Greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho
Lesotho: Greenhouse gas emissions by gas was 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 1.7%
World rank
150th
of 201 countries
All-time high
800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1999
All-time low
31,734 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
Lesotho recorded 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents for greenhouse gas emissions by gas in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 1.7% on the previous year and down 25.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho peaked at 800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1999 and was at its lowest, 31,734 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places Lesotho 150th out of 201 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.
Greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 31,734 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 32,331 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1852 | 32,914 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1853 | 33,475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1854 | 34,005 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1855 | 34,495 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 34,938 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1857 | 35,323 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 35,643 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 35,890 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1860 | 36,053 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1861 | 36,165 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1862 | 36,264 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1863 | 36,353 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1864 | 36,436 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1865 | 36,515 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1866 | 36,595 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1867 | 36,679 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1868 | 36,769 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1869 | 36,871 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1870 | 36,986 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1871 | 37,545 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1872 | 38,859 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1873 | 40,753 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1874 | 43,051 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1875 | 45,580 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.9% |
| 1876 | 48,164 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1877 | 50,629 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1878 | 52,800 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1879 | 54,502 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1880 | 55,560 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1881 | 56,186 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1882 | 56,720 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1883 | 57,181 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 57,586 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 57,955 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1886 | 58,306 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 58,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1888 | 59,028 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1889 | 59,436 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 62,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1891 | 63,374 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1892 | 64,158 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1893 | 64,982 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1894 | 65,843 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1895 | 66,741 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1896 | 67,673 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1897 | 68,637 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1898 | 69,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1899 | 70,654 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1900 | 71,704 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1901 | 72,786 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1902 | 73,910 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1903 | 75,077 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1904 | 76,290 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1905 | 77,550 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1906 | 78,859 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1907 | 80,220 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1908 | 81,634 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1909 | 83,104 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1910 | 84,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1911 | 86,628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1912 | 89,414 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1913 | 92,850 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1914 | 96,796 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1915 | 101,114 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1916 | 105,666 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1917 | 110,312 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1918 | 114,914 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1919 | 119,332 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1920 | 123,429 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1921 | 127,619 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1922 | 132,278 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1923 | 137,205 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1924 | 142,201 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1925 | 147,068 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1926 | 151,604 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1927 | 155,612 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1928 | 158,891 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1929 | 161,242 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1930 | 162,466 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1931 | 162,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1932 | 162,087 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1933 | 161,024 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1934 | 159,645 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1935 | 158,150 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1936 | 156,739 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1937 | 155,613 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1938 | 154,971 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1939 | 155,013 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 155,939 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1941 | 168,882 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 1942 | 201,582 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +19.4% |
| 1943 | 249,154 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +23.6% |
| 1944 | 306,716 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +23.1% |
| 1945 | 369,383 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +20.4% |
| 1946 | 432,269 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +17.0% |
| 1947 | 490,492 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.5% |
| 1948 | 539,166 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.9% |
| 1949 | 573,408 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.4% |
| 1950 | 588,333 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1951 | 586,440 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1952 | 575,063 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1953 | 556,567 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.2% |
| 1954 | 533,320 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.2% |
| 1955 | 507,688 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.8% |
| 1956 | 482,036 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.1% |
| 1957 | 458,733 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.8% |
| 1958 | 440,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.1% |
| 1959 | 428,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.6% |
| 1960 | 426,574 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1961 | 478,586 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.2% |
| 1962 | 513,221 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1963 | 493,617 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1964 | 472,840 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.2% |
| 1965 | 537,427 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.7% |
| 1966 | 475,932 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.4% |
| 1967 | 540,903 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.7% |
| 1968 | 530,669 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1969 | 574,408 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.2% |
| 1970 | 642,045 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.8% |
| 1971 | 617,834 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1972 | 600,984 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.7% |
| 1973 | 597,960 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1974 | 621,996 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1975 | 625,681 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1976 | 613,168 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.0% |
| 1977 | 564,893 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.9% |
| 1978 | 567,117 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1979 | 585,587 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1980 | 623,628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1981 | 627,173 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1982 | 647,510 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1983 | 633,193 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.2% |
| 1984 | 625,841 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1985 | 655,248 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1986 | 660,388 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1987 | 747,309 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.2% |
| 1988 | 742,077 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1989 | 708,221 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.6% |
| 1990 | 652,762 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.8% |
| 1991 | 644,814 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1992 | 692,920 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1993 | 685,969 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1994 | 678,552 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 1995 | 652,846 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1996 | 661,596 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1997 | 684,409 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1998 | 615,046 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -10.1% |
| 1999 | 800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +30.1% |
| 2000 | 783,387 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2001 | 781,330 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 705,953 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -9.6% |
| 2003 | 725,441 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 2004 | 694,153 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.3% |
| 2005 | 758,242 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.2% |
| 2006 | 745,540 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.7% |
| 2007 | 771,994 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 2008 | 717,871 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.0% |
| 2009 | 730,228 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 2010 | 718,327 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 727,913 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2012 | 718,243 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 672,126 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.4% |
| 2014 | 657,434 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.2% |
| 2015 | 647,798 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.5% |
| 2016 | 632,620 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.3% |
| 2017 | 683,761 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.1% |
| 2018 | 630,918 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.7% |
| 2019 | 576,058 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.7% |
| 2020 | 468,387 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -18.7% |
| 2021 | 518,502 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.7% |
| 2022 | 529,964 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 2023 | 500,297 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.6% |
| 2024 | 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.7% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 3.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 14% of the median. (46 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 5.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 8% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | +30.1% | 615,046 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 34,075 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 31,734 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35,890 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 36,470 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36,053 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36,871 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 44,887 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36,986 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 54,502 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 57,662 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55,560 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 59,436 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 66,432 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 62,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 70,654 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 77,113 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 71,704 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 83,104 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 100,166 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 84,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 119,332 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 143,715 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 123,429 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 161,242 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 158,834 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 154,971 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 162,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 348,699 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 155,939 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 573,408 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 515,696 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 428,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 588,333 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 504,418 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 426,574 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 574,408 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 603,726 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 564,893 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 642,045 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 667,059 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 623,628 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 747,309 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 676,899 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 615,046 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 741,414 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 694,153 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 783,387 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 666,520 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 576,058 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 727,913 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 501,762 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 468,387 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 529,964 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 147 Guyana 536,507 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 148 Liberia 520,217 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 149 Eswatini 502,823 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 151 North Macedonia 457,582 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 152 Hong Kong 442,131 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 153 Cyprus 360,982 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Lesotho
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 6.55 million kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 2,116 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 715.74 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 1,401 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 2.7 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 50.03 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 61.29 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 51.99 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 9.3 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 0.1962 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho?
- Greenhouse gas emissions by gas in Lesotho was 491,658 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest greenhouse gas emissions by gas recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 800,076 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1999.
- What is the lowest greenhouse gas emissions by gas recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 31,734 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Lesotho rank for greenhouse gas emissions by gas?
- Lesotho ranks 150th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is greenhouse gas emissions by gas rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is down 25.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Lesotho data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Greenhouse gas emissions by gas. 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
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.