Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions in India have soared in recent decades, climbing from roughly 0.4 metric tons in 1970 to a high of 2.07 metric tons in 2023. This was an increase of 6.7 percent in comparison to 2022 levels. Total CO₂ emissions in India also reached a record high in 2023.
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 power accounts for the largest share of greenhouse gas emissions in India, followed by agriculture.
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. India's CO₂ emissions from coal totaled more than 1.8 billion metric tons in 2022, a fivefold increase from 1990 levels.
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2023
(in metric tons)
Characteristic
CO₂ emissions in metric tons per capita
2023
2.07
2022
1.94
2021
1.82
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
0.38
1971
0.38
1970
0.39
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EDGAR/JRC. (September 5, 2024). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2023 (in metric tons) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved November 21, 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 2023 (in metric tons)." Chart. September 5, 2024. Statista. Accessed November 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
EDGAR/JRC. (2024). Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2023 (in metric tons). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: November 21, 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 2023 (in Metric Tons)." Statista, Statista Inc., 5 Sep 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 2023 (in metric tons) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/ (last visited November 21, 2024)
Per capita carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from fossil fuels in India from 1970 to 2023 (in metric tons) [Graph], EDGAR/JRC, September 5, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/606019/co2-emissions-india/
