Nitrous oxide emissions in China
China: Nitrous oxide emissions was 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 0.8%
World rank
1st
of 201 countries
All-time high
475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2024
All-time low
5.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Nitrous oxide emissions in China, 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 nitrous oxide emissions in China is 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.8% on the previous year and up 2.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nitrous oxide emissions in China peaked at 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 and was at its lowest, 5.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places China 1st out of 201 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Nitrous oxide emissions in China, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 5.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 5.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 6.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1853 | 6.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 6.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 6.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1856 | 6.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1857 | 6.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1858 | 6.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 6.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1860 | 6.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 6.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1862 | 6.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1863 | 6.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1864 | 6.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1865 | 6.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1866 | 6.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1867 | 6.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1868 | 6.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1869 | 6.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1870 | 6.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1871 | 7.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1872 | 7.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1873 | 7.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1874 | 7.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1875 | 8.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1876 | 8.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1877 | 8.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1878 | 8.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1879 | 9.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1880 | 9.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1881 | 9.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1882 | 9.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 9.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 9.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 9.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1886 | 9.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 9.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1888 | 9.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1889 | 9.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 10.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1891 | 10.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1892 | 10.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1893 | 10.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1894 | 11.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1895 | 11.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1896 | 11.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1897 | 11.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1898 | 11.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1899 | 12.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1900 | 12.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1901 | 12.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1902 | 12.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1903 | 13.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1904 | 13.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1905 | 13.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1906 | 13.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1907 | 14.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1908 | 14.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1909 | 14.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1910 | 14.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1911 | 15.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1912 | 15.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1913 | 15.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1914 | 16.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1915 | 16.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1916 | 16.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1917 | 17.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1918 | 17.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1919 | 18.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1920 | 18.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1921 | 18.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1922 | 19.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1923 | 19.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1924 | 19.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1925 | 20.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1926 | 20.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1927 | 21.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1928 | 21.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1929 | 21.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1930 | 22.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1931 | 22.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1932 | 23.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1933 | 24.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1934 | 24.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1935 | 25.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1936 | 25.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1937 | 26.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1938 | 27.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1939 | 28.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1940 | 28.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1941 | 29.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1942 | 31.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1943 | 33.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1944 | 36.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1945 | 38.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.3% |
| 1946 | 41.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.1% |
| 1947 | 44.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1948 | 46.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1949 | 49.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1950 | 51.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1951 | 53.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1952 | 55.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1953 | 58.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1954 | 61.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1955 | 65.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1956 | 68.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1957 | 71.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1958 | 75.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1959 | 78.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1960 | 81.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1961 | 85.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1962 | 88.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1963 | 93.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.1% |
| 1964 | 101.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.1% |
| 1965 | 108.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.4% |
| 1966 | 118.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.0% |
| 1967 | 118.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 122.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1969 | 126.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1970 | 133.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1971 | 137.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1972 | 144.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1973 | 151.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1974 | 151.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1975 | 160.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1976 | 160.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1977 | 177.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.3% |
| 1978 | 195.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.3% |
| 1979 | 206.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1980 | 219.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1981 | 213.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.0% |
| 1982 | 219.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1983 | 232.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1984 | 244.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1985 | 237.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.0% |
| 1986 | 240.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1987 | 268.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.3% |
| 1988 | 280.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1989 | 288.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1990 | 298.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1991 | 305.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1992 | 311.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1993 | 307.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1994 | 319.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1995 | 365.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.2% |
| 1996 | 384.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1997 | 359.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.5% |
| 1998 | 368.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 380.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 2000 | 372.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.2% |
| 2001 | 371.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 2002 | 388.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 2003 | 398.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 2004 | 418.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 2005 | 435.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 2006 | 447.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 2007 | 458.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 2008 | 462.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 2009 | 441.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.5% |
| 2010 | 447.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2011 | 453.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2012 | 460.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2013 | 461.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 464.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 2015 | 466.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 2016 | 466.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2017 | 463.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 2018 | 461.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 2019 | 453.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 2020 | 455.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 465.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 464.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 2023 | 471.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 2024 | 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 2.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 189.6× the median. (58 countries reporting)
- China's 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 302.4× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 6.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 6.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 7.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 6.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 9.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 11.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 13.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 16.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 20.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 21.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 25.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 22.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 28.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 38.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 28.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 49.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 64.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 51.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 78.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 104.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 81.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 126.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 161.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 133.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 206.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 244.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 213.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 288.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 340.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 298.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 384.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 419.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 371.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 462.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 460.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 447.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 466.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 466.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 455.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More climate change data for China
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 31.25 billion kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 604,831 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 191,478 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 413,353 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 722.56 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 14,763 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 342,069 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 200,605 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 141,464 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 757 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is nitrous oxide emissions in China?
- Nitrous oxide emissions in China was 475.53 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 nitrous oxide emissions recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 475.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024.
- What is the lowest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does China rank for nitrous oxide emissions?
- China ranks 1st out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 2.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Nitrous oxide 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.