The graph below shows average carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per person in the United Kingdom, Sweden, Italy and Portugal between 1967 and 2007.

The line graph compares the average

emissions

of carbon dioxide per

person

in 4 European countries from 1967 to 2007.

Overall

,

it is clear that

the UK produced the most

emissions

per capita of the 4 nations over the period

although

the levels fell slightly. The amount of CO2 emitted per

person

dropped more markedly in Sweden

while

levels rose in Italy and Portugal. In 1967, the UK and Sweden had the highest

emissions

per

person

with around 11 metric

tonnes

and 9

tonnes

respectively. Portuguese people had a much lower output, with under 2

tonnes

and Italians about double

this

. Over the

next

decade, carbon dioxide

emissions

soared in Sweden to peak at just over 10

tonnes

per

person

before falling suddenly. By the end of the period, Swedes had reduced their levels to under 6

tonnes

while

in the UK, the figure had fallen less sharply to around 9

tonnes

.

In contrast

, there were significant increases in the CO2 emitted by Italians and Portuguese over the 40 years. Italy’s figure almost doubled, making it the

second

highest emitter by 2007

while

Portugal’s figure rose even more dramatically to about 5

tonnes

per

person

in the final year.