10. Malta
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -38.17%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 141.83% — #80 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 1.60 — #143 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -51.87% — #4 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
Malta had the fourth-biggest drop in total CO2 emissions per capita from 2010 to 2020. The Mediterranean nation forecasts the biggest reduction in carbon emissions will take place between 2030 and 2040.
9. Finland
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -38.71%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -3.08% — #25 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 39.32 — #62 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -44.17% — #9 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
Finland posted the ninth-largest decline in CO2 emission per capita from 2010 to 2020. The Scandinavian nation was one of the first to enact a carbon tax policy that has been successful in cutting carbon dioxide emissions.
8. Cuba
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -41.07%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: 2.88% — #115 largest increase of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 20.17 — #87 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: -7.96% — #48 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2019: -7.58% — #28 largest decline of 88
Cuba has indicated in recent years it is open to selling carbon credits on the international market, an idea that is at odds with its socialist philosophy. In 2019, Cuba approved a new constitution that included amendments directing the island nation to “promote the conservation of the environment and the fight against climate change, which threatens the survival of the human species.”
7. DPR of Korea
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -41.40%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -72.72% — #2 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 29.33 — #77 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2019: 3.64% — #61 largest increase of 144
> Total GHG emissions change: No data
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, or North Korea, recorded the second-biggest reduction in total CO2 emission from 1971 to 2020. According to the UN, the nation’s sustainable development goals “are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity.”
6. Estonia
> Total CO2 emissions change 2010-2020: -44.97%
> Total CO2 emissions change 1971-2020: -58.53% — #5 largest decline of 145 countries
> Total CO2 emissions 2020 in million tons: 10.46 — #102 largest of 145
> CO2 emissions per capita change 2010-2020: -53.82% — #5 largest decline of 144
> Total GHG emissions change 2010-2020: -52.12% — #3 largest decline of 88
Estonia posted the third-biggest decline in total GHG emissions from 2010 to 2020 and fifth-largest reduction in CO2 emissions over the same period. The Baltic country’s goal is to slash transport sector emissions by as much as 38% by 2025 from 2018 levels.
