- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
China Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 6% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of China 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.
China Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 10,372 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+21.5%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 10,213 Million Tonnes in 2016.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2016) is 2,390 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +6% in 2023.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, China ranks 1 for 2023. It accounts for 31.2% 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 12,604 | +6% |
| 2022 | 11,896 | −0.4% |
| 2021 | 11,941 | +3.9% |
| 2020 | 11,489 | +2.2% |
| 2019 | 11,241 | +3.5% |
| 2018 | 10,857 | +3.6% |
| 2017 | 10,482 | +2.6% |
| 2016 Trough | 10,213 | −1.5% |
| 2015 | 10,372 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. China 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 billion tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it a key indicator of industrial development, energy demand, and environmental performance.
China recorded 10.37 billion tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, declining slightly to 10.21 billion tonnes in 2016 before increasing to 10.48 billion tonnes in 2017 and 10.86 billion tonnes in 2018. Emissions continued rising to 11.24 billion tonnes in 2019 and 11.49 billion tonnes in 2020. Growth accelerated further to 11.94 billion tonnes in 2021, while emissions remained high at 11.90 billion tonnes in 2022. In 2023, emissions increased significantly to 12.60 billion tonnes, representing the highest level recorded during the review period.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a sustained upward trend in greenhouse gas emissions, with only limited short-term fluctuations. The continuous increase reflects expanding industrial production, rising energy consumption, and ongoing economic growth despite efforts to improve energy efficiency and lower carbon intensity.
The dataset is valuable for monitoring greenhouse gas performance, assessing industrial and energy-sector emissions, and evaluating long-term climate and sustainability strategies. It supports comparative analysis, environmental planning, emission forecasting, and policy assessment. Researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can utilize the data to understand emission dynamics, monitor decarbonization progress, and evaluate the impact of industrial expansion and energy transition initiatives across China.
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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.
China Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 6% on 2022.
China Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 10,372 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+21.5%), an average of +2.5% a year. The series high was 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 10,213 Million Tonnes in 2016.
The highest value was 12,604 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 10,213 Million Tonnes in 2016.
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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