Carbon intensity of energy in Japan
Japan: Carbon intensity of energy was 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2024. ▬ Flat
Latest (2024)
208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour
Change on year
down 1.4%
World rank
105th
of 204 countries
All-time high
240.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour
in 2013
All-time low
197.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour
in 1987
Years of data
60
1965–2024
Carbon intensity of energy in Japan, 1965–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour.
Analysis
Japan recorded 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour for carbon intensity of energy in 2024.
That represents a change of down 1.4% on the previous year and down 12.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, carbon intensity of energy in Japan peaked at 240.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2013 and was at its lowest, 197.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour, in 1987.
Japan ranks 105th of 204 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Carbon intensity of energy in Japan, year by year
| Year | grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 229.93 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | — |
| 1966 | 218.22 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -5.1% |
| 1967 | 222.88 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 231.91 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +4.1% |
| 1969 | 229.55 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.0% |
| 1970 | 235.12 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.4% |
| 1971 | 233.8 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.6% |
| 1972 | 234.48 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +0.3% |
| 1973 | 223.96 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -4.5% |
| 1974 | 227.72 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +1.7% |
| 1975 | 218.85 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -3.9% |
| 1976 | 219.18 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 225.33 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.8% |
| 1978 | 212.57 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -5.7% |
| 1979 | 221.45 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +4.2% |
| 1980 | 228.59 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +3.2% |
| 1981 | 227.81 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.3% |
| 1982 | 226.98 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.4% |
| 1983 | 216.43 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -4.6% |
| 1984 | 220.53 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +1.9% |
| 1985 | 210 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -4.8% |
| 1986 | 209.81 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.1% |
| 1987 | 197.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -5.9% |
| 1988 | 205.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +4.0% |
| 1989 | 206.17 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +0.3% |
| 1990 | 225.38 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +9.3% |
| 1991 | 222.24 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.4% |
| 1992 | 220.03 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 215.83 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.9% |
| 1994 | 214.93 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 211.11 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.8% |
| 1996 | 208.86 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.1% |
| 1997 | 203.75 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -2.4% |
| 1998 | 201.01 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.3% |
| 1999 | 203.65 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +1.3% |
| 2000 | 203.7 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +0.0% |
| 2001 | 203.27 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 208.26 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.5% |
| 2003 | 211.09 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +1.4% |
| 2004 | 206.98 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.9% |
| 2005 | 203.63 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.6% |
| 2006 | 200.48 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.5% |
| 2007 | 208.03 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 200.83 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -3.5% |
| 2009 | 206.46 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 202.75 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.8% |
| 2011 | 224.02 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +10.5% |
| 2012 | 235.43 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +5.1% |
| 2013 | 240.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 238.31 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 234.17 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.7% |
| 2016 | 233.48 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 229.03 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.9% |
| 2018 | 221.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -3.3% |
| 2019 | 219.06 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.1% |
| 2020 | 223.59 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | +2.1% |
| 2021 | 218.35 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -2.3% |
| 2022 | 214.78 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.6% |
| 2023 | 211.52 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.5% |
| 2024 | 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | -1.4% |
Japan compared with similar countries
- Japan's 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour is above the median for high income countries, which is 184.8 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour, 1.1× the median. (69 countries reporting)
- Japan's 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 214.52 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour, 97% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 226.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 218.22 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 231.91 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 5 |
| 1970s | 225.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 212.57 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 235.12 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 10 |
| 1980s | 214.93 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 197.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 228.59 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 10 |
| 1990s | 212.68 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 201.01 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 225.38 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 10 |
| 2000s | 205.27 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 200.48 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 211.09 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 10 |
| 2010s | 227.8 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 202.75 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 240.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 10 |
| 2020s | 215.35 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 223.59 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour | 5 |
Countries ranked near Japan
- 102 Saudi Arabia 211.04 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
- 103 Turkmenistan 210.72 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
- 104 Mexico 210.53 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
- 106 Ireland 208.43 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
- 107 Central African Republic 207.6 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
- 108 Sierra Leone 205.91 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour compare
More climate change data for Japan
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 337.64 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 12,181 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 3,633 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 8,547 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 13.71 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 305.27 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 9,462 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 2,401 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 7,061 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 9.06 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is carbon intensity of energy in Japan?
- Carbon intensity of energy in Japan was 208.5 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest carbon intensity of energy recorded in Japan?
- The highest recorded value was 240.25 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 2013.
- What is the lowest carbon intensity of energy recorded in Japan?
- The lowest recorded value was 197.51 grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour in 1987.
- How does Japan rank for carbon intensity of energy?
- Japan ranks 105th out of 204 countries with data for 2024.
- Is carbon intensity of energy rising or falling in Japan?
- Over the last ten years it is down 12.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Japan data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) and other sources – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Carbon intensity of energy. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 60 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Fossil carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions per unit of total energy supply, measured in grams of CO₂ per kilowatt-hour.