Emissions of air pollutants in Greenland
Greenland: Emissions of air pollutants was 12.54 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
12.54 tonnes
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
216th
of 220 countries
All-time high
12.62 tonnes
in 2013
All-time low
0.1625 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in Greenland, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Greenland recorded 12.54 tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
The figure is down 0.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Greenland peaked at 12.62 tonnes in 2013 and was at its lowest, 0.1625 tonnes, in 1750.
Greenland ranks 216th of 220 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in Greenland, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 0.1625 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 0.1644 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1752 | 0.1662 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1753 | 0.1681 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1754 | 0.1699 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1755 | 0.1717 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1756 | 0.1736 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1757 | 0.1754 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1758 | 0.1772 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1759 | 0.179 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1760 | 0.1808 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1761 | 0.1828 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1762 | 0.1849 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1763 | 0.1869 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1764 | 0.189 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1765 | 0.191 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1766 | 0.193 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1767 | 0.195 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1768 | 0.1971 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1769 | 0.1991 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1770 | 0.2011 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1771 | 0.2033 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1772 | 0.2056 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1773 | 0.2079 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1774 | 0.2101 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1775 | 0.2124 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1776 | 0.2147 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1777 | 0.2169 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1778 | 0.2191 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1779 | 0.2214 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1780 | 0.2236 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1781 | 0.2261 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1782 | 0.2286 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1783 | 0.2312 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1784 | 0.2337 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1785 | 0.2362 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1786 | 0.2387 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1787 | 0.2412 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1788 | 0.2436 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1789 | 0.2461 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1790 | 0.2486 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1791 | 0.2514 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1792 | 0.2542 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1793 | 0.257 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1794 | 0.2598 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1795 | 0.2626 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1796 | 0.2653 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1797 | 0.2681 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1798 | 0.2709 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1799 | 0.2736 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1800 | 0.2764 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1801 | 0.2802 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1802 | 0.2841 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1803 | 0.2879 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1804 | 0.2918 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1805 | 0.2957 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1806 | 0.2996 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1807 | 0.3035 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1808 | 0.3074 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1809 | 0.3113 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1810 | 0.3153 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1811 | 0.3197 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1812 | 0.3241 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1813 | 0.3285 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1814 | 0.3329 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1815 | 0.3373 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1816 | 0.3418 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1817 | 0.3462 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1818 | 0.3507 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1819 | 0.3551 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1820 | 0.3596 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1821 | 0.3646 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1822 | 0.3696 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1823 | 0.3747 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1824 | 0.3797 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1825 | 0.3847 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1826 | 0.3898 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1827 | 0.3949 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1828 | 0.3999 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1829 | 0.405 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1830 | 0.4101 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1831 | 0.4158 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1832 | 0.4215 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1833 | 0.4273 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1834 | 0.433 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1835 | 0.4387 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1836 | 0.4445 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1837 | 0.4502 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1838 | 0.456 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1839 | 0.4618 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1840 | 0.4677 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1841 | 0.4741 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1842 | 0.4806 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1843 | 0.4871 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1844 | 0.4937 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1845 | 0.5002 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1846 | 0.5068 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1847 | 0.5133 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1848 | 0.5199 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1849 | 0.5265 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1850 | 0.5331 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1851 | 0.5405 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1852 | 0.5479 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1853 | 0.5553 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1854 | 0.5628 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1855 | 0.5702 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1856 | 0.5777 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1857 | 0.5851 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1858 | 0.5926 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1859 | 0.6002 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1860 | 0.6077 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1861 | 0.6182 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1862 | 0.6288 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1863 | 0.6395 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1864 | 0.6503 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1865 | 0.6611 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1866 | 0.672 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1867 | 0.683 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1868 | 0.694 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1869 | 0.7052 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1870 | 0.7164 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1871 | 0.7287 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1872 | 0.741 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1873 | 0.7534 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1874 | 0.766 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1875 | 0.7785 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1876 | 0.7912 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1877 | 0.804 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1878 | 0.8168 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1879 | 0.8297 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1880 | 0.8428 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1881 | 0.857 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1882 | 0.8714 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1883 | 0.8858 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1884 | 0.9003 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1885 | 0.915 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1886 | 0.9297 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1887 | 0.9445 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1888 | 0.9594 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1889 | 0.9744 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1890 | 0.9895 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1891 | 1.01 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1892 | 1.02 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1893 | 1.04 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1894 | 1.06 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1895 | 1.07 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1896 | 1.09 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1897 | 1.11 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1898 | 1.12 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1899 | 1.14 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1900 | 1.16 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1901 | 1.22 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1902 | 1.28 tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1903 | 1.34 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1904 | 1.4 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1905 | 1.46 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1906 | 1.52 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1907 | 1.58 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1908 | 1.64 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1909 | 1.69 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1910 | 1.75 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1911 | 1.81 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1912 | 1.87 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1913 | 1.93 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1914 | 1.99 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1915 | 2.04 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1916 | 2.1 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1917 | 2.16 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1918 | 2.21 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1919 | 2.26 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1920 | 2.32 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1921 | 2.36 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1922 | 2.41 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1923 | 2.45 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1924 | 2.49 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1925 | 2.58 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1926 | 2.65 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1927 | 2.7 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1928 | 2.74 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1929 | 2.76 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1930 | 2.78 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1931 | 2.81 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1932 | 2.83 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1933 | 2.84 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1934 | 2.84 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1935 | 2.84 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1936 | 2.85 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1937 | 2.85 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1938 | 2.85 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1939 | 2.84 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1940 | 2.87 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1941 | 2.88 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1942 | 2.89 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1943 | 2.89 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1944 | 2.91 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1945 | 2.93 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1946 | 2.96 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1947 | 3.01 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1948 | 3.06 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1949 | 3.12 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1950 | 3.18 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1951 | 3.29 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1952 | 3.39 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1953 | 3.5 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1954 | 3.61 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1955 | 3.73 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1956 | 3.87 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1957 | 4.05 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1958 | 4.26 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1959 | 4.49 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1960 | 4.59 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 4.73 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1962 | 5.08 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1963 | 5.44 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1964 | 5.82 tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1965 | 6.26 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1966 | 6.73 tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1967 | 7.26 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1968 | 7.78 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1969 | 8.25 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1970 | 9.78 tonnes | +18.5% |
| 1971 | 10.06 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1972 | 10.4 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1973 | 8.53 tonnes | -17.9% |
| 1974 | 8.75 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1975 | 8.68 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1976 | 8.68 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1977 | 7.91 tonnes | -8.8% |
| 1978 | 8.39 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1979 | 8.57 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1980 | 8.87 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1981 | 9.35 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1982 | 9.51 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1983 | 9.45 tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1984 | 9.39 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1985 | 9.47 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1986 | 9.55 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1987 | 9.7 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1988 | 9.72 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1989 | 9.85 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1990 | 9.98 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1991 | 10.06 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1992 | 10.21 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1993 | 10.35 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1994 | 10.44 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1995 | 10.57 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1996 | 10.68 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1997 | 10.78 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1998 | 10.9 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1999 | 11.02 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2000 | 11.02 tonnes | -0.0% |
| 2001 | 11.04 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2002 | 11 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 2003 | 11.18 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2004 | 11.33 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2005 | 11.49 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 11.63 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2007 | 11.86 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2008 | 12.02 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 12.16 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 12.3 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2011 | 12.46 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2012 | 12.61 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 2013 | 12.62 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 2014 | 12.52 tonnes | -0.8% |
| 2015 | 12.5 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 2016 | 12.46 tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2017 | 12.5 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 12.52 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 2019 | 12.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2020 | 12.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2021 | 12.53 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 2022 | 12.54 tonnes | +0.0% |
Greenland compared with similar countries
- Greenland's 12.54 tonnes is below the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 0% of the median. (78 countries reporting)
- Greenland's 12.54 tonnes is below the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 0% of the median. (52 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 0.1708 tonnes | 0.1625 tonnes | 0.179 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 0.19 tonnes | 0.1808 tonnes | 0.1991 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 0.2113 tonnes | 0.2011 tonnes | 0.2214 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 0.2349 tonnes | 0.2236 tonnes | 0.2461 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 0.2611 tonnes | 0.2486 tonnes | 0.2736 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 0.2938 tonnes | 0.2764 tonnes | 0.3113 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 0.3352 tonnes | 0.3153 tonnes | 0.3551 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 0.3823 tonnes | 0.3596 tonnes | 0.405 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 0.4359 tonnes | 0.4101 tonnes | 0.4618 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 0.497 tonnes | 0.4677 tonnes | 0.5265 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 0.5665 tonnes | 0.5331 tonnes | 0.6002 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 0.656 tonnes | 0.6077 tonnes | 0.7052 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 0.7726 tonnes | 0.7164 tonnes | 0.8297 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 0.908 tonnes | 0.8428 tonnes | 0.9744 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 1.07 tonnes | 0.9895 tonnes | 1.14 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 1.43 tonnes | 1.16 tonnes | 1.69 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 2.01 tonnes | 1.75 tonnes | 2.26 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 2.54 tonnes | 2.32 tonnes | 2.76 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 2.83 tonnes | 2.78 tonnes | 2.85 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 2.95 tonnes | 2.87 tonnes | 3.12 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 3.74 tonnes | 3.18 tonnes | 4.49 tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.2 tonnes | 4.59 tonnes | 8.25 tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 8.98 tonnes | 7.91 tonnes | 10.4 tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.49 tonnes | 8.87 tonnes | 9.85 tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 10.5 tonnes | 9.98 tonnes | 11.02 tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 11.47 tonnes | 11 tonnes | 12.16 tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 12.5 tonnes | 12.3 tonnes | 12.62 tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.53 tonnes | 12.53 tonnes | 12.54 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Greenland
- 213 Wallis and Futuna 139.72 tonnes compare
- 214 Niue 38.67 tonnes compare
- 215 Faroe Islands 21.69 tonnes compare
- 217 Tokelau 2.55 tonnes compare
- 218 Liechtenstein 0.8413 tonnes compare
- 219 Guam 0 tonnes compare
- 219 Palestine 0 tonnes
More environment data for Greenland
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly 0.3961 Percentage change (2025)
- Standard Deviation, annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Temperature change 2.17 °C (2025)
- Standard Deviation 0.605 °C (2025)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Share of GDP 24.29 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth 2.61 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Annual growth 5.11 % (2024)
- Value Added (Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing) — Share of GDP US$ 24.29 % (2024)
- Nutrient potash K2O (total) — Use per capita 0.02 kg/cap (2024)
- Nutrient potash K2O (total) — Agricultural Use 1 t (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Greenland?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Greenland was 12.54 tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Greenland?
- The highest recorded value was 12.62 tonnes in 2013.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Greenland?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.1625 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Greenland rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Greenland ranks 216th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Greenland?
- Over the last ten years it is down 0.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Greenland data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Nitrogen oxides (NOₓ) are gases that are mainly formed during the burning of fossil fuels. Exposure to NOₓ gases can have negative impacts on respiratory health. NOₓ gases can also lead to the formation of ozone – another air pollutant.