emissions of air pollutants in Iceland
Iceland: emissions of air pollutants was 93,987 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
93,987 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.1%
World rank
147th
of 220 countries
All-time high
110,525 tonnes
in 2015
All-time low
1,392 tonnes
in 1915
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Iceland, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in Iceland stood at 93,987 tonnes.
The figure is up 0.1% on the previous year and down 11.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Iceland peaked at 110,525 tonnes in 2015 and was at its lowest, 1,392 tonnes, in 1915.
Iceland ranks 147th of 220 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
emissions of air pollutants in Iceland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 1,526 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 1,529 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1752 | 1,533 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1753 | 1,536 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1754 | 1,539 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1755 | 1,543 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1756 | 1,546 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1757 | 1,549 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1758 | 1,552 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1759 | 1,555 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1760 | 1,558 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1761 | 1,561 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1762 | 1,565 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1763 | 1,568 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1764 | 1,571 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1765 | 1,574 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1766 | 1,577 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1767 | 1,580 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1768 | 1,583 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1769 | 1,586 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1770 | 1,589 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1771 | 1,592 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1772 | 1,595 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1773 | 1,599 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1774 | 1,602 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1775 | 1,605 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1776 | 1,607 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1777 | 1,610 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1778 | 1,613 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1779 | 1,616 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1780 | 1,618 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1781 | 1,622 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1782 | 1,625 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1783 | 1,627 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1784 | 1,630 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1785 | 1,633 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1786 | 1,636 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1787 | 1,639 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1788 | 1,641 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1789 | 1,644 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1790 | 1,646 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1791 | 1,649 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1792 | 1,652 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1793 | 1,655 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1794 | 1,657 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1795 | 1,660 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1796 | 1,662 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1797 | 1,665 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1798 | 1,667 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1799 | 1,669 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1800 | 1,672 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1801 | 1,674 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1802 | 1,677 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1803 | 1,679 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1804 | 1,682 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1805 | 1,684 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1806 | 1,686 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1807 | 1,689 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1808 | 1,691 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 1,693 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 1,695 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 1,707 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1812 | 1,719 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1813 | 1,731 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1814 | 1,742 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1815 | 1,754 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1816 | 1,765 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1817 | 1,776 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1818 | 1,787 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1819 | 1,798 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1820 | 1,809 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1821 | 1,821 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1822 | 1,834 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1823 | 1,846 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1824 | 1,858 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1825 | 1,870 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1826 | 1,882 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1827 | 1,893 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1828 | 1,904 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1829 | 1,916 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1830 | 1,926 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1831 | 1,939 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1832 | 1,952 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1833 | 1,965 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1834 | 1,977 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 1,990 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1836 | 2,002 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1837 | 2,013 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1838 | 2,025 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1839 | 2,036 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1840 | 2,047 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1841 | 2,061 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1842 | 2,074 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1843 | 2,087 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1844 | 2,100 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1845 | 2,112 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1846 | 2,124 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1847 | 2,136 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1848 | 2,148 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1849 | 2,159 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1850 | 2,171 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1851 | 2,206 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 2,241 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1853 | 2,275 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1854 | 2,309 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1855 | 2,343 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 2,338 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1857 | 2,332 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1858 | 2,325 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1859 | 2,347 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1860 | 2,369 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1861 | 2,363 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1862 | 2,355 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1863 | 2,347 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1864 | 2,338 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1865 | 2,324 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1866 | 2,310 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1867 | 2,294 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1868 | 2,278 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1869 | 2,275 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1870 | 2,272 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1871 | 2,259 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1872 | 2,244 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1873 | 2,229 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1874 | 2,213 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1875 | 2,193 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1876 | 2,173 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1877 | 2,151 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1878 | 2,130 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1879 | 2,106 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1880 | 2,083 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1881 | 2,045 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1882 | 2,007 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1883 | 1,968 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1884 | 1,930 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1885 | 1,893 tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1886 | 1,850 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1887 | 1,808 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1888 | 1,766 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1889 | 1,724 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1890 | 1,738 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1891 | 1,720 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1892 | 1,701 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1893 | 1,681 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1894 | 1,662 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1895 | 1,642 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1896 | 1,626 tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1897 | 1,610 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1898 | 1,594 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1899 | 1,578 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1900 | 1,562 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1901 | 1,553 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1902 | 1,543 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1903 | 1,534 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1904 | 1,505 tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1905 | 1,495 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1906 | 1,427 tonnes | -4.5% |
