Nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Nitrous oxide emissions was 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 0.9%
World rank
22nd
of 201 countries
All-time high
45.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1979
All-time low
3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom, 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 United Kingdom is 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 0.9% on the previous year and down 8.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom peaked at 45.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1979 and was at its lowest, 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
United Kingdom ranks 22nd of 201 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 3.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1852 | 3.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1853 | 3.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1854 | 3.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 3.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1856 | 3.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1857 | 3.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 3.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 3.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1860 | 3.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1861 | 3.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1862 | 3.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1863 | 3.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1864 | 3.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1865 | 3.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1866 | 3.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1867 | 3.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1868 | 3.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1869 | 3.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1870 | 3.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1871 | 3.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1872 | 4.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1873 | 4.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1874 | 4.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1875 | 4.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1876 | 4.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1877 | 5.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1878 | 5.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1879 | 5.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1880 | 5.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1881 | 5.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1882 | 5.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1883 | 5.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 5.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 5.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1886 | 5.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 5.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1888 | 5.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1889 | 5.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 5.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.5% |
| 1891 | 5.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.5% |
| 1892 | 6.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 1893 | 6.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 1894 | 7.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1895 | 7.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1896 | 7.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1897 | 7.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1898 | 7.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1899 | 8.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1900 | 8.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1901 | 8.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1902 | 8.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1903 | 8.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1904 | 8.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1905 | 8.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1906 | 7.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1907 | 7.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1908 | 7.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 1909 | 7.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1910 | 7.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1911 | 7.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1912 | 7.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1913 | 8.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1914 | 8.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1915 | 8.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1916 | 8.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1917 | 8.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1918 | 8.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1919 | 8.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1920 | 8.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1921 | 8.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1922 | 8.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1923 | 8.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1924 | 8.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1925 | 9.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1926 | 9.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1927 | 9.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1928 | 9.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1929 | 9.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1930 | 9.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1931 | 9.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1932 | 10.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1933 | 10.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1934 | 10.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1935 | 10.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1936 | 10.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1937 | 10.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1938 | 10.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1939 | 10.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1940 | 10.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1941 | 11.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1942 | 12.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.0% |
| 1943 | 13.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.8% |
| 1944 | 15.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.9% |
| 1945 | 16.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.6% |
| 1946 | 18.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.5% |
| 1947 | 20.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.8% |
| 1948 | 21.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 1949 | 22.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1950 | 23.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1951 | 23.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1952 | 23.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1953 | 23.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1954 | 24.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1955 | 24.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1956 | 24.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1957 | 25.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1958 | 25.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1959 | 25.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1960 | 26.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1961 | 27.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1962 | 27.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1963 | 28.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1964 | 28.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1965 | 29.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1966 | 30.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1967 | 31.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1968 | 31.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1969 | 30.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 1970 | 30.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1971 | 31.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 31.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1973 | 33.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1974 | 37.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +13.1% |
| 1975 | 41.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.1% |
| 1976 | 45.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.5% |
| 1977 | 44.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1978 | 44.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1979 | 45.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1980 | 43.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.1% |
| 1981 | 44.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1982 | 44.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1983 | 44.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 1984 | 44.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 1985 | 43.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1986 | 44.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 42.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.1% |
| 1988 | 41.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.8% |
| 1989 | 41.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1990 | 39.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1991 | 38.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1992 | 37.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1993 | 37.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1994 | 37.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1995 | 37.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1996 | 37.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1997 | 36.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.8% |
| 1998 | 36.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1999 | 37.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 2000 | 35.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.1% |
| 2001 | 34.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 2002 | 34.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 2003 | 33.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 2004 | 33.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 2005 | 32.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.2% |
| 2006 | 31.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.3% |
| 2007 | 31.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 2008 | 30.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 2009 | 29.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.4% |
| 2010 | 29.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 2011 | 29.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 2012 | 29.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 2013 | 29.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 30.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 2015 | 30.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 2016 | 30.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 2017 | 30.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2018 | 30.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 2019 | 30.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 28.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.5% |
| 2021 | 29.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 28.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.7% |
| 2023 | 28.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2024 | 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 11.0× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 3.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 7.0× the median. (50 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 3.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 3.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 4.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 5.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 7.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 8.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 7.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 8.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 7.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 9.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 10.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 16.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 22.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 24.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 25.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 29.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 26.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 31.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 38.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 45.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 43.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 41.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 44.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 37.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 39.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 32.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 29.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 30.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 29.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 28.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 29.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
- 19 Chad 30.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 20 Vietnam 30.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 21 Sudan 28.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 23 Poland 26.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 24 Tanzania 26.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 25 Colombia 23.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for United Kingdom
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 37,706 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 8,697 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 29,008 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 32.82 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,036 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 7,083 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 7,027 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 55.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 26.52 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 2 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom?
- Nitrous oxide emissions in United Kingdom was 28.06 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 45.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1979.
- What is the lowest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does United Kingdom rank for nitrous oxide emissions?
- United Kingdom ranks 22nd out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 8.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.