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Carbon intensity of the economy — all countries

Carbon intensity of the economy — South America

Carbon intensity of the economy in South America in 2022 — 0.167 kg/$. Since 1990, the indicator has fallen by 32.3%.

2022 0.167 kg/$ −5.8% vs 2021
World rank —
Period maximum 0.247 kg/$1990
Period minimum 0.167 kg/$2022

Trend over time

1990–2022 · kg CO₂ per PPP $

Carbon intensity of the economy — South America, 1990–20220.160.180.20.220.240.261990199419982002200620102014201820221990: 0.247 kg/$1991: 0.239 kg/$1992: 0.234 kg/$1993: 0.238 kg/$1994: 0.226 kg/$1995: 0.228 kg/$1996: 0.229 kg/$1997: 0.231 kg/$1998: 0.234 kg/$1999: 0.243 kg/$2000: 0.234 kg/$2001: 0.224 kg/$2002: 0.234 kg/$2003: 0.228 kg/$2004: 0.218 kg/$2005: 0.213 kg/$2006: 0.206 kg/$2007: 0.199 kg/$2008: 0.197 kg/$2009: 0.193 kg/$2010: 0.201 kg/$2011: 0.192 kg/$2012: 0.18 kg/$2013: 0.182 kg/$2014: 0.187 kg/$2015: 0.184 kg/$2016: 0.181 kg/$2017: 0.179 kg/$2018: 0.174 kg/$2019: 0.175 kg/$2020: 0.169 kg/$2021: 0.178 kg/$2022: 0.167 kg/$
Change over the period: −0.08 (−32.34%) Average annual rate: -1.21 %

Comparison, 2022

How the value compares with the world and the groups this territory belongs to: South America

South America 0.167 kg/$
World computed 0.273 kg/$
Carbon intensity of the economy — South America, by year South America All countries CSV XLSX
Year kg/$ Change Change, %
2022 0.167 −0.01 −5.8%
2021 0.178 +0.008 +4.87%
2020 0.169 −0.006 −3.34%
2019 0.175 +0.001 +0.57%
2018 0.174 −0.005 −2.88%
2017 0.179 −0.002 −1.12%
2016 0.181 −0.003 −1.62%
2015 0.184 −0.003 −1.45%
2014 0.187 +0.005 +2.99%
2013 0.182 +0.002 +0.9%
2012 0.18 −0.012 −6.23%
2011 0.192 −0.009 −4.27%
2010 0.201 +0.008 +4.05%
2009 0.193 −0.004 −1.96%
2008 0.197 −0.002 −1.08%
2007 0.199 −0.007 −3.61%
2006 0.206 −0.006 −3.01%
2005 0.213 −0.006 −2.69%
2004 0.218 −0.009 −4%
2003 0.228 −0.006 −2.68%
2002 0.234 +0.009 +4.2%
2001 0.224 −0.01 −4.26%
2000 0.234 −0.009 −3.67%
1999 0.243 +0.009 +3.81%
1998 0.234 +0.003 +1.27%
1997 0.231 +0.002 +1.07%
1996 0.229 +0.001 +0.43%
1995 0.228 +0.002 +0.85%
1994 0.226 −0.012 −5.01%
1993 0.238 +0.004 +1.74%
1992 0.234 −0.005 −2.16%
1991 0.239 −0.008 −3.26%
1990 0.247 — —

About the indicator

Carbon dioxide emissions per unit of gross domestic product at purchasing power parity. The indicator answers how cleanly a country produces value, and it separates two different paths to lower emissions: producing less, and emitting less per unit produced. Global carbon intensity has been falling almost without interruption since the 1970s, but more slowly than output has grown — which is why absolute emissions kept rising.

Important: The aggregate for groups of countries is weighted by GDP at PPP, which is exactly the sum of emissions divided by the sum of GDP. The conversion is at PPP rather than at market exchange rates — otherwise poor countries would look carbon-intensive simply because their prices are low.

Source: CO₂ and GHG Emissions (Our World in Data), license CC BY 4.0.

Other indicators for South America

Emissions CO2 emissions

Annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fuel and producing cement.

South America by year Emissions CO2 emissions from coal

How much carbon dioxide comes from burning coal — the dirtiest of the fuels.

South America by year Economy GDP at purchasing power parity

The size of the economy in international dollars — adjusted for price differences between countries.

South America by year Emissions CO2 emissions per capita

How many tonnes of carbon dioxide each resident of a country accounts for in a year.

South America by year
All indicators for South America