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Carbon Footprint of Seattle
Washington, United States · Pop. 749,000 · 2022 data
5.8tonnes CO₂eper capita
-63% vs United States avg (15.5t)4.3 Mt total
Based on 2022 data from Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment. Figures represent scope 1 and 2 emissions. Use our calculators for personal estimates.
Key Takeaway
Seattle's near-zero-carbon hydroelectric grid means its remaining emissions are overwhelmingly from transportation.
60
gCO₂/kWh grid
89%
Renewable electricity
2050
Target: −58%
749K
Population
Emission Breakdown by Sector
How Seattle's emissions are distributed across key sectors.
52%
22%
12%
Transport52%
~2.2Mt CO₂e
Buildings22%
~0.9Mt CO₂e
Industry12%
~0.5Mt CO₂e
Waste9%
~0.4Mt CO₂e
Other5%
~0.2Mt CO₂e
Seattle vs United States National Average
Seattle
5.8t
per capita
United States avg
15.5t
per capita
Seattle's per-capita emissions are 63% below the United States national average of 15.5 tonnes. Key factors include a clean electricity grid.
Electricity Grid Profile
Grid Carbon Intensity
60 gCO₂/kWh
Very clean — among the lowest globally
Renewable Share
89%
Climate Target
Target Year
2050
Reduction Goal
58%
Seattle aims to cut emissions by 58% by 2050. Achieving this will require significant shifts in transport and continued growth in renewable energy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the carbon footprint of Seattle?
Seattle emits approximately 5.8 tonnes of CO2 equivalent per person per year (2022 data). The city's total emissions are around 4.3 million tonnes annually, with a population of 749,000.
How does Seattle compare to the United States national average?
Seattle's per-capita emissions of 5.8t are 63% below the United States national average of 15.5t per capita. This is partly due to despite high transport emissions.
What are Seattle's biggest sources of emissions?
The largest emission source in Seattle is transport at 52% of total emissions, followed by other sectors. Transport accounts for 52%, buildings for 22%, and industry for 12%.
What are Seattle's climate targets?
Seattle has set a target to reduce emissions by 58% by 2050. The city's electricity grid currently has a carbon intensity of 60 gCO2/kWh, with 89% of electricity from renewable sources.
How clean is Seattle's electricity grid?
Seattle has a very clean electricity grid at 60 gCO2/kWh, with 89% renewable energy. This is among the cleanest urban grids globally.
Data Sources
- Seattle Office of Sustainability & Environment (2022)
- C40 Cities Climate Data
- Our World in Data — CO₂ Emissions
Per-capita values depend on city boundary definitions and emission scoping methodology. Figures represent scope 1 and 2 emissions unless otherwise stated.