Band 9: A graph is shown below. It represents the average CO2 emissions per person among four European countries; Italy, Sweden, Portugal, and the United Kingdom over four decades, from 1967 to 2007.

The line graph provides data on the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in four countries—namely the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal—over a 40-year period from 1967 to 2007. The measurements are recorded in metric tonnes.

Overall, the UK and Sweden experienced a decline in per capita CO2 emissions over the period, whereas Italy and Portugal saw a steady increase. Notably, the UK consistently emitted the highest levels of CO2 until the end of the timeframe, although Sweden temporarily exceeded the UK’s emissions.

In 1967, the UK had the highest per capita emissions at around 11 metric tonnes, followed by Sweden at approximately 9 metric tonnes. The UK’s emissions gradually decreased over the four decades, reaching about 8 metric tonnes by 2007. In contrast, Sweden’s emissions peaked at just over 10 metric tonnes in 1977 but then underwent a sharp decline, falling to around 5 metric tonnes by the end of the period.

Italy and Portugal began with much lower CO2 emissions, at about 4 and 1 metric tonnes, respectively. Italy’s emissions showed a steady increase, peaking at approximately 7.5 metric tonnes in 1997, after which they stabilized. Similarly, Portugal saw its emissions rise steadily, reaching about 5 metric tonnes by 2007.