| 1907 | 1,483 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1908 | 1,477 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1909 | 1,474 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1910 | 1,447 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1911 | 1,441 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1912 | 1,415 tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1913 | 1,401 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1914 | 1,396 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1915 | 1,392 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1916 | 1,395 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1917 | 1,394 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1918 | 1,406 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1919 | 1,403 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1920 | 1,435 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1921 | 1,446 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1922 | 1,434 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1923 | 1,448 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1924 | 1,464 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1925 | 1,474 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1926 | 1,484 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1927 | 1,495 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1928 | 1,504 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1929 | 1,526 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1930 | 1,551 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1931 | 1,555 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1932 | 1,560 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1933 | 1,565 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1934 | 1,580 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1935 | 1,584 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1936 | 2,404 tonnes | +51.8% |
| 1937 | 2,352 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 1938 | 1,849 tonnes | -21.4% |
| 1939 | 1,936 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1940 | 2,995 tonnes | +54.7% |
| 1941 | 2,631 tonnes | -12.2% |
| 1942 | 1,817 tonnes | -30.9% |
| 1943 | 2,181 tonnes | +20.0% |
| 1944 | 2,060 tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1945 | 1,857 tonnes | -9.9% |
| 1946 | 1,812 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1947 | 1,708 tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1948 | 1,741 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1949 | 1,764 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1950 | 13,341 tonnes | +656.1% |
| 1951 | 11,755 tonnes | -11.9% |
| 1952 | 13,692 tonnes | +16.5% |
| 1953 | 15,770 tonnes | +15.2% |
| 1954 | 13,408 tonnes | -15.0% |
| 1955 | 15,036 tonnes | +12.1% |
| 1956 | 15,438 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1957 | 15,558 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1958 | 16,885 tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1959 | 18,357 tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1960 | 17,444 tonnes | -5.0% |
| 1961 | 18,648 tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1962 | 17,828 tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1963 | 18,534 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1964 | 18,460 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1965 | 20,140 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1966 | 21,213 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1967 | 22,289 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1968 | 22,185 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1969 | 21,846 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1970 | 22,786 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1971 | 24,958 tonnes | +9.5% |
| 1972 | 27,386 tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1973 | 32,951 tonnes | +20.3% |
| 1974 | 30,955 tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1975 | 35,393 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1976 | 33,379 tonnes | -5.7% |
| 1977 | 33,756 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1978 | 38,153 tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1979 | 37,921 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1980 | 38,841 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1981 | 39,690 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 42,984 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1983 | 42,708 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1984 | 43,941 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 44,950 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1986 | 47,068 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1987 | 50,933 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1988 | 53,564 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1989 | 53,688 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1990 | 56,380 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1991 | 55,526 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1992 | 55,325 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1993 | 52,637 tonnes | -4.9% |
| 1994 | 51,422 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1995 | 49,061 tonnes | -4.6% |
| 1996 | 46,024 tonnes | -6.2% |
| 1997 | 46,461 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1998 | 51,404 tonnes | +10.6% |
| 1999 | 55,062 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 2000 | 53,131 tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2001 | 52,756 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 2002 | 53,316 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2003 | 51,799 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2004 | 51,662 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2005 | 50,511 tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2006 | 55,970 tonnes | +10.8% |
| 2007 | 70,053 tonnes | +25.2% |
| 2008 | 107,659 tonnes | +53.7% |
| 2009 | 110,331 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 2010 | 108,826 tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2011 | 105,780 tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2012 | 105,923 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2013 | 97,525 tonnes | -7.9% |
| 2014 | 107,943 tonnes | +10.7% |
| 2015 | 110,525 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 2016 | 108,906 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 2017 | 98,381 tonnes | -9.7% |
| 2018 | 94,497 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2019 | 88,134 tonnes | -6.7% |
| 2020 | 91,195 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 2021 | 93,909 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 93,987 tonnes | +0.1% |
Iceland compared with similar countries
- Iceland's 93,987 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 150,374 tonnes, 63% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Iceland's 93,987 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 280,480 tonnes, 34% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where emissions of air pollutants in Iceland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | +656.1% | 1,764 tonnes | 13,341 tonnes |
| 1940 | +54.7% | 1,936 tonnes | 2,995 tonnes |
| 2008 | +53.7% | 70,053 tonnes | 107,659 tonnes |
| 1936 | +51.8% | 1,584 tonnes | 2,404 tonnes |
| 1942 | -30.9% | 2,631 tonnes | 1,817 tonnes |
| 2007 | +25.2% | 55,970 tonnes | 70,053 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 1,541 tonnes | 1,526 tonnes | 1,555 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 1,572 tonnes | 1,558 tonnes | 1,586 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 1,603 tonnes | 1,589 tonnes | 1,616 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 1,631 tonnes | 1,618 tonnes | 1,644 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 1,658 tonnes | 1,646 tonnes | 1,669 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 1,683 tonnes | 1,672 tonnes | 1,693 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 1,747 tonnes | 1,695 tonnes | 1,798 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 1,863 tonnes | 1,809 tonnes | 1,916 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 1,983 tonnes | 1,926 tonnes | 2,036 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 2,105 tonnes | 2,047 tonnes | 2,159 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 2,289 tonnes | 2,171 tonnes | 2,347 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2,325 tonnes | 2,275 tonnes | 2,369 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 2,197 tonnes | 2,106 tonnes | 2,272 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 1,907 tonnes | 1,724 tonnes | 2,083 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 1,655 tonnes | 1,578 tonnes | 1,738 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 1,505 tonnes | 1,427 tonnes | 1,562 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 1,409 tonnes | 1,392 tonnes | 1,447 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 1,471 tonnes | 1,434 tonnes | 1,526 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 1,794 tonnes | 1,551 tonnes | 2,404 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 2,057 tonnes | 1,708 tonnes | 2,995 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 14,924 tonnes | 11,755 tonnes | 18,357 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 19,859 tonnes | 17,444 tonnes | 22,289 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 31,764 tonnes | 22,786 tonnes | 38,153 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 45,837 tonnes | 38,841 tonnes | 53,688 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 51,930 tonnes | 46,024 tonnes | 56,380 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 65,719 tonnes | 50,511 tonnes | 110,331 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 102,644 tonnes | 88,134 tonnes | 110,525 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 93,030 tonnes | 91,195 tonnes | 93,987 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Iceland
More climate change data for Iceland
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 16.80 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 462.45 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 110.24 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 352.21 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 0.416 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 12.58 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 92.86 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 92.86 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 0.3504 kt (2050)
- Synthetic Fertilizers — Emissions (CO2eq) 92.72 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Iceland?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Iceland was 93,987 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Iceland?
- The highest recorded value was 110,525 tonnes in 2015.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Iceland?
- The lowest recorded value was 1,392 tonnes in 1915.
- How does Iceland rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Iceland ranks 147th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Iceland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 11.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Iceland data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, gas, wood, and coal. CO is a harmful gas that contributes to both outdoor and indoor air pollution.