Cumulative CO₂ emissions in Switzerland
Switzerland: Cumulative CO₂ emissions was 3.16 billion tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
3.16 billion tonnes
Change on year
up 1.0%
World rank
55th
of 215 countries
All-time high
3.16 billion tonnes
in 2024
All-time low
146,560 tonnes
in 1858
Years of data
167
1858–2024
Cumulative CO₂ emissions in Switzerland, 1858–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2024, cumulative co₂ emissions in Switzerland stood at 3.16 billion tonnes. That is the highest value across all 167 years on record.
That represents a change of up 1.0% on the previous year and up 12.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cumulative co₂ emissions in Switzerland peaked at 3.16 billion tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, 146,560 tonnes, in 1858.
That places Switzerland 55th out of 215 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Cumulative CO₂ emissions in Switzerland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1858 | 146,560 tonnes | — |
| 1859 | 351,744 tonnes | +140.0% |
| 1860 | 655,856 tonnes | +86.5% |
| 1861 | 1.08 million tonnes | +64.8% |
| 1862 | 1.55 million tonnes | +43.4% |
| 1863 | 2.02 million tonnes | +30.3% |
| 1864 | 2.59 million tonnes | +28.3% |
| 1865 | 3.29 million tonnes | +26.9% |
| 1866 | 3.98 million tonnes | +21.0% |
| 1867 | 4.65 million tonnes | +17.0% |
| 1868 | 5.42 million tonnes | +16.5% |
| 1869 | 6.16 million tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1870 | 7.06 million tonnes | +14.6% |
| 1871 | 8.17 million tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1872 | 9.45 million tonnes | +15.6% |
| 1873 | 10.68 million tonnes | +13.1% |
| 1874 | 11.85 million tonnes | +10.9% |
| 1875 | 13.13 million tonnes | +10.8% |
| 1876 | 14.63 million tonnes | +11.4% |
| 1877 | 16.04 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1878 | 17.40 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1879 | 18.85 million tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1880 | 20.52 million tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1881 | 22.08 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1882 | 23.81 million tonnes | +7.8% |
| 1883 | 25.72 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1884 | 27.69 million tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1885 | 29.73 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1886 | 31.82 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1887 | 34.08 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1888 | 36.38 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1889 | 38.92 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1890 | 41.80 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1891 | 45.32 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1892 | 48.79 million tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1893 | 51.67 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1894 | 55.25 million tonnes | +6.9% |
| 1895 | 59.10 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1896 | 63.31 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1897 | 67.75 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1898 | 72.50 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1899 | 77.62 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1900 | 83.29 million tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1901 | 88.48 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1902 | 93.71 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1903 | 99.39 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1904 | 105.35 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1905 | 111.59 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1906 | 118.48 million tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1907 | 126.48 million tonnes | +6.8% |
| 1908 | 134.49 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1909 | 142.56 million tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1910 | 150.34 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1911 | 158.96 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1912 | 167.72 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1913 | 176.97 million tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1914 | 185.40 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1915 | 194.32 million tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1916 | 202.80 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1917 | 208.91 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1918 | 214.66 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1919 | 219.26 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1920 | 226.49 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1921 | 230.96 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1922 | 237.11 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1923 | 244.78 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1924 | 252.01 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1925 | 259.55 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1926 | 267.00 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1927 | 275.60 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1928 | 284.56 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1929 | 294.83 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1930 | 304.38 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1931 | 314.48 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1932 | 324.70 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1933 | 334.27 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1934 | 343.82 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1935 | 353.30 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1936 | 363.22 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1937 | 373.68 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1938 | 384.14 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1939 | 396.00 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1940 | 404.31 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1941 | 410.94 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1942 | 416.77 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1943 | 422.95 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1944 | 427.40 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1945 | 429.02 million tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1946 | 434.78 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1947 | 444.23 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1948 | 454.44 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1949 | 462.97 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1950 | 473.22 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1951 | 485.54 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1952 | 496.78 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1953 | 507.13 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1954 | 519.74 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1955 | 533.38 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1956 | 550.46 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1957 | 568.17 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1958 | 584.48 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1959 | 601.10 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1960 | 620.61 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1961 | 640.99 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1962 | 665.12 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1963 | 694.21 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1964 | 722.35 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1965 | 752.69 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 784.19 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1967 | 816.71 million tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1968 | 852.70 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1969 | 890.76 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1970 | 931.01 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1971 | 972.90 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1972 | 1.02 billion tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1973 | 1.06 billion tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1974 | 1.10 billion tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1975 | 1.14 billion tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1976 | 1.18 billion tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1977 | 1.22 billion tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1978 | 1.27 billion tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1979 | 1.31 billion tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1980 | 1.35 billion tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 1.39 billion tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1982 | 1.42 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1983 | 1.46 billion tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1984 | 1.50 billion tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1985 | 1.54 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 1.58 billion tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1987 | 1.62 billion tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1988 | 1.66 billion tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1989 | 1.70 billion tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1990 | 1.75 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1991 | 1.79 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1992 | 1.84 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1993 | 1.88 billion tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1994 | 1.93 billion tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1995 | 1.97 billion tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1996 | 2.01 billion tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 2.06 billion tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1998 | 2.10 billion tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1999 | 2.15 billion tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2000 | 2.19 billion tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2001 | 2.23 billion tonnes | +2.1% |
| 2002 | 2.28 billion tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2003 | 2.32 billion tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2004 | 2.37 billion tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2005 | 2.41 billion tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 2.46 billion tonnes | +1.9% |
| 2007 | 2.50 billion tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2008 | 2.55 billion tonnes | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 2.59 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 2.64 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2011 | 2.68 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2012 | 2.72 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2013 | 2.76 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2014 | 2.80 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2015 | 2.84 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2016 | 2.88 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2017 | 2.92 billion tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 2.95 billion tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2019 | 2.99 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2020 | 3.03 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 3.06 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2022 | 3.09 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2023 | 3.13 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 3.16 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
Switzerland compared with similar countries
- Switzerland's 3.16 billion tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 1.73 billion tonnes, 1.8× the median. (74 countries reporting)
- Switzerland's 3.16 billion tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 2.86 billion tonnes, 1.1× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Cumulative CO₂ emissions in Switzerland 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1859 | +140.0% | 146,560 tonnes | 351,744 tonnes |
| 1860 | +86.5% | 351,744 tonnes | 655,856 tonnes |
| 1861 | +64.8% | 655,856 tonnes | 1.08 million tonnes |
| 1862 | +43.4% | 1.08 million tonnes | 1.55 million tonnes |
| 1863 | +30.3% | 1.55 million tonnes | 2.02 million tonnes |
| 1864 | +28.3% | 2.02 million tonnes | 2.59 million tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 249,152 tonnes | 146,560 tonnes | 351,744 tonnes | 2 |
| 1860s | 3.14 million tonnes | 655,856 tonnes | 6.16 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 12.73 million tonnes | 7.06 million tonnes | 18.85 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 29.08 million tonnes | 20.52 million tonnes | 38.92 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 58.31 million tonnes | 41.80 million tonnes | 77.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 110.38 million tonnes | 83.29 million tonnes | 142.56 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 187.93 million tonnes | 150.34 million tonnes | 219.26 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 257.29 million tonnes | 226.49 million tonnes | 294.83 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 349.20 million tonnes | 304.38 million tonnes | 396.00 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 430.78 million tonnes | 404.31 million tonnes | 462.97 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 532.00 million tonnes | 473.22 million tonnes | 601.10 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 744.03 million tonnes | 620.61 million tonnes | 890.76 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 1.12 billion tonnes | 931.01 million tonnes | 1.31 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 1.52 billion tonnes | 1.35 billion tonnes | 1.70 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.95 billion tonnes | 1.75 billion tonnes | 2.15 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.39 billion tonnes | 2.19 billion tonnes | 2.59 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.82 billion tonnes | 2.64 billion tonnes | 2.99 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.09 billion tonnes | 3.03 billion tonnes | 3.16 billion tonnes | 5 |
Countries ranked near Switzerland
More climate change data for Switzerland
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 72.47 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 6,008 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 1,192 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 4,816 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 4.5 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 171.99 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 476.97 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 472.94 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 4.03 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 1.78 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is cumulative co₂ emissions in Switzerland?
- Cumulative co₂ emissions in Switzerland was 3.16 billion tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cumulative co₂ emissions recorded in Switzerland?
- The highest recorded value was 3.16 billion tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest cumulative co₂ emissions recorded in Switzerland?
- The lowest recorded value was 146,560 tonnes in 1858.
- How does Switzerland rank for cumulative co₂ emissions?
- Switzerland ranks 55th out of 215 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cumulative co₂ emissions rising or falling in Switzerland?
- Over the last ten years it is up 12.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Switzerland data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cumulative CO₂ emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 167 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂), excluding land-use change, since the first year of available data, measured in tonnes.