Emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom
United Kingdom: Emissions of air pollutants was 833,456 tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
833,456 tonnes
Change on year
up 1.5%
World rank
31st
of 220 countries
All-time high
3.47 million tonnes
in 1973
All-time low
13,606 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
Emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2022, emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom stood at 833,456 tonnes.
The figure is up 1.5% on the previous year and down 41.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom peaked at 3.47 million tonnes in 1973 and was at its lowest, 13,606 tonnes, in 1750.
United Kingdom ranks 31st of 220 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 13,606 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 13,620 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1752 | 13,638 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1753 | 13,653 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1754 | 13,671 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1755 | 13,690 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1756 | 14,435 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1757 | 14,453 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1758 | 14,472 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1759 | 14,490 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1760 | 14,504 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1761 | 15,603 tonnes | +7.6% |
| 1762 | 15,621 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1763 | 15,640 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1764 | 15,658 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1765 | 15,677 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1766 | 17,132 tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1767 | 17,151 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1768 | 17,169 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1769 | 17,188 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1770 | 17,206 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1771 | 18,736 tonnes | +8.9% |
| 1772 | 18,755 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1773 | 18,774 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1774 | 18,792 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1775 | 18,811 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1776 | 20,424 tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1777 | 20,443 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1778 | 20,462 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1779 | 20,480 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1780 | 20,503 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1781 | 22,544 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1782 | 22,563 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1783 | 22,586 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1784 | 22,605 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1785 | 22,628 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1786 | 25,230 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1787 | 25,253 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1788 | 25,404 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1789 | 25,440 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1790 | 25,477 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1791 | 28,048 tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1792 | 28,085 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1793 | 28,122 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1794 | 28,155 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1795 | 28,192 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1796 | 29,322 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1797 | 30,639 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1798 | 31,782 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1799 | 33,273 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1800 | 34,258 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1801 | 34,367 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1802 | 34,546 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1803 | 38,356 tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1804 | 38,536 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1805 | 39,841 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1806 | 41,890 tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1807 | 41,910 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1808 | 41,934 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1809 | 41,958 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1810 | 41,982 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1811 | 44,666 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1812 | 46,332 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1813 | 46,940 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1814 | 47,854 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1815 | 48,909 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1816 | 51,867 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1817 | 52,528 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1818 | 52,748 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1819 | 53,242 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1820 | 53,595 tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1821 | 54,107 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1822 | 56,098 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1823 | 58,887 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1824 | 61,581 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1825 | 62,348 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1826 | 63,146 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1827 | 65,682 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1828 | 66,177 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1829 | 67,064 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1830 | 83,577 tonnes | +24.6% |
| 1831 | 81,316 tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1832 | 81,237 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1833 | 81,249 tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1834 | 81,696 tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1835 | 81,782 tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1836 | 94,688 tonnes | +15.8% |
| 1837 | 91,880 tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1838 | 94,420 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1839 | 96,877 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1840 | 100,875 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1841 | 102,101 tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1842 | 105,354 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1843 | 109,829 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1844 | 115,112 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1845 | 122,816 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1846 | 118,449 tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1847 | 127,859 tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1848 | 134,556 tonnes | +5.2% |
| 1849 | 142,365 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1850 | 150,248 tonnes | +5.5% |
