The line graph illustrates the average amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted per person in Ireland, Sweden, France, and Spain between 1970 and 2010.
Overall, per capita CO₂ emissions declined in Ireland, Sweden, and France, whereas Spain experienced a continuous increase throughout the period. Sweden recorded the highest emissions at the beginning of the period, while Spain had the lowest.
Sweden emitted approximately 14 metric tonnes of CO₂ per person in 1970. This figure fell sharply to around 9.5 metric tonnes by 1990 before declining more gradually to about 8.5 metric tonnes in 2010. France followed a similar pattern. Its emissions remained stable at roughly 9 metric tonnes between 1970 and 1980, then decreased steadily to around 7 metric tonnes in 1990 and finally reached approximately 6 metric tonnes by the end of the period. In contrast, Spain started with the lowest level of emissions, at about 4 metric tonnes per person. Unlike the other countries, its emissions rose consistently throughout the period, reaching approximately 7.5 metric tonnes in 2010. Ireland also experienced an overall decline in per capita CO₂ emissions, although the decrease was less dramatic than that observed in Sweden.