Annual CO₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand
New Zealand: Annual CO₂ emissions from land-use change was 13.74 million tonnes in 2024. ▲ Rising
Latest (2024)
13.74 million tonnes
Change on year
down 10.9%
World rank
44th
of 197 countries
All-time high
57.33 million tonnes
in 1980
All-time low
7.70 million tonnes
in 1858
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Annual CO₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand, 1850–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, annual co₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand stood at 13.74 million tonnes.
The figure is down 10.9% on the previous year and down 16.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, annual co₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand peaked at 57.33 million tonnes in 1980 and was at its lowest, 7.70 million tonnes, in 1858.
New Zealand ranks 44th of 197 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently rising across the 175 years of available data.
Annual CO₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 11.99 million tonnes | — |
| 1851 | 10.94 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1852 | 10.19 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1853 | 9.93 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1854 | 9.22 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 1855 | 9.11 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1856 | 9.02 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1857 | 9.16 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1858 | 7.70 million tonnes | -15.9% |
| 1859 | 7.88 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1860 | 8.19 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1861 | 8.39 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1862 | 8.39 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1863 | 8.04 million tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1864 | 8.14 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1865 | 8.43 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1866 | 8.50 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1867 | 8.32 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1868 | 9.49 million tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1869 | 8.86 million tonnes | -6.6% |
| 1870 | 8.73 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1871 | 8.83 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1872 | 8.11 million tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1873 | 10.22 million tonnes | +26.1% |
| 1874 | 9.70 million tonnes | -5.1% |
| 1875 | 9.63 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1876 | 9.07 million tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1877 | 9.79 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1878 | 8.60 million tonnes | -12.2% |
| 1879 | 8.91 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1880 | 13.88 million tonnes | +55.8% |
| 1881 | 14.67 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1882 | 16.25 million tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1883 | 15.16 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1884 | 15.84 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1885 | 16.32 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1886 | 16.12 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1887 | 17.88 million tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1888 | 17.55 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1889 | 17.66 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 21.13 million tonnes | +19.6% |
| 1891 | 22.68 million tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1892 | 21.37 million tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1893 | 23.26 million tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1894 | 24.15 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1895 | 24.73 million tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1896 | 25.68 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1897 | 26.44 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1898 | 26.72 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1899 | 27.74 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1900 | 24.23 million tonnes | -12.7% |
| 1901 | 23.77 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1902 | 20.48 million tonnes | -13.9% |
| 1903 | 20.71 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1904 | 21.49 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1905 | 19.59 million tonnes | -8.9% |
| 1906 | 19.27 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1907 | 18.70 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1908 | 19.84 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1909 | 18.16 million tonnes | -8.5% |
| 1910 | 21.35 million tonnes | +17.6% |
| 1911 | 21.14 million tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1912 | 21.82 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 20.64 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1914 | 20.56 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1915 | 21.07 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1916 | 21.34 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1917 | 21.81 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1918 | 21.97 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1919 | 21.88 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1920 | 21.56 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1921 | 21.31 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1922 | 21.56 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1923 | 22.55 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1924 | 22.54 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1925 | 20.76 million tonnes | -7.9% |
| 1926 | 18.89 million tonnes | -9.0% |
| 1927 | 20.11 million tonnes | +6.5% |
| 1928 | 24.19 million tonnes | +20.3% |
| 1929 | 18.63 million tonnes | -23.0% |
| 1930 | 19.27 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1931 | 20.38 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1932 | 17.86 million tonnes | -12.4% |
| 1933 | 19.13 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1934 | 18.53 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1935 | 18.24 million tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1936 | 21.53 million tonnes | +18.0% |
| 1937 | 19.84 million tonnes | -7.8% |
| 1938 | 19.04 million tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1939 | 17.76 million tonnes | -6.7% |
| 1940 | 18.24 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1941 | 18.16 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1942 | 19.00 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1943 | 19.11 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1944 | 17.43 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1945 | 17.04 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1946 | 18.49 million tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1947 | 16.51 million tonnes | -10.7% |
| 1948 | 17.85 million tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1949 | 17.69 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1950 | 21.60 million tonnes | +22.1% |
| 1951 | 26.00 million tonnes | +20.3% |
| 1952 | 29.64 million tonnes | +14.0% |
| 1953 | 28.86 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1954 | 30.50 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1955 | 32.15 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1956 | 30.97 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1957 | 31.05 million tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1958 | 31.92 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1959 | 30.69 million tonnes | -3.8% |
