- Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year.
Asia-Pacific Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 21.30 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.9% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in Asia-Pacific Between 2015 and 2023 provides a comprehensive assessment of regional flaring-related carbon emissions, highlighting historical trends, production dynamics, and environmental implications across the oil and gas industry.
Asia-Pacific Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 32.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.30 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−34.3%), an average of −5.1% a year. The series high was 32.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 21.10 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2022) is 11.30 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −14.2% in 2017.
Within Asia-Pacific, China has the highest value in 2023 at 4.90 Million Tonnes, 23% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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By region
Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
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| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 21.30 | +0.9% |
| 2022 Trough | 21.10 | −5.8% |
| 2021 | 22.40 | −10.8% |
| 2020 | 25.10 | +1.2% |
| 2019 | 24.80 | +7.4% |
| 2018 | 23.10 | −8.7% |
| 2017 | 25.30 | −14.2% |
| 2016 | 29.50 | −9% |
| 2015Peak | 32.40 | — |
Data definition
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring — - Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
The data includes CO₂ emissions generated from the controlled combustion of natural gas through routine and non-routine flaring at oil fields, gas processing facilities, refineries, offshore production platforms, and other petroleum production sites. It covers emissions from associated gas flaring during crude oil extraction as well as flaring conducted for operational safety, equipment maintenance, testing, emergencies, and production management. The indicator is compiled using standardized international methodologies based on reported flaring volumes, satellite observations, and emission conversion factors, enabling consistent comparison of flaring-related emissions across countries and over time.
The data excludes carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation, industrial production, transportation, residential, and commercial energy use that are unrelated to natural gas flaring. It also excludes methane emissions released through venting, fugitive emissions from oil and gas infrastructure, and greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide unless specifically converted into CO₂-equivalent values. Emissions from land-use change, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture are not included. Additionally, the indicator does not account for emissions avoided through gas recovery, reinjection, or utilization projects, and minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting methods, satellite detection, and estimation techniques.
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring — - Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
The Asia-Pacific region is home to diverse oil and gas producers with varying levels of upstream activity, infrastructure development, and environmental regulations, resulting in differing flaring emission patterns across countries. The region recorded 32,400 thousand tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 29,500 thousand tonnes in 2016 and 25,300 thousand tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to decrease to 23,100 thousand tonnes in 2018 before rising to 24,800 thousand tonnes in 2019 and 25,100 thousand tonnes in 2020. Regional emissions then fell to 22,400 thousand tonnes in 2021 and 21,100 thousand tonnes in 2022, followed by a slight increase to 21,300 thousand tonnes in 2023. Malaysia remained the largest contributor throughout the period, with emissions declining from 7,900 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 3,400 thousand tonnes in 2023 despite temporary fluctuations. Indonesia also recorded significant emissions, decreasing from 6,100 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 4,200 thousand tonnes in 2023. India reported emissions of 5,400 thousand tonnes in 2015, falling to 3,600 thousand tonnes in 2019 before stabilizing at 4,100 thousand tonnes during 2022 and 2023. China showed fluctuating emissions, declining from 5,000 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 3,600 thousand tonnes in 2017 before increasing to 5,800 thousand tonnes in 2020 and ending at 4,900 thousand tonnes in 2023. Vietnam, Australia, Thailand, and the remaining countries generally recorded lower emission levels, with gradual declines over the reporting period. Overall, the regional trend reflects changing production activity, infrastructure expansion, regulatory developments, and continued efforts to improve gas utilization while reducing routine flaring across Asia-Pacific's oil and gas sector.
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Definition- Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring refers to the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emitted as a result of burning (flaring) natural gas during oil and gas production, processing, and extraction activities within a given year. Natural gas flaring is commonly used to dispose of excess or unwanted gas that cannot be economically captured, transported, or utilized. The indicator is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and serves as an important measure of emissions associated with upstream oil and gas operations, operational efficiency, and environmental performance.
Asia-Pacific Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 21.30 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.9% on 2022.
Asia-Pacific Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 32.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 21.30 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−34.3%), an average of −5.1% a year. The series high was 32.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 21.10 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 32.40 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 21.10 Million Tonnes in 2022.
Included: The data includes CO₂ emissions generated from the controlled combustion of natural gas through routine and non-routine flaring at oil fields, gas processing facilities, refineries, offshore production platforms, and other petroleum production sites. It covers emissions from associated gas flaring during crude oil extraction as well as flaring conducted for operational safety, equipment maintenance, testing, emergencies, and production management. The indicator is compiled using standardized international methodologies based on reported flaring volumes, satellite observations, and emission conversion factors, enabling consistent comparison of flaring-related emissions across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes carbon emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels for electricity generation, industrial production, transportation, residential, and commercial energy use that are unrelated to natural gas flaring. It also excludes methane emissions released through venting, fugitive emissions from oil and gas infrastructure, and greenhouse gases other than carbon dioxide unless specifically converted into CO₂-equivalent values. Emissions from land-use change, industrial processes, waste management, and agriculture are not included. Additionally, the indicator does not account for emissions avoided through gas recovery, reinjection, or utilization projects, and minor variations may occur due to differences in national reporting methods, satellite detection, and estimation techniques.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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