| 1851 | 142,125 tonnes | -5.4% |
| 1852 | 140,307 tonnes | -1.3% |
| 1853 | 138,175 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1854 | 162,214 tonnes | +17.4% |
| 1855 | 150,983 tonnes | -6.9% |
| 1856 | 167,673 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1857 | 170,462 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1858 | 172,204 tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1859 | 196,097 tonnes | +13.9% |
| 1860 | 224,784 tonnes | +14.6% |
| 1861 | 237,016 tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1862 | 234,187 tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1863 | 253,105 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1864 | 275,238 tonnes | +8.7% |
| 1865 | 294,822 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1866 | 307,189 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1867 | 319,410 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1868 | 318,028 tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1869 | 338,291 tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1870 | 350,761 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1871 | 379,232 tonnes | +8.1% |
| 1872 | 406,065 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1873 | 429,421 tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1874 | 424,900 tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1875 | 456,094 tonnes | +7.3% |
| 1876 | 458,022 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1877 | 468,750 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1878 | 461,580 tonnes | -1.5% |
| 1879 | 466,709 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 511,592 tonnes | +9.6% |
| 1881 | 542,366 tonnes | +6.0% |
| 1882 | 550,442 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1883 | 575,410 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1884 | 560,821 tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1885 | 557,916 tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1886 | 554,522 tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1887 | 572,184 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1888 | 598,610 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1889 | 622,909 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1890 | 638,804 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1891 | 653,384 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1892 | 639,973 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1893 | 578,684 tonnes | -9.6% |
| 1894 | 661,192 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1895 | 669,584 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1896 | 692,602 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1897 | 712,339 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1898 | 717,744 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1899 | 771,819 tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1900 | 783,333 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1901 | 765,042 tonnes | -2.3% |
| 1902 | 796,753 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1903 | 803,297 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1904 | 807,585 tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1905 | 819,467 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1906 | 848,883 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1907 | 885,531 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1908 | 850,705 tonnes | -3.9% |
| 1909 | 876,807 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1910 | 884,068 tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1911 | 911,453 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1912 | 874,492 tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1913 | 887,367 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1914 | 886,246 tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1915 | 915,671 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1916 | 938,501 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1917 | 968,299 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1918 | 944,913 tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1919 | 863,130 tonnes | -8.7% |
| 1920 | 871,252 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1921 | 575,459 tonnes | -34.0% |
| 1922 | 747,849 tonnes | +30.0% |
| 1923 | 663,586 tonnes | -11.3% |
| 1924 | 708,140 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1925 | 693,172 tonnes | -2.1% |
| 1926 | 508,192 tonnes | -26.7% |
| 1927 | 749,867 tonnes | +47.6% |
| 1928 | 688,639 tonnes | -8.2% |
| 1929 | 721,040 tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1930 | 692,082 tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1931 | 643,740 tonnes | -7.0% |
| 1932 | 637,015 tonnes | -1.0% |
| 1933 | 644,320 tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1934 | 696,151 tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1935 | 719,235 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1936 | 764,905 tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1937 | 795,261 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1938 | 770,229 tonnes | -3.1% |
| 1939 | 804,040 tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1940 | 841,418 tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1941 | 844,723 tonnes | +0.4% |
| 1942 | 847,454 tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1943 | 822,558 tonnes | -2.9% |
| 1944 | 823,886 tonnes | +0.2% |
| 1945 | 793,798 tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1946 | 858,666 tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1947 | 857,284 tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1948 | 954,114 tonnes | +11.3% |
| 1949 | 993,449 tonnes | +4.1% |
| 1950 | 1.21 million tonnes | +21.4% |
| 1951 | 1.33 million tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1952 | 1.31 million tonnes | -1.1% |
| 1953 | 1.34 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1954 | 1.43 million tonnes | +6.1% |
| 1955 | 1.50 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1956 | 1.52 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1957 | 1.55 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1958 | 1.57 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1959 | 1.67 million tonnes | +6.6% |
| 1960 | 2.38 million tonnes | +42.2% |
| 1961 | 2.44 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1962 | 2.51 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1963 | 2.62 million tonnes | +4.7% |
| 1964 | 2.68 million tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1965 | 2.79 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1966 | 2.78 million tonnes | -0.6% |
| 1967 | 2.82 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1968 | 2.92 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1969 | 3.06 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1970 | 3.23 million tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1971 | 3.32 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1972 | 3.29 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1973 | 3.47 million tonnes | +5.7% |
| 1974 | 3.22 million tonnes | -7.3% |
| 1975 | 3.00 million tonnes | -6.8% |
