Africa emitted around 49.13 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) from fossil fuel combustion and cement production between 1884 and 2021. The continent has made a small contribution to the global CO2 emissions, which added up to over 1.73 trillion metric tons since the start of the Industrial Revolution in 1750. From a country perspective, the United States and China have been the world's leading CO2 emitters.
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world
(in million metric tons)
emissions from fossil fuels and cement production only
Supplementary notes
Emissions are based on territorial emissions (production-based) and do not account for emissions embedded in trade.
Figures were rounded. Data for Africa only available from 1884 onwards.
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OWID. (November 11, 2022). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world (in million metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 18, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/
OWID. "Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world (in million metric tons)." Chart. November 11, 2022. Statista. Accessed December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/
OWID. (2022). Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world (in million metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 18, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/
OWID. "Cumulative Carbon Dioxide (Co2) Emissions from Fossil Fuel Combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, Compared to The World (in Million Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 11 Nov 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/
OWID, Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world (in million metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/ (last visited December 18, 2024)
Cumulative carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuel combustion in Africa from 1750 to 2021, compared to the world (in million metric tons) [Graph], OWID, November 11, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1307271/cumulative-co2-emissions-in-africa/
