35. New Zealand
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2020: 6.48
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2010: 6.97 — #40 highest of 147 countries
> CO2 emissions per GDP, 2020: 0.17 — #71 lowest of 148 countries
> Total GHG emissions, million metric tons, 2020: 34.76 — #36 lowest of 87 countries
New Zealand, in the top half of countries in total greenhouse-gas emissions in 2020, is considered an example of a nation making progress toward carbon neutrality, which it aims to attain by 2050. The country of 5.1 million is employing hydropower and geothermal energy. New Zealand is phasing out production of offshore oil and gas.
34. Norway
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2020: 6.71
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2010: 8.18 — #34 highest of 147 countries
> CO2 emissions per GDP, 2020: 0.11 — #35 lowest of 148 countries
> Total GHG emissions, million metric tons, 2020: 37.96 — #38 lowest of 87 countries
Norway, one of the world’s largest energy exporters, is one of the world’s staunchest advocates for renewable energy sources. The Nordic nation of 5.4 million has decarbonized much of its economy but still needs to reduce carbon in transportation and industry. It has set a goal of 2030 to cut greenhouse-gas emissions by 40%.
33. Cyprus
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2020: 6.75
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2010: 8.97 — #27 highest of 147 countries
> CO2 emissions per GDP, 2020: 0.19 — #66 highest of 148 countries
> Total GHG emissions, million metric tons, 2019: No data
This Eastern Mediterranean island nation of 900,000 people was in the top half of countries producing CO2 emissions in 2010. Cyprus created a fund earlier this decade to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency. Fossil fuels provide 85% of the country’s energy needs.
32. Libya
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2019: 6.77
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2010: 8.16 — #36 highest of 147 countries
> CO2 emissions per GDP, 2019: 0.40 — #19 highest of 148 countries
> Total GHG emissions, million metric tons, 2019: 114.87 — #37 highest of 87 countries
Libya was among the top 20 nations in CO2 emissions per GDP in 2019. The North African nation of 6.9 million has an energy plan in place in which it hopes renewables account for 10% of its energy mix by 2025. Electricity disruption remains a problem in Libya.
31. Poland
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2020: 6.98
> CO2 emissions, metric tons per capita, 2010: 7.98 — #37 highest of 147 countries
> CO2 emissions per GDP, 2020: 0.23 — #50 highest of 148 countries
> Total GHG emissions, million metric tons, 2020: 275.11 — #20 highest of 87 countries
Coal dominates the energy sources in Poland, one of the most polluted countries in Europe, and the industry is one of the largest employers in the nation of 38.4 million. Its energy policy calls for Poland to cut the share of coal and lignite power to 60% by 2030 from 80% in 2017. The country is planning to add its first nuclear power plant.
