Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India have soared in recent decades, climbing from 0.39 metric tons in 1970 to a high of 1.91 metric tons in 2022. This was an increase of 5.5 percent in comparison to 2021 levels. Total CO₂ emissions in India also reached a record high in 2022.
Greenhouse gas emissions in India
India is one of the world's biggest CO₂ emitters, behind only China and the United States. Among the various economic sectors of the country, the electricity and heat sector accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in India, at roughly 35 percent. Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide absorb infrared radiation and trap heat and keep the earth’s surface warm.
Coal emissions
One of the main reasons for India's high emissions is the country's reliance on coal, the most polluting of fossil fuels. In 2021, India's CO₂ emissions from coal totaled more than 1.8 billion metric tons. This represented more than 70 percent of India's total emissions that year.
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022
(in metric tons)
Characteristic
CO₂ emissions in metric tons per capita
2022
1.91
2021
1.81
2020
1.68
2019
1.86
2018
1.9
2017
1.82
2016
1.74
2015
1.73
2014
1.73
2013
1.63
2012
1.6
2011
1.48
2010
1.42
2009
1.35
2008
1.26
2007
1.2
2006
1.12
2005
1.06
2004
1.04
2003
0.98
2002
0.96
2001
0.94
2000
0.95
1999
0.93
1998
0.89
1997
0.88
1996
0.85
1995
0.83
1994
0.79
1993
0.76
1992
0.74
1991
0.73
1990
0.69
1989
0.67
1988
0.64
1987
0.61
1986
0.59
1985
0.55
1984
0.54
1983
0.5
1982
0.48
1981
0.47
1980
0.44
1979
0.43
1978
0.41
1977
0.42
1976
0.43
1975
0.41
1974
0.39
1973
0.37
1972
0.39
1971
0.38
1970
0.39
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EDGAR/JRC. (September 8, 2023). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
EDGAR/JRC. "Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons)." Chart. September 8, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
EDGAR/JRC. (2023). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
EDGAR/JRC. "Per Capita Carbon Dioxide (Co₂) Emissions from Fossil Fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 8 Sep 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
EDGAR/JRC, Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2022 (in metric tons) [Graph], EDGAR/JRC, September 8, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/