Every Central American country has signed and ratified the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change as a non-Annex I country, and is therefore not obligated to reduce its emissions of greenhouse gases. Per capita energy consumption in Central American countries is significantly lower than the per capita energy consumption levels of many Latin American countries. In 1998, Central America's per capita carbon emissions registered an averaged 0.31 metric tons, the region's lowest level of per capita carbon emissions since 1995 and well below the world average of 4 metric tons per person. Annual growth in Central America's per capita carbon emissions is expected to remain low in both the near and long-term as the region continues to develop its energy sector based on the use of cleaner sources of energy such as hydropower, which emits no carbon. Central America contains little in the way of energy resources, with Guatemala being the region's only producer of oil.
Oil is the primary fuel in Central America followed by hydropower.
Neither natural gas nor nuclear power is used in Central America. Energy and Carbon Intensity Energy intensity in Central America is on par with the energy intensity levels of most other countries in Latin America. High energy intensity levels in Central America are due in large part to the virtual absence of energy efficiency and conservation measures in most industrial sectors. Carbon intensity in Central America is comparable to the carbon intensity levels of its Latin American neighbors. The amount of carbon consumed per dollar of GDP in Central America has remained relatively stable since 1980, most likely reflecting the region's growing use of hydropower, which emits no carbon.