The line graph presents the average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal over a 40-year period from 1967 to 2007.
Overall, emissions trends varied significantly among the four countries, showcasing both increases and decreases throughout the decades.
In the United Kingdom, CO2 emissions per person began at approximately 11 metric tonnes in 1967, followed by a steady decline to about 9 metric tonnes by 2007. This downward trajectory indicates a significant reduction in per capita emissions over the four decades. Conversely, Sweden’s emissions experienced an initial rise after 1967, peaking at approximately 10 metric tonnes around 1977, before declining sharply to around 5 metric tonnes in 2007. This fluctuation suggests a transition in Sweden towards lower per capita emissions after a brief period of increase.
Italy displayed a different trend, starting at around 4 metric tonnes in 1967 and gradually increasing to a peak of approximately 8 metric tonnes by 1997, ultimately stabilizing near this level by 2007. This indicates a sustained upward trend in emissions for Italy until the end of the period measured. In contrast, Portugal showed the lowest starting point with CO2 emissions under 2 metric tonnes in 1967, followed by a consistent upward trend that culminated in just over 5 metric tonnes by 2007. This continual increase highlights Portugal’s growing carbon dioxide emissions over the forty years.