UK CO2 & Carbon Emissions Statistics — 365 Million Tonnes a Year
The UK emits approximately 365 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year according to DEFRA. Watch carbon emissions tick in real time.
The UK emitted approximately 380 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (MtCO2e) in 2023, according to the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ).
UK greenhouse gas emissions have fallen by approximately 50% since the 1990 baseline — the UK was the first major economy to halve its emissions.
The power sector has seen the sharpest reductions, with coal generation falling from 67% of electricity in 1990 to less than 1% in 2024.
About These Statistics
The UK emits approximately 365 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year, according to DEFRA and BEIS UK Greenhouse Gas Emissions Statistics. This equates to approximately 1 million tonnes every day. The UK has committed to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 under the Climate Change Act 2008 (as amended).
UK emissions have fallen by over 50% since 1990, one of the largest reductions of any major economy. The biggest driver of this reduction has been the rapid decarbonisation of electricity generation, moving from predominantly coal-fired power to a mix of gas, nuclear, wind and solar. Coal's share of electricity generation fell from approximately 40% in 2012 to under 2% by 2023.
The Climate Change Committee (CCC) provides independent advice to the UK government on climate targets and publishes annual progress reports. The UK's carbon budgets set legally binding limits on greenhouse gas emissions for successive five-year periods. The UK is broadly on track for near-term carbon budgets but the CCC has warned that additional policies are needed to meet the 2035 and 2050 targets.
Transport is the largest single sector for UK emissions, accounting for approximately 28% of total greenhouse gas emissions. Road transport dominates within the transport sector. The government has set a target to end the sale of new petrol and diesel cars by 2035, with electric vehicle sales growing rapidly though still representing a minority of new registrations.
Per capita, the UK emits approximately 5.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person per year — below the average for developed OECD countries and significantly below the United States (approximately 14 tonnes per capita) but above the global average of approximately 4.7 tonnes. Consumption-based emissions — which include emissions embedded in imported goods — are higher than territorial emissions.
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Based on official UK government data
How much CO2 does the UK emit per year?
The UK emits approximately 365 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year according to DEFRA and BEIS greenhouse gas statistics — approximately 1 million tonnes per day. This represents a reduction of over 50% since 1990, one of the largest falls of any major economy, driven primarily by decarbonisation of electricity generation.
Is the UK on track for net zero by 2050?
The Climate Change Committee has assessed that the UK has made significant progress toward its 2050 net zero target but requires additional policy action, particularly in sectors including surface transport, heat in buildings and agriculture. The UK is broadly on track for near-term carbon budgets. The 2035 target of a 78% reduction from 1990 levels requires accelerated action across all sectors.
How much CO2 does the average UK person produce?
The average UK person produces approximately 5.5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per year on a territorial emissions basis, according to DEFRA statistics. On a consumption basis — which includes emissions from imported goods — the figure is higher at approximately 8-10 tonnes per person. This compares to a global average of approximately 4.7 tonnes and a US figure of approximately 14 tonnes per capita.