Annual CO₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Annual CO₂ emissions from coal was 16.95 million tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
16.95 million tonnes
Change on year
down 5.4%
World rank
34th
of 179 countries
All-time high
501.66 million tonnes
in 1916
All-time low
9.31 million tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
275
1750–2024
Annual CO₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom, 1750–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
The most recent figure for annual co₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom is 16.95 million tonnes, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 5.4% on the previous year and down 85.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual co₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom peaked at 501.66 million tonnes in 1916 and was at its lowest, 9.31 million tonnes, in 1750.
United Kingdom ranks 34th of 179 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Annual CO₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 9.31 million tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 9.41 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1752 | 9.51 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1753 | 9.61 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1754 | 9.73 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1755 | 9.79 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1756 | 9.91 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1757 | 10.09 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1758 | 10.22 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1759 | 10.34 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1760 | 10.51 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1761 | 10.75 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1762 | 10.95 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1763 | 11.19 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1764 | 11.40 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1765 | 11.64 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1766 | 11.88 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1767 | 12.15 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1768 | 12.47 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1769 | 12.78 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1770 | 13.10 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1771 | 13.37 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1772 | 13.62 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1773 | 13.81 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1774 | 14.01 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1775 | 14.34 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1776 | 14.65 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1777 | 14.96 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1778 | 15.24 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1779 | 15.54 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1780 | 15.88 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1781 | 16.23 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1782 | 16.58 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1783 | 17.06 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1784 | 17.47 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1785 | 17.96 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1786 | 18.44 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1787 | 18.86 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1788 | 19.28 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1789 | 19.86 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1790 | 20.39 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1791 | 20.93 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1792 | 21.46 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1793 | 21.81 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1794 | 22.07 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1795 | 21.86 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1796 | 21.58 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1797 | 21.54 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1798 | 22.53 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1799 | 26.86 million tonnes | +19.2% |
| 1800 | 31.34 million tonnes | +16.7% |
| 1801 | 30.74 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1802 | 30.38 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1803 | 28.24 million tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1804 | 27.79 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1805 | 29.30 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1806 | 30.91 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1807 | 32.58 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1808 | 33.70 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1809 | 34.52 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1810 | 35.40 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1811 | 36.16 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1812 | 36.74 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1813 | 37.36 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1814 | 38.18 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1815 | 39.02 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1816 | 39.27 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1817 | 41.77 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1818 | 43.77 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1819 | 43.32 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1820 | 42.57 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1821 | 43.49 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1822 | 45.07 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1823 | 46.68 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1824 | 48.14 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1825 | 49.56 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1826 | 50.10 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1827 | 52.05 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1828 | 52.63 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1829 | 53.24 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1830 | 67.72 million tonnes | +27.2% |
| 1831 | 64.49 million tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1832 | 62.56 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1833 | 61.92 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1834 | 65.80 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1835 | 72.20 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1836 | 78.54 million tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1837 | 75.25 million tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1838 | 73.59 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1839 | 75.79 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1840 | 80.79 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1841 | 81.33 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1842 | 85.19 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1843 | 88.57 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1844 | 93.96 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1845 | 99.78 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1846 | 95.49 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1847 | 101.82 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1848 | 108.98 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1849 | 117.35 million tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1850 | 122.35 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1851 | 116.41 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1852 | 116.00 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1853 | 115.36 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1854 | 139.01 million tonnes | +20.5% |
