- 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.
China Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 4.90 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2% on 2022. The Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring dataset of China 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.
China Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.00 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 4.90 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−2%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 5.80 Million Tonnes in 2020 and the low 3.60 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The gap between the series high (2020) and low (2017) is 2.20 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +31.8% in 2020.
Among the 28 countries in this dataset, China ranks 7 for 2023, behind Russia (59.40 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (21.00 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 | 4.90 | −2% |
| 2022 | 5.00 | −7.4% |
| 2021 | 5.40 | −6.9% |
| 2020Peak | 5.80 | +31.8% |
| 2019 | 4.40 | +10% |
| 2018 | 4.00 | +11.1% |
| 2017 Trough | 3.60 | −23.4% |
| 2016 | 4.70 | −6% |
| 2015 | 5.00 | — |
Regional context
Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. China 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.
China recorded 5.0 million tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, declining to 4.7 million tonnes in 2016 and further to 3.6 million tonnes in 2017, the lowest level during the observed period. Emissions increased to 4.0 million tonnes in 2018 and 4.4 million tonnes in 2019 before rising sharply to 5.8 million tonnes in 2020, the highest level in the dataset. Emissions subsequently declined to 5.4 million tonnes in 2021, 5.0 million tonnes in 2022, and 4.9 million tonnes in 2023, remaining close to the level recorded at the beginning of the study period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates moderate fluctuations in carbon emissions from natural gas flaring without a pronounced long-term upward or downward trend. The temporary increase in 2020 was followed by gradual reductions, suggesting changing operational conditions, improvements in gas utilization, and evolving emission management practices within China's energy sector. Despite periodic variation, emissions remained within a relatively narrow range throughout the study period.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating China's long-term flaring emission performance, monitoring trends in natural gas management, supporting environmental policy assessments, and benchmarking national performance against other major energy-producing economies. It also provides a reliable foundation for forecasting future flaring emissions and understanding the relationship between hydrocarbon production, gas utilization efficiency, 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.
China Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 4.90 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2% on 2022.
China Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.00 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 4.90 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−2%), an average of −0.3% a year. The series high was 5.80 Million Tonnes in 2020 and the low 3.60 Million Tonnes in 2017.
The highest value was 5.80 Million Tonnes in 2020 and the lowest was 3.60 Million Tonnes in 2017.
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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