Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires was 1.40 million tonnes in 2026. ◆ Volatile
Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom, 2003–2026
Source: Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom is 1.40 million tonnes, measured in 2026.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 3.6% on the previous year and up 223.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom peaked at 1.45 million tonnes in 2025 and was at its lowest, 176,580 tonnes, in 2024.
That places United Kingdom 87th out of 248 countries with data for 2026, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 1.18 million tonnes | — |
| 2004 | 548,896 tonnes | -53.7% |
| 2005 | 413,133 tonnes | -24.7% |
| 2006 | 545,492 tonnes | +32.0% |
| 2007 | 658,093 tonnes | +20.6% |
| 2008 | 356,830 tonnes | -45.8% |
| 2009 | 406,448 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 2010 | 457,147 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 2011 | 906,237 tonnes | +98.2% |
| 2012 | 510,156 tonnes | -43.7% |
| 2013 | 433,626 tonnes | -15.0% |
| 2014 | 303,453 tonnes | -30.0% |
| 2015 | 341,501 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 2016 | 432,328 tonnes | +26.6% |
| 2017 | 313,155 tonnes | -27.6% |
| 2018 | 472,996 tonnes | +51.0% |
| 2019 | 550,502 tonnes | +16.4% |
| 2020 | 312,798 tonnes | -43.2% |
| 2021 | 253,864 tonnes | -18.8% |
| 2022 | 440,564 tonnes | +73.5% |
| 2023 | 404,999 tonnes | -8.1% |
| 2024 | 176,580 tonnes | -56.4% |
| 2025 | 1.45 million tonnes | +721.0% |
| 2026 | 1.40 million tonnes | -3.6% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 1.40 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 41,059 tonnes, 34.1× the median. (85 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 1.40 million tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 120,250 tonnes, 11.6× the median. (56 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | +721.0% | 176,580 tonnes | 1.45 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 587,596 tonnes | 356,830 tonnes | 1.18 million tonnes | 7 |
| 2010s | 472,110 tonnes | 303,453 tonnes | 906,237 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 633,822 tonnes | 176,580 tonnes | 1.45 million tonnes | 7 |
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 annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom?
- Annual co₂ emissions from wildfires in United Kingdom was 1.40 million tonnes in 2026, according to Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual co₂ emissions from wildfires recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 1.45 million tonnes in 2025.
- What is the lowest annual co₂ emissions from wildfires recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 176,580 tonnes in 2024.
- How does United Kingdom rank for annual co₂ emissions from wildfires?
- United Kingdom ranks 87th out of 248 countries with data for 2026.
- Is annual co₂ emissions from wildfires rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is up 223.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom data come from?
- The figures come from Global Wildfire Information System (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Annual CO₂ emissions from wildfires. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 24 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon dioxide released by wildfires in tonnes. The 2026 data is incomplete and was last updated 18 September 2026.