| 1855 | 130.17 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1856 | 140.08 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1857 | 137.57 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1858 | 134.82 million tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1859 | 149.70 million tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1860 | 167.95 million tonnes | +12.2% |
| 1861 | 175.04 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1862 | 169.41 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1863 | 180.14 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1864 | 193.86 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1865 | 205.45 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1866 | 211.66 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1867 | 217.32 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1868 | 213.17 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1869 | 223.64 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1870 | 228.41 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1871 | 241.93 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1872 | 254.91 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1873 | 264.46 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1874 | 256.93 million tonnes | -2.8% |
| 1875 | 271.25 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1876 | 270.72 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1877 | 275.49 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1878 | 270.61 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1879 | 272.13 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1880 | 296.66 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1881 | 311.61 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1882 | 314.25 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1883 | 326.89 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1884 | 318.46 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1885 | 314.40 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1886 | 311.58 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1887 | 319.51 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1888 | 332.04 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1889 | 343.79 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1890 | 351.76 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1891 | 358.91 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1892 | 351.45 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1893 | 314.35 million tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1894 | 360.15 million tonnes | +14.6% |
| 1895 | 363.43 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1896 | 373.71 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1897 | 383.75 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1898 | 384.25 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1899 | 411.68 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1900 | 416.69 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1901 | 407.66 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1902 | 423.23 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1903 | 426.56 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1904 | 428.37 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1905 | 434.08 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1906 | 449.76 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1907 | 469.92 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1908 | 457.85 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1909 | 461.80 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1910 | 465.59 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1911 | 476.97 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1912 | 450.92 million tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1913 | 492.47 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1914 | 475.43 million tonnes | -3.5% |
| 1915 | 482.43 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1916 | 501.66 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1917 | 491.26 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1918 | 450.98 million tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1919 | 447.58 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1920 | 470.75 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1921 | 318.87 million tonnes | -32.3% |
| 1922 | 426.59 million tonnes | +33.8% |
| 1923 | 452.21 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1924 | 472.14 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1925 | 445.24 million tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1926 | 241.53 million tonnes | -45.8% |
| 1927 | 460.38 million tonnes | +90.6% |
| 1928 | 431.20 million tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1929 | 454.71 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1930 | 434.85 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1931 | 406.55 million tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1932 | 390.77 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1933 | 386.65 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1934 | 416.61 million tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1935 | 422.28 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1936 | 446.19 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1937 | 460.32 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1938 | 439.80 million tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1939 | 447.35 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1940 | 470.89 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1941 | 463.09 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1942 | 463.36 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1943 | 449.44 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1944 | 437.55 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1945 | 412.93 million tonnes | -5.6% |
| 1946 | 427.12 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1947 | 451.92 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1948 | 457.75 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1949 | 463.05 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1950 | 452.36 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1951 | 484.59 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1952 | 468.45 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1953 | 477.31 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1954 | 482.98 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1955 | 499.10 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1956 | 494.31 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1957 | 482.12 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1958 | 458.55 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1959 | 425.32 million tonnes | -7.2% |
| 1960 | 447.94 million tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1961 | 442.85 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1962 | 437.30 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1963 | 439.30 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1964 | 426.24 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1965 | 422.27 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1966 | 403.35 million tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1967 | 368.49 million tonnes | -8.6% |
| 1968 | 370.31 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1969 | 367.95 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1970 | 352.92 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1971 | 341.43 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1972 | 293.16 million tonnes | -14.1% |
| 1973 | 295.87 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1974 | 263.38 million tonnes | -11.0% |