| 1976 | 3.04 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1977 | 3.01 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1978 | 3.06 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1979 | 3.17 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1980 | 2.98 million tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1981 | 2.85 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 1982 | 2.86 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1983 | 2.82 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1984 | 2.80 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1985 | 2.87 million tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1986 | 2.97 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1987 | 3.04 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 3.12 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1989 | 3.21 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1990 | 3.23 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1991 | 3.15 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 1992 | 3.11 million tonnes | -1.2% |
| 1993 | 2.98 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 1994 | 2.88 million tonnes | -3.2% |
| 1995 | 2.76 million tonnes | -4.2% |
| 1996 | 2.71 million tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1997 | 2.54 million tonnes | -6.0% |
| 1998 | 2.48 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1999 | 2.30 million tonnes | -7.2% |
| 2000 | 2.19 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2001 | 2.15 million tonnes | -2.1% |
| 2002 | 2.02 million tonnes | -6.1% |
| 2003 | 2.02 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 2004 | 2.00 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 2005 | 2.00 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 2006 | 2.00 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 2007 | 1.91 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 2008 | 1.79 million tonnes | -6.0% |
| 2009 | 1.58 million tonnes | -12.0% |
| 2010 | 1.50 million tonnes | -4.7% |
| 2011 | 1.45 million tonnes | -3.5% |
| 2012 | 1.43 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2013 | 1.37 million tonnes | -4.3% |
| 2014 | 1.29 million tonnes | -6.2% |
| 2015 | 1.25 million tonnes | -2.8% |
| 2016 | 1.18 million tonnes | -5.4% |
| 2017 | 1.13 million tonnes | -4.6% |
| 2018 | 1.10 million tonnes | -2.3% |
| 2019 | 1.04 million tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2020 | 813,778 tonnes | -21.9% |
| 2021 | 821,239 tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2022 | 833,456 tonnes | +1.5% |
United Kingdom compared with similar countries
- United Kingdom's 833,456 tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 90,409 tonnes, 9.2× the median. (78 countries reporting)
- United Kingdom's 833,456 tonnes is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 102,006 tonnes, 8.2× the median. (52 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1927 | +47.6% | 508,192 tonnes | 749,867 tonnes |
| 1960 | +42.2% | 1.67 million tonnes | 2.38 million tonnes |
| 1921 | -34.0% | 871,252 tonnes | 575,459 tonnes |
| 1922 | +30.0% | 575,459 tonnes | 747,849 tonnes |
| 1926 | -26.7% | 693,172 tonnes | 508,192 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 13,973 tonnes | 13,606 tonnes | 14,490 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 16,134 tonnes | 14,504 tonnes | 17,188 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 19,288 tonnes | 17,206 tonnes | 20,480 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 23,475 tonnes | 20,503 tonnes | 25,440 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 29,109 tonnes | 25,477 tonnes | 33,273 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 38,759 tonnes | 34,258 tonnes | 41,958 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 48,707 tonnes | 41,982 tonnes | 53,242 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 60,869 tonnes | 53,595 tonnes | 67,064 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 86,872 tonnes | 81,237 tonnes | 96,877 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 117,932 tonnes | 100,875 tonnes | 142,365 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 159,049 tonnes | 138,175 tonnes | 196,097 tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 280,207 tonnes | 224,784 tonnes | 338,291 tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 430,153 tonnes | 350,761 tonnes | 468,750 tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 564,677 tonnes | 511,592 tonnes | 622,909 tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 673,612 tonnes | 578,684 tonnes | 771,819 tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 823,740 tonnes | 765,042 tonnes | 885,531 tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 907,414 tonnes | 863,130 tonnes | 968,299 tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 692,720 tonnes | 508,192 tonnes | 871,252 tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 716,698 tonnes | 637,015 tonnes | 804,040 tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 863,735 tonnes | 793,798 tonnes | 993,449 tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 1.44 million tonnes | 1.21 million tonnes | 1.67 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.70 million tonnes | 2.38 million tonnes | 3.06 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 3.18 million tonnes | 3.00 million tonnes | 3.47 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 2.95 million tonnes | 2.80 million tonnes | 3.21 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 2.81 million tonnes | 2.30 million tonnes | 3.23 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.97 million tonnes | 1.58 million tonnes | 2.19 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.28 million tonnes | 1.04 million tonnes | 1.50 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 822,824 tonnes | 813,778 tonnes | 833,456 tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near United Kingdom
More environment data for United Kingdom
- Historical exposure to drought — Land soil moisture anomaly -3.13 Percentage change (2025)
- Historical exposure to drought — Cropland soil moisture anomaly -7.25 Percentage change (2025)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), annual -3.47 % change on previous year (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), annual growth rate -0.8735 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per unit of GDP 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Agriculture (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual -1.29 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Building (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit of 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom?
- Emissions of air pollutants in United Kingdom was 833,456 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 United Kingdom?
- The highest recorded value was 3.47 million tonnes in 1973.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in United Kingdom?
- The lowest recorded value was 13,606 tonnes in 1750.
- How does United Kingdom rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- United Kingdom ranks 31st out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in United Kingdom?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United Kingdom 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.