- 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.
Canada Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 13% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of Canada from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country's natural gas flaring emissions landscape, highlighting flaring activity trends, gas disposal patterns, and long-term environmental performance.
Canada Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 3.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−33.3%), an average of −4.9% a year. The series high was 3.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2.30 Million Tonnes in 2019.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2019) is 1.60 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −25.6% in 2016.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, Canada ranks 14 for 2023, behind Russia (59.40 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (21.00 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.8% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 2.60 | +13% |
| 2022 | 2.30 | −8% |
| 2021 | 2.50 | 0% |
| 2020 | 2.50 | +8.7% |
| 2019 Trough | 2.30 | −20.7% |
| 2018 | 2.90 | 0% |
| 2017 | 2.90 | 0% |
| 2016 | 2.90 | −25.6% |
| 2015Peak | 3.90 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Canada is highlighted.
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.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset reflects the volume of carbon emissions generated through natural gas flaring and serves as an important indicator of upstream oil and gas operations, resource management practices, and emission reduction progress.
Canada recorded 3.9 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 2.9 million tonnes in 2016 and remaining unchanged at 2.9 million tonnes in 2017 and 2018. Emissions decreased further to 2.3 million tonnes in 2019, representing the lowest level during the first half of the observed period. A slight increase occurred in 2020 and 2021, when emissions reached 2.5 million tonnes in both years. Emissions declined again to 2.3 million tonnes in 2022 before increasing modestly to 2.6 million tonnes in 2023, remaining well below the level recorded at the beginning of the study period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a relatively stable pattern of natural gas flaring emissions with only minor year-to-year fluctuations. The gradual decline from 2015, combined with consistently low emission levels throughout the period, suggests continued improvements in flaring management, gas recovery practices, and operational efficiency across Canada's oil and gas industry.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating Canada's long-term flaring emission performance, monitoring progress in emission reduction initiatives, supporting environmental policy analysis, and benchmarking national trends against other energy-producing countries. It also provides a dependable basis for forecasting future flaring emissions and understanding the relationship between natural gas production, flaring practices, and environmental sustainability.
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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.
Canada Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 13% on 2022.
Canada Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 3.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2.60 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−33.3%), an average of −4.9% a year. The series high was 3.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 2.30 Million Tonnes in 2019.
The highest value was 3.90 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 2.30 Million Tonnes in 2019.
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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