| 1975 | 276.21 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1976 | 274.98 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1977 | 271.10 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1978 | 259.16 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1979 | 281.57 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1980 | 260.72 million tonnes | -7.4% |
| 1981 | 261.41 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1982 | 244.74 million tonnes | -6.4% |
| 1983 | 247.22 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1984 | 177.55 million tonnes | -28.2% |
| 1985 | 234.32 million tonnes | +32.0% |
| 1986 | 248.50 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1987 | 259.28 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1988 | 249.76 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1989 | 245.88 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1990 | 252.69 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1991 | 253.62 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1992 | 237.75 million tonnes | -6.3% |
| 1993 | 207.69 million tonnes | -12.6% |
| 1994 | 195.38 million tonnes | -5.9% |
| 1995 | 181.70 million tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1996 | 173.07 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 1997 | 154.73 million tonnes | -10.6% |
| 1998 | 154.09 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1999 | 138.31 million tonnes | -10.2% |
| 2000 | 144.44 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 2001 | 153.53 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 2002 | 141.69 million tonnes | -7.7% |
| 2003 | 153.10 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 2004 | 147.66 million tonnes | -3.6% |
| 2005 | 148.03 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2006 | 160.84 million tonnes | +8.7% |
| 2007 | 150.84 million tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2008 | 139.22 million tonnes | -7.7% |
| 2009 | 113.82 million tonnes | -18.2% |
| 2010 | 118.03 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 2011 | 117.15 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2012 | 148.00 million tonnes | +26.3% |
| 2013 | 142.46 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 2014 | 115.43 million tonnes | -19.0% |
| 2015 | 91.55 million tonnes | -20.7% |
| 2016 | 47.82 million tonnes | -47.8% |
| 2017 | 39.13 million tonnes | -18.2% |
| 2018 | 33.28 million tonnes | -14.9% |
| 2019 | 24.51 million tonnes | -26.3% |
| 2020 | 22.81 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 2021 | 23.76 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 2022 | 19.98 million tonnes | -15.9% |
| 2023 | 17.91 million tonnes | -10.3% |
| 2024 | 16.95 million tonnes | -5.4% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 16.95 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.88 million tonnes, 9.0× the median. (68 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 16.95 million tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 4.11 million tonnes, 4.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual CO₂ emissions from coal 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | +90.6% | 241.53 million tonnes | 460.38 million tonnes |
| 2016 | -47.8% | 91.55 million tonnes | 47.82 million tonnes |
| 1926 | -45.8% | 445.24 million tonnes | 241.53 million tonnes |
| 1921 | -32.3% | 470.75 million tonnes | 318.87 million tonnes |
| 1922 | +33.8% | 318.87 million tonnes | 426.59 million tonnes |
| 1985 | +32.0% | 177.55 million tonnes | 234.32 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 9.79 million tonnes | 9.31 million tonnes | 10.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 11.57 million tonnes | 10.51 million tonnes | 12.78 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 14.26 million tonnes | 13.10 million tonnes | 15.54 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 17.76 million tonnes | 15.88 million tonnes | 19.86 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 22.10 million tonnes | 20.39 million tonnes | 26.86 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 30.95 million tonnes | 27.79 million tonnes | 34.52 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 39.10 million tonnes | 35.40 million tonnes | 43.77 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 48.35 million tonnes | 42.57 million tonnes | 53.24 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 69.79 million tonnes | 61.92 million tonnes | 78.54 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 95.33 million tonnes | 80.79 million tonnes | 117.35 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 130.15 million tonnes | 115.36 million tonnes | 149.70 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 195.76 million tonnes | 167.95 million tonnes | 223.64 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 260.68 million tonnes | 228.41 million tonnes | 275.49 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 318.92 million tonnes | 296.66 million tonnes | 343.79 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 365.34 million tonnes | 314.35 million tonnes | 411.68 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 437.59 million tonnes | 407.66 million tonnes | 469.92 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 473.53 million tonnes | 447.58 million tonnes | 501.66 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 417.36 million tonnes | 241.53 million tonnes | 472.14 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 425.14 million tonnes | 386.65 million tonnes | 460.32 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 449.71 million tonnes | 412.93 million tonnes | 470.89 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 472.51 million tonnes | 425.32 million tonnes | 499.10 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 412.60 million tonnes | 367.95 million tonnes | 447.94 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 290.98 million tonnes | 259.16 million tonnes | 352.92 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 242.94 million tonnes | 177.55 million tonnes | 261.41 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 194.90 million tonnes | 138.31 million tonnes | 253.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 145.32 million tonnes | 113.82 million tonnes | 160.84 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 87.74 million tonnes | 24.51 million tonnes | 148.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 20.28 million tonnes | 16.95 million tonnes | 23.76 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 31 Uzbekistan 19.76 million tonnes compare
- 32 France 19.47 million tonnes compare
- 33 Netherlands 18.61 million tonnes compare
- 35 Laos 16.68 million tonnes compare
- 36 Bosnia and Herzegovina 13.87 million tonnes compare
- 37 Egypt 12.12 million tonnes compare
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 coal in United Kingdom?
- Annual co₂ emissions from coal in United Kingdom was 16.95 million tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest annual co₂ emissions from coal recorded in United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 501.66 million tonnes in 1916.
- What is the lowest annual co₂ emissions from coal recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 9.31 million tonnes in 1750.
- How does United Kingdom rank for annual co₂ emissions from coal?
- United Kingdom ranks 34th out of 179 countries with data for 2024.
- Is annual co₂ emissions from coal rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 85.3%. 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 Annual CO₂ emissions from coal. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 275 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from coal, measured in tonnes.