Greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia
Zambia: Greenhouse gas emissions by sector was 680,000 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia, 1990–2023
Source: Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia stood at 680,000 tonnes. That is the highest value across all 34 years on record.
The figure is up 9.7% on the previous year and up 183.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia peaked at 680,000 tonnes in 2023 and was at its lowest, 40,000 tonnes, in 2004.
Zambia ranks 67th of 176 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.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 74,000 tonnes | 50,000 tonnes | 140,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 77,000 tonnes | 40,000 tonnes | 150,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 255,000 tonnes | 120,000 tonnes | 410,000 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 570,000 tonnes | 480,000 tonnes | 680,000 tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Zambia
More climate change data for Zambia
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.6% (2100)
- Population growth 2.8% (2025)
- Population, total 21.91 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 3.7% (2025)
- Urban population 10.06 million (2025)
- Urban population 45.9% (2025)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita 0.565 tonnes per person (2024)
- Cumulative CO₂ emissions 300.84 million tonnes (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita 0.565 tonnes per person (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. share of electricity generation from renewables 0.565 tonnes per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia?
- Greenhouse gas emissions by sector in Zambia was 680,000 tonnes in 2023, according to Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest greenhouse gas emissions by sector recorded in Zambia?
- The highest recorded value was 680,000 tonnes in 2023.
- What is the lowest greenhouse gas emissions by sector recorded in Zambia?
- The lowest recorded value was 40,000 tonnes in 2004.
- How does Zambia rank for greenhouse gas emissions by sector?
- Zambia ranks 67th out of 176 countries with data for 2023.
- Is greenhouse gas emissions by sector rising or falling in Zambia?
- Over the last ten years it is up 183.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Zambia data come from?
- The figures come from Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Greenhouse gas emissions by sector. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Emissions are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents.