Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho
Lesotho: Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry was 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 2.1%
World rank
157th
of 198 countries
All-time high
3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2021
All-time low
35,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho, 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 total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho is 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.1% on the previous year and up 9.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho peaked at 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2021 and was at its lowest, 35,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places Lesotho 157th out of 198 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 35,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 35,650 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1852 | 36,157 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1853 | 36,665 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 37,172 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1855 | 37,678 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1856 | 38,181 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1857 | 38,680 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1858 | 39,174 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1859 | 39,661 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1860 | 40,141 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1861 | 40,715 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1862 | 41,292 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1863 | 41,871 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1864 | 42,454 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1865 | 43,040 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1866 | 43,631 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1867 | 44,227 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1868 | 44,828 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1869 | 45,436 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1870 | 46,049 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1871 | 46,794 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1872 | 47,647 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1873 | 48,585 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1874 | 49,584 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1875 | 50,619 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1876 | 51,667 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1877 | 52,704 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1878 | 53,704 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1879 | 54,646 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1880 | 55,504 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1881 | 56,394 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1882 | 57,276 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1883 | 58,154 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1884 | 59,030 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1885 | 59,906 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1886 | 60,785 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1887 | 61,671 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1888 | 62,564 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1889 | 63,469 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1890 | 65,315 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1891 | 66,566 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1892 | 67,844 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1893 | 69,148 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1894 | 70,476 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1895 | 71,827 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1896 | 72,975 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1897 | 74,140 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1898 | 75,322 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1899 | 76,519 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1900 | 77,731 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1901 | 79,942 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1902 | 82,232 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1903 | 84,586 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1904 | 86,983 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1905 | 89,915 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1906 | 92,888 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1907 | 95,885 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1908 | 98,890 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1909 | 101,884 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1910 | 104,852 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1911 | 108,425 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1912 | 112,037 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 115,683 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1914 | 119,371 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1915 | 123,108 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1916 | 126,903 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1917 | 130,763 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1918 | 134,694 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1919 | 138,706 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1920 | 142,806 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1921 | 147,629 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1922 | 151,432 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1923 | 155,252 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1924 | 159,095 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1925 | 162,969 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1926 | 166,881 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1927 | 170,838 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1928 | 174,847 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1929 | 178,915 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1930 | 183,049 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1931 | 188,269 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1932 | 193,713 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1933 | 199,352 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1934 | 205,158 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1935 | 211,102 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1936 | 217,156 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1937 | 224,415 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1938 | 231,778 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1939 | 239,219 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1940 | 246,710 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1941 | 252,552 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1942 | 258,602 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1943 | 264,847 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1944 | 271,273 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1945 | 278,261 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1946 | 285,329 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1947 | 292,408 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1948 | 299,522 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1949 | 306,652 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1950 | 313,778 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1951 | 318,241 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1952 | 322,930 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1953 | 327,748 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1954 | 332,602 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1955 | 337,377 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1956 | 341,940 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1957 | 346,205 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1958 | 350,107 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1959 | 353,563 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1960 | 356,490 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1961 | 361,609 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1962 | 366,475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1963 | 371,146 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1964 | 375,668 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1965 | 380,089 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1966 | 384,701 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1967 | 390,452 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1968 | 396,552 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1969 | 403,054 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1970 | 415,052 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1971 | 417,068 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1972 | 420,390 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1973 | 412,709 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.8% |
| 1974 | 414,475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1975 | 434,965 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1976 | 441,282 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1977 | 442,438 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1978 | 444,747 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1979 | 452,526 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1980 | 461,946 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1981 | 471,249 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1982 | 475,423 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1983 | 492,963 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1984 | 493,905 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1985 | 503,256 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1986 | 511,059 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1987 | 518,964 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1988 | 516,271 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1989 | 522,574 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1990 | 2.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +311.4% |
| 1991 | 2.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1992 | 2.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1993 | 2.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1994 | 2.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1995 | 2.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1996 | 2.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1997 | 2.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1998 | 2.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1999 | 2.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 2000 | 2.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 2001 | 2.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 2002 | 2.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2003 | 2.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 2.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 2005 | 2.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 2006 | 2.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2007 | 2.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 2008 | 2.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 2009 | 3.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 2010 | 3.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 2011 | 3.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.2% |
| 2012 | 3.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 2013 | 3.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -18.3% |
| 2014 | 3.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 2015 | 2.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.8% |
| 2016 | 2.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 2017 | 3.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.7% |
| 2018 | 3.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.1% |
| 2019 | 3.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2020 | 2.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.5% |
| 2021 | 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +38.2% |
| 2022 | 3.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -13.6% |
| 2023 | 3.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 2024 | 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
Lesotho compared with similar countries
- Lesotho's 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 20.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 16% of the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Lesotho's 3.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 34% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | +311.4% | 522,574 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 2021 | +38.2% | 2.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 37,416 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 35,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 39,661 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 42,764 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 40,141 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 45,436 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 50,200 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 46,049 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 54,646 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 59,475 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55,504 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 63,469 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 71,013 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 65,315 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 76,519 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 89,094 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 77,731 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 101,884 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 121,454 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 104,852 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 138,706 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 161,066 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 142,806 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 178,915 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 209,321 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 183,049 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 239,219 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 275,616 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 246,710 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 306,652 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 334,449 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 313,778 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 353,563 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 378,624 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 356,490 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 403,054 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 429,565 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 412,709 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 452,526 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 496,761 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 461,946 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 522,574 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 2.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Lesotho
- 154 Suriname 3.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 155 Liberia 3.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 156 Bahamas 3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 158 Central African Republic 3.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 159 Montenegro 2.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 160 Maldives 2.54 million 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 total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho?
- Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry in Lesotho was 3.42 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 total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry recorded in Lesotho?
- The highest recorded value was 3.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2021.
- What is the lowest total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry recorded in Lesotho?
- The lowest recorded value was 35,144 tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Lesotho rank for total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry?
- Lesotho ranks 157th out of 198 countries with data for 2024.
- Is total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry rising or falling in Lesotho?
- Over the last ten years it is up 9.7%. 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 Total greenhouse gas emissions, excluding land use and forestry. 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
Greenhouse gas emissions are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.