- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Global Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.1% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of the Global economy from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of worldwide greenhouse gas emission trends, highlighting energy-related emissions, industrial activities, and overall changes in carbon-intensive economic development throughout the review period.
Global Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 37,424 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+8%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 37,189 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2020) is 3,229 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +5.1% in 2021.
Of the 36 countries in this dataset, China, U.S. and India have the highest values in 2023 (12,604, 5,130, 3,122 Million Tonnes respectively).
Country ranking
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | 12,604 | +6% | |
| 2 | U.S. | 5,130 | −2.7% | |
| 3 | India | 3,122 | +9% | |
| 4 | Russia | 2,176 | +0.5% | |
| 5 | Japan | 1,039 | −6.3% | |
| 6 | Indonesia | 861.5 | +1.1% | |
| 7 | Saudi Arabia | 725.9 | +0.7% | |
| 8 | Canada | 599.4 | +0.5% | |
| 9 | South Korea | 594.2 | −3.6% | |
| 10 | Germany | 589.4 | −9.2% | |
| 11 | Mexico | 559.7 | +4% | |
| 12 | Brazil | 525 | +3.9% | |
| 13 | South Africa | 478.1 | +3.6% | |
| 14 | Turkey | 457.1 | −1.5% | |
| 15 | Australia | 440.4 | +0.6% | |
| 16 | Vietnam | 372.4 | +13% | |
| 17 | UAE | 340.8 | +1.3% | |
| 18 | UK | 338.5 | −3.6% | |
| 19 | Malaysia | 321.9 | +6.2% | |
| 20 | Italy | 312.7 | −7.2% | |
| 21 | Kazakhstan | 308.7 | +11.2% | |
| 22 | Thailand | 302.1 | −1.3% | |
| 23 | Egypt | 279.3 | −1.1% | |
| 24 | Taiwan | 270.8 | −3% | |
| 25 | France | 262.9 | −6.4% | |
| 26 | Spain | 254.9 | −5.1% | |
| 27 | Argentina | 229.4 | −2.5% | |
| 28 | Turkmenistan | 222.2 | +22.2% | |
| 29 | Philippines | 164 | +7.8% | |
| 30 | Netherlands | 156.5 | −5.2% | |
| 31 | Uzbekistan | 152.9 | +1.4% | |
| 32 | Colombia | 138.2 | +6.8% | |
| 33 | Chile | 87.90 | −6.9% | |
| 34 | Israel | 68.20 | −2.6% | |
| 35 | Sweden | 37.10 | −5.1% | |
| 36 | Denmark | 30.10 | −4.7% |
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.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 40,418 | +2.1% |
| 2022 | 39,588 | +1.3% |
| 2021 | 39,071 | +5.1% |
| 2020 Trough | 37,189 | −5% |
| 2019 | 39,127 | +0.4% |
| 2018 | 38,961 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 38,087 | +1.7% |
| 2016 | 37,466 | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 37,424 | — |
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 captures greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of global environmental performance, industrial growth, energy demand, and progress toward international climate objectives.
Global energy and process greenhouse gas emissions stood at 37.42 billion tonnes in 2015 and remained relatively stable at 37.47 billion tonnes in 2016 before increasing to 38.09 billion tonnes in 2017 and 38.96 billion tonnes in 2018. Emissions reached 39.13 billion tonnes in 2019 before declining to 37.19 billion tonnes in 2020 as pandemic-related restrictions reduced industrial production, transportation activity, and energy consumption worldwide. Economic recovery drove emissions higher to 39.07 billion tonnes in 2021 and 39.59 billion tonnes in 2022. In 2023, global emissions increased further to a record 40.42 billion tonnes, the highest level during the review period. China remained the largest contributor, with emissions rising from 10.37 to 12.60 billion tonnes between 2015 and 2023. The United States remained the second-largest emitter, although emissions declined overall from 5.54 to 5.13 billion tonnes, while India recorded sustained growth from 2.33 to 3.12 billion tonnes, reflecting expanding industrialization and energy demand.
Overall, the dataset indicates a long-term upward trajectory in global greenhouse gas emissions, interrupted only by the temporary decline in 2020. The continued increase after the pandemic highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing economic growth with decarbonization efforts. The dataset supports global emission monitoring, climate policy evaluation, sustainability assessments, international comparisons, long-term environmental planning, and forecasting of future emission trends for governments, researchers, and industry stakeholders.
Using this data in a report, paper or presentation? Copy a formatted citation.
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.
Global Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.1% on 2022.
Global Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 37,424 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+8%), an average of +1% a year. The series high was 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 37,189 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 40,418 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 37,189 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.
Need more data?
Need a longer historical series, a custom country set, additional dimensions, or a tailored dataset? Send us your requirement.