🇿🇦 South Africa's Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Key Messages

• Emissions: South Africa emitted around 559 megatonnes CO₂e in 2024, about 0.98% of the global total.
• Per person: Emissions were around 8.7 tonnes per person per year, rated very high on a scale where any level above zero adds warming.
• Trend: Emissions fell by around 1.7 megatonnes CO₂e a year over the ten years to 2024, a 0.3% yearly decline-slower than the 4% yearly decline needed globally.
• What drives it: CO₂ made up 79% of emissions, methane 14%, nitrous oxide 3.6% and F-gases 3.6%.
• Historic responsibility: Since 1851, South Africa's emissions have produced around 37,300 megatonnes CO₂e of warming impact, about 0.95% of the global total, or around 11.2 tonnes per person per year.
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