How does South Africa rank globally on Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)?

In 2024, South Africa ranked #131 out of 201 countries reporting Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990).

South Africa: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)

Name: South Africa: Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)
Creator: World Bank
License: https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/public-licenses#cc-by

In 2024, South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) was 40.08.

That's up 11.4% from 2023, the highest value since 2021.

The global average for this indicator in 2024 was 621.62 . South Africa ranks #131 globally out of 201 reporting countries. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #43 of 47.

Source: World Bank Open Data (EN.GHG.CO2.ZG.AR5) • Data as of 2024

Trend (2005–2024)

Highlights

Peak: 55.28; 2008
Trough: 35.98; 2023
1-year change: +11.4%
5-year change: -22.9%; -5.1% / yr
10-year change: -26.9%; -3.1% / yr

Historical Data — Last 10 Years

Year	Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)
2024	40.0850
2023	35.9792
2022	36.6352
2021	42.7569
2020	43.4883
2019	51.9803
2018	50.6670
2017	49.4465
2016	46.4590
2015	47.1183

About Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)

Change of emissions (as %) of current year with respect to emissions in baseline year 1990 emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the agriculture, energy, waste, and industrial sectors, excluding LULUCF.. The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5). Negative values indicate that the emission level for that year is lower than the emissions level in 1990.

Indicator code: EN.GHG.CO2.ZG.AR5 • Category: Environment

Environmental data note: Environmental indicators like CO2 emissions often lag by 2–3 years due to the complexity of data collection. Values represent actual measured or estimated emissions, not policy targets.

Frequently asked questions

What was South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) in 2024?: In 2024, South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) was 40.08, according to World Bank Open Data.
Is South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) rising or falling?: South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) rose 11.4% from 2023 to 2024.
How does South Africa rank globally on Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990)?: In 2024, South Africa ranked #131 out of 201 countries reporting Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990).
How does South Africa's Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) compare to the world average?: The global average for Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) in 2024 was 621.62, so South Africa is below the world average. Within Sub-Saharan Africa, it ranks #43 of 47.
What is Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (% change from 1990) and how is it measured?: Change of emissions (as %) of current year with respect to emissions in baseline year 1990 emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2), one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the agriculture, energy, waste, and industrial sectors, excluding LULUCF.. The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5). Negative values indicate that the emission level for that year is lower than the emissions level in 1990.

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Source: World Bank Open Data (EN.GHG.CO2.ZG.AR5), CC BY 4.0.