The line graph illustrates the average carbon dioxide emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy, and Portugal between 1967 and 2007, measured in metric tonnes.
Overall, the United Kingdom and Sweden recorded a downward trend in emissions, whereas Italy and Portugal showed a consistent increase. By the end of the period, the emission levels for all four nations converged within a narrower range compared to 1967.
In 1967, the United Kingdom had the highest emissions at 10.8 tonnes, followed by Sweden at 8.6 tonnes. Both countries saw their figures fluctuate; the UK experienced a steady decline to 8.7 tonnes by 2007. Sweden’s emissions peaked at 10.3 tonnes in 1977 before dropping sharply to 5.4 tonnes by 2007.
Conversely, Italy and Portugal started with much lower emissions. Italy began at 4.2 tonnes and rose steadily to reach a plateau of 7.7 tonnes in 1997, where it remained until 2007. Portugal, which started at the lowest level of 1.2 tonnes, experienced the most consistent growth, climbing to 5.4 tonnes by 2007, effectively matching Sweden’s final emission level.