| 1960 | 15.98 million tonnes | -47.9% |
| 1961 | 17.56 million tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1962 | 16.35 million tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1963 | 17.05 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1964 | 12.74 million tonnes | -25.3% |
| 1965 | 14.06 million tonnes | +10.4% |
| 1966 | 13.15 million tonnes | -6.5% |
| 1967 | 14.03 million tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1968 | 12.10 million tonnes | -13.7% |
| 1969 | 12.00 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1970 | 10.76 million tonnes | -10.3% |
| 1971 | 34.75 million tonnes | +222.9% |
| 1972 | 17.02 million tonnes | -51.0% |
| 1973 | 16.45 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1974 | 39.00 million tonnes | +137.0% |
| 1975 | 40.62 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1976 | 21.71 million tonnes | -46.6% |
| 1977 | 31.52 million tonnes | +45.2% |
| 1978 | 21.95 million tonnes | -30.4% |
| 1979 | 27.05 million tonnes | +23.2% |
| 1980 | 57.33 million tonnes | +111.9% |
| 1981 | 23.89 million tonnes | -58.3% |
| 1982 | 19.97 million tonnes | -16.4% |
| 1983 | 18.07 million tonnes | -9.5% |
| 1984 | 18.09 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1985 | 15.76 million tonnes | -12.9% |
| 1986 | 16.39 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1987 | 12.99 million tonnes | -20.8% |
| 1988 | 10.85 million tonnes | -16.4% |
| 1989 | 10.89 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 9.93 million tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1991 | 10.45 million tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1992 | 10.98 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1993 | 10.14 million tonnes | -7.6% |
| 1994 | 12.06 million tonnes | +18.9% |
| 1995 | 9.18 million tonnes | -23.9% |
| 1996 | 9.12 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1997 | 11.17 million tonnes | +22.5% |
| 1998 | 14.64 million tonnes | +31.1% |
| 1999 | 16.07 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 2000 | 15.44 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2001 | 23.17 million tonnes | +50.0% |
| 2002 | 14.34 million tonnes | -38.1% |
| 2003 | 19.10 million tonnes | +33.2% |
| 2004 | 12.73 million tonnes | -33.4% |
| 2005 | 9.73 million tonnes | -23.6% |
| 2006 | 19.11 million tonnes | +96.5% |
| 2007 | 13.75 million tonnes | -28.1% |
| 2008 | 23.46 million tonnes | +70.7% |
| 2009 | 15.15 million tonnes | -35.4% |
| 2010 | 13.89 million tonnes | -8.3% |
| 2011 | 17.59 million tonnes | +26.6% |
| 2012 | 16.64 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 2013 | 20.09 million tonnes | +20.7% |
| 2014 | 16.38 million tonnes | -18.5% |
| 2015 | 16.47 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 16.38 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 2017 | 17.93 million tonnes | +9.4% |
| 2018 | 19.29 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 2019 | 18.25 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 2020 | 22.03 million tonnes | +20.7% |
| 2021 | 18.18 million tonnes | -17.5% |
| 2022 | 17.13 million tonnes | -5.8% |
| 2023 | 15.41 million tonnes | -10.0% |
| 2024 | 13.74 million tonnes | -10.9% |
New Zealand compared with similar countries
- New Zealand's 13.74 million tonnes is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 2.66 million tonnes, 5.2× the median. (30 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Annual CO₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | +222.9% | 10.76 million tonnes | 34.75 million tonnes |
| 1974 | +137.0% | 16.45 million tonnes | 39.00 million tonnes |
| 1980 | +111.9% | 27.05 million tonnes | 57.33 million tonnes |
| 2006 | +96.5% | 9.73 million tonnes | 19.11 million tonnes |
| 2008 | +70.7% | 13.75 million tonnes | 23.46 million tonnes |
| 1981 | -58.3% | 57.33 million tonnes | 23.89 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 9.51 million tonnes | 7.70 million tonnes | 11.99 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 8.47 million tonnes | 8.04 million tonnes | 9.49 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 9.16 million tonnes | 8.11 million tonnes | 10.22 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 16.13 million tonnes | 13.88 million tonnes | 17.88 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 24.39 million tonnes | 21.13 million tonnes | 27.74 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 20.62 million tonnes | 18.16 million tonnes | 24.23 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 21.36 million tonnes | 20.56 million tonnes | 21.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 21.21 million tonnes | 18.63 million tonnes | 24.19 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 19.16 million tonnes | 17.76 million tonnes | 21.53 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 17.95 million tonnes | 16.51 million tonnes | 19.11 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 29.34 million tonnes | 21.60 million tonnes | 32.15 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 14.50 million tonnes | 12.00 million tonnes | 17.56 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 26.08 million tonnes | 10.76 million tonnes | 40.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 20.42 million tonnes | 10.85 million tonnes | 57.33 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 11.37 million tonnes | 9.12 million tonnes | 16.07 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.60 million tonnes | 9.73 million tonnes | 23.46 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 17.29 million tonnes | 13.89 million tonnes | 20.09 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 17.30 million tonnes | 13.74 million tonnes | 22.03 million tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near New Zealand
More climate change data for New Zealand
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 113.13 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 46,323 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 11,983 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 34,340 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 45.22 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,226 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 694.4 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 691.2 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 3.2 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2.61 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is annual co₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand?
- Annual co₂ emissions from land-use change in New Zealand was 13.74 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 land-use change recorded in New Zealand?
- The highest recorded value was 57.33 million tonnes in 1980.
- What is the lowest annual co₂ emissions from land-use change recorded in New Zealand?
- The lowest recorded value was 7.70 million tonnes in 1858.
- How does New Zealand rank for annual co₂ emissions from land-use change?
- New Zealand ranks 44th out of 197 countries with data for 2024.
- Is annual co₂ emissions from land-use change rising or falling in New Zealand?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this New Zealand 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 land-use change. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Annual emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from land-use change, measured in tonnes.