What This Measures
CO2 emissions per capita divides Qatar’s total carbon dioxide emissions by its resident population, providing a normalised measure of the country’s carbon intensity. Qatar has historically recorded among the highest per-capita emissions globally — a function of energy-intensive desalination, air conditioning in extreme heat, LNG production and export operations, and a small population denominator.
This indicator is subject to a structural distortion: Qatar’s LNG exports, when combusted in destination markets, generate emissions attributed to those markets, but the liquefaction process emissions are attributed to Qatar. The country’s small population further inflates the per-capita figure.
Baseline
Approximately 44 tonnes per capita (2010) — Among the highest globally, reflecting the combination of energy-intensive industrial processes and a population of approximately 1.7 million.
Current Value
Approximately 35 to 37 tonnes per capita (2024 estimate) — Per-capita emissions have declined as population growth (to approximately 3 million) has outpaced emissions growth. Energy efficiency improvements, the Al Kharsaah solar plant, and Kahramaa’s Tarsheed demand-side management programme have contributed to marginal absolute emissions moderation.
2030 Target
25 percent reduction relative to business-as-usual — Qatar’s nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement targets a 25 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 compared with a business-as-usual scenario. This translates to a per-capita target of approximately 28 to 32 tonnes, depending on population growth assumptions.
Status Assessment
At Risk — While per-capita emissions have declined from the baseline, the NFE/NFS expansion will add substantial process emissions from new liquefaction trains. Carbon capture and storage at Ras Laffan facilities is planned but not yet operational at sufficient scale to offset the production increase. The combination of expanded LNG output and ambitious reduction targets creates a narrow pathway. Classified as at risk.
Key Drivers
LNG liquefaction process emissions at Ras Laffan. Energy-intensive desalination for virtually all potable water. Air conditioning demand driven by extreme temperatures. Population growth diluting the per-capita figure. Carbon capture and storage deployment timeline.
What Needs to Happen
Reaching the reduction target requires successful deployment of carbon capture at NFE/NFS facilities, continued expansion of renewable energy to displace gas-fired generation, energy efficiency improvements across industrial and residential sectors, and sustained population growth that dilutes the per-capita figure. The most impactful single intervention is CCS deployment at Ras Laffan — without it, the emissions arithmetic becomes very difficult to reconcile with the stated targets.