonnes | 343,491 tonnes | 577,196 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 699,524 tonnes | -281,806 tonnes | 4.33 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 766,753 tonnes | -2.14 million tonnes | 4.49 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 879,397 tonnes | -452,504 tonnes | 2.50 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 992,638 tonnes | -749,308 tonnes | 1.95 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 2.25 million tonnes | -3.29 million tonnes | 14.48 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 4.16 million tonnes | -4.28 million tonnes | 8.37 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 3.24 million tonnes | -8.84 million tonnes | 23.65 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 7.40 million tonnes | -5.58 million tonnes | 18.25 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 4.89 million tonnes | -7.47 million tonnes | 14.30 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 7.24 million tonnes | -8.63 million tonnes | 24.48 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 6.95 million tonnes | -36.80 million tonnes | 45.89 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 5.15 million tonnes | -11.60 million tonnes | 20.22 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | -995,496 tonnes | -34.32 million tonnes | 42.44 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 2.21 million tonnes | -199.93 million tonnes | 220.28 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | -391,712 tonnes | -29.83 million tonnes | 33.01 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 3.33 million tonnes | -36.60 million tonnes | 25.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 3.88 million tonnes | -16.38 million tonnes | 44.56 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 8.20 million tonnes | -26.01 million tonnes | 37.54 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.61 million tonnes | -42.40 million tonnes | 39.78 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | -6.29 million tonnes | -65.47 million tonnes | 30.54 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | -1.99 million tonnes | -24.05 million tonnes | 20.60 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | -6.75 million tonnes | -50.82 million tonnes | 11.35 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | -12.94 million tonnes | -42.19 million tonnes | 17.80 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | -10.37 million tonnes | -38.49 million tonnes | 16.10 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More climate change data for United Kingdom
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 37,706 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 8,697 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 29,008 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 32.82 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,036 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 7,083 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 7,027 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 55.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 26.52 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is year-on-year change in co₂ emissions in United Kingdom?
- Year-on-year change in co₂ emissions in United Kingdom was 5.08 million tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest year-on-year change in co₂ emissions recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 220.28 million tonnes in 1927.
- What is the lowest year-on-year change in co₂ emissions recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was -199.93 million tonnes in 1926.
- How does United Kingdom rank for year-on-year change in co₂ emissions?
- United Kingdom ranks 17th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is year-on-year change in co₂ emissions rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 113.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Year-on-year change in CO₂ emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 274 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual growth in total emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), excluding land-use change, measured in tonnes.