- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Canada Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 599.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.5% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Canada from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the country’s greenhouse gas emission landscape, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns over the observed period.
Canada Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 620.3 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 599.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.4%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 643.8 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 567.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 76.00 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −10.2% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Canada ranks 8 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 1.5% 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 | 599.4 | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 596.7 | +2.9% |
| 2021 | 580 | +2.1% |
| 2020 Trough | 567.8 | −10.2% |
| 2019 | 632 | −1.8% |
| 2018Peak | 643.8 | +2.6% |
| 2017 | 627.7 | +3.1% |
| 2016 | 608.9 | −1.8% |
| 2015 | 620.3 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Canada is highlighted.
Data definition
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions arising from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial processes, serving as an important indicator of environmental performance, industrial output, and energy utilization.
Canada recorded 620.30 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, followed by a slight decline to 608.90 million tonnes in 2016. Emissions increased to 627.70 million tonnes in 2017 and reached 643.80 million tonnes in 2018, the highest level during the review period. They eased to 632.00 million tonnes in 2019 before dropping sharply to 567.80 million tonnes in 2020 amid reduced economic activity and lower energy demand. Emissions rebounded to 580.00 million tonnes in 2021 and continued rising to 596.70 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, emissions increased slightly further to 599.40 million tonnes, remaining below the levels observed before the pandemic.
Overall, the dataset reflects moderate year-to-year fluctuations with a noticeable decline in 2020 followed by gradual recovery over the subsequent years. The trend illustrates the influence of industrial production, energy consumption, and economic conditions on greenhouse gas emissions while indicating that post-pandemic emissions have not fully returned to their previous peak.
The dataset is useful for evaluating national greenhouse gas performance, monitoring industrial and energy-sector emissions, and supporting assessments of climate policies and decarbonization strategies. It also provides a dependable foundation for comparative studies, sustainability assessments, infrastructure planning, and long-term environmental analysis. Researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can use the data to understand emission patterns, evaluate mitigation progress, and support informed decisions related to Canada's energy transition and greenhouse gas reduction objectives.
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Definition- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Canada Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 599.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.5% on 2022.
Canada Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 620.3 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 599.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.4%), an average of −0.4% a year. The series high was 643.8 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 567.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 643.8 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 567.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.
Included: The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
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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