The following line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, while the United Kingdom and Sweden experienced a decrease in CO2 emissions per person during the 40-year period, Italy and Portugal saw an increase in emissions.
The United Kingdom witnessed a gradual decline in CO2 emissions per capita from approximately 11 to just under 9 metric tonnes. In contrast, Sweden’s emissions initially rose to around 10.5 metric tonnes in 1977 but then significantly decreased to about 5.5 metric tonnes in 2007, positioning it as one of the lowest emitters among the four countries.
Italy’s per capita emissions ascended steadily from about 4.5 to nearly 8 metric tonnes between 1967 and 2007. Conversely, Portugal started with only about 1.5 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions per person in 1967. Subsequently, its emissions grew consistently, reaching a level similar to Sweden’s by 2007 at approximately 5.5 metric tonnes.