Methane emissions in Hong Kong
Hong Kong: Methane emissions was 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Methane emissions in Hong Kong, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for methane emissions in Hong Kong is 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
That represents a change of up 0.9% on the previous year and up 10.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Hong Kong peaked at 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 and was at its lowest, 6,074 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
Hong Kong ranks 130th of 199 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.
Methane emissions in Hong Kong, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 6,074 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 6,879 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.2% |
| 1852 | 7,707 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.0% |
| 1853 | 8,539 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.8% |
| 1854 | 9,375 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.8% |
| 1855 | 10,215 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.0% |
| 1856 | 11,060 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 1857 | 11,910 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.7% |
| 1858 | 12,768 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1859 | 13,632 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 1860 | 14,505 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.4% |
| 1861 | 15,388 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.1% |
| 1862 | 16,189 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1863 | 16,991 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1864 | 17,792 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1865 | 18,594 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1866 | 19,396 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1867 | 20,207 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1868 | 21,018 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1869 | 21,829 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1870 | 22,641 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1871 | 23,460 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1872 | 24,288 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1873 | 25,116 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1874 | 25,945 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1875 | 26,775 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1876 | 27,604 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1877 | 28,439 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1878 | 29,274 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1879 | 30,110 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1880 | 30,947 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1881 | 31,784 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1882 | 32,637 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 33,492 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1884 | 34,349 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1885 | 35,208 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1886 | 36,070 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1887 | 36,899 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1888 | 37,730 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1889 | 38,560 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1890 | 39,391 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1891 | 41,061 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1892 | 42,731 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1893 | 44,402 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1894 | 46,074 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1895 | 47,746 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1896 | 49,419 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1897 | 51,139 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1898 | 52,863 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1899 | 54,592 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1900 | 56,326 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1901 | 59,383 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1902 | 62,503 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1903 | 65,613 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1904 | 68,713 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1905 | 71,804 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1906 | 74,884 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1907 | 77,978 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1908 | 81,062 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1909 | 84,138 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1910 | 87,206 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1911 | 89,983 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1912 | 92,841 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1913 | 96,067 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1914 | 98,874 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1915 | 101,676 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1916 | 104,475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1917 | 107,271 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1918 | 110,062 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1919 | 112,850 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1920 | 115,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1921 | 118,315 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1922 | 121,183 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1923 | 124,134 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1924 | 127,292 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1925 | 126,432 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1926 | 129,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1927 | 131,958 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1928 | 134,706 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1929 | 137,445 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1930 | 140,174 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1931 | 156,394 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.6% |
| 1932 | 172,559 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.3% |
| 1933 | 188,671 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.3% |
| 1934 | 204,728 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.5% |
| 1935 | 220,732 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.8% |
| 1936 | 237,352 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1937 | 254,011 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.0% |
| 1938 | 270,709 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1939 | 287,445 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.2% |
| 1940 | 305,133 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.2% |
| 1941 | 316,105 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1942 | 327,238 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1943 | 338,534 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1944 | 349,991 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1945 | 369,431 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1946 | 389,585 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1947 | 410,463 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1948 | 432,077 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1949 | 454,440 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1950 | 483,231 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.3% |
| 1951 | 518,662 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.3% |
| 1952 | 564,260 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.8% |
| 1953 | 617,359 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.4% |
| 1954 | 674,866 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.3% |
| 1955 | 734,991 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.9% |
| 1956 | 797,051 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.4% |
| 1957 | 860,123 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.9% |
| 1958 | 925,800 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.6% |
| 1959 | 998,515 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.9% |
| 1960 | 1.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.1% |
| 1961 | 1.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.4% |
| 1962 | 1.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.6% |
| 1963 | 1.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.0% |
| 1964 | 1.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1965 | 1.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1966 | 1.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1967 | 1.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1968 | 1.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1969 | 1.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1970 | 1.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1971 | 2.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.6% |
| 1972 | 2.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1973 | 2.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1974 | 2.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1975 | 2.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1976 | 2.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1977 | 2.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1978 | 2.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1979 | 2.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 2.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1981 | 2.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1982 | 2.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1983 | 2.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 2.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1985 | 2.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1986 | 3.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1987 | 3.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1988 | 3.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1989 | 3.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1990 | 3.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1991 | 3.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1992 | 3.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1993 | 3.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1994 | 3.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1995 | 3.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1996 | 3.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1997 | 3.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1998 | 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1999 | 4.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 2000 | 4.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 2001 | 4.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2002 | 4.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 2003 | 4.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 2004 | 4.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 2005 | 4.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2006 | 4.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 4.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 4.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 2010 | 4.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 4.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 4.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 4.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 4.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2015 | 4.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 4.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2017 | 4.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2018 | 4.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2019 | 4.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 4.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2021 | 5.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2022 | 5.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2023 | 5.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2024 | 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
Hong Kong compared with similar countries
- Hong Kong's 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for high income countries, which is 8.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 61% of the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Hong Kong's 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 5.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 89% of the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 9,816 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6,074 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13,632 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 18,191 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14,505 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 21,829 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 26,365 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 22,641 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30,110 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 34,768 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30,947 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 38,560 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 46,942 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 39,391 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 54,592 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 70,240 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 56,326 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 84,138 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 100,130 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 87,206 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 112,850 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 126,630 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 115,635 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 137,445 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 213,278 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 140,174 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 287,445 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 369,300 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 305,133 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 454,440 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 717,486 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 483,231 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 998,515 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 1.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 2.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 3.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 4.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 4.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 4.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Hong Kong
- 127 Costa Rica 5.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 128 Sierra Leone 5.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 129 Trinidad and Tobago 5.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 131 Rwanda 4.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 132 Eritrea 4.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 133 Burundi 4.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Hong Kong
- Spring temperature anomalies 1.42 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies 0.441 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.2868 °C (2026)
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.0% (2100)
- Population, total, annual growth rate -0.3349 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population, total, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, annual growth rate -0.3349 % change on previous year (2025)
- Urban population, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Urban population, per capita 1 units per person (2025)
- Precipitation anomalies, annual growth rate -76.56 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Hong Kong?
- Methane emissions in Hong Kong was 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Hong Kong?
- The highest recorded value was 5.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Hong Kong?
- The lowest recorded value was 6,074 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Hong Kong rank for methane emissions?
- Hong Kong ranks 130th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Hong Kong?
- Over the last ten years it is up 10.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Hong Kong data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. 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.