- 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.
Europe Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 3.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7.1% on 2022. Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring in Europe 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.
Europe Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−45.5%), an average of −7.3% a year. The series high was 5.70 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 2.80 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2022) is 2.90 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −26.3% in 2022.
Within Europe, UK has the highest value in 2023 at 1.40 Million Tonnes, 46.7% 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 | 3.00 | +7.1% |
| 2022 Trough | 2.80 | −26.3% |
| 2021 | 3.80 | −2.6% |
| 2020 | 3.90 | −7.1% |
| 2019 | 4.20 | −6.7% |
| 2018 | 4.50 | −4.3% |
| 2017 | 4.70 | −17.5% |
| 2016Peak | 5.70 | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 5.50 | — |
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.
Natural gas flaring in Europe is relatively limited compared to other major producing regions, reflecting the region's mature energy infrastructure, stringent environmental regulations, and greater emphasis on gas recovery and utilization. Europe recorded 5,500 thousand tonnes of carbon emissions from natural gas flaring in 2015, increasing slightly to 5,700 thousand tonnes in 2016 before declining to 4,700 thousand tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to decrease to 4,500 thousand tonnes in 2018, 4,200 thousand tonnes in 2019, and 3,900 thousand tonnes in 2020. The downward trend persisted with 3,800 thousand tonnes in 2021 and reached a low of 2,800 thousand tonnes in 2022 before a modest increase to 3,000 thousand tonnes in 2023. The UK remained one of the leading contributors, with emissions declining from 2,700 thousand tonnes in 2015 to 1,200 thousand tonnes in 2022 before recovering slightly to 1,400 thousand tonnes in 2023. Germany recorded minimal flaring emissions throughout the period, generally remaining around 100 thousand tonnes. Italy maintained relatively stable emissions at approximately 100 thousand tonnes annually, while Denmark fluctuated between 100 and 300 thousand tonnes, peaking in 2016 before stabilizing at lower levels. The Netherlands reported limited flaring emissions, generally around 100 thousand tonnes or lower across the reporting period. The remaining European countries collectively accounted for the largest share after the UK, declining from 2,300 thousand tonnes in 2015–2016 to 1,300 thousand tonnes in 2022 and 2023. Overall, the regional trend reflects continued improvements in flaring management, stricter environmental compliance, enhanced gas utilization infrastructure, and sustained efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Europe's oil and gas industry.
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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.
Europe Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring was 3.00 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 7.1% on 2022.
Europe Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Flaring moved from 5.50 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3.00 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−45.5%), an average of −7.3% a year. The series high was 5.70 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 2.80 Million Tonnes in 2022.
The highest value was 5.70 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 2.80 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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