- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
India Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 9% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of India from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s greenhouse gas emission profile, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns throughout the review period.
India Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 2,326 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+34.2%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,326 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 795.6 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +10.2% in 2021.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, India ranks 3 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 7.7% 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 | 3,122 | +9% |
| 2022 | 2,865 | +5.9% |
| 2021 | 2,706 | +10.2% |
| 2020 | 2,454 | −7.4% |
| 2019 | 2,650 | +1.2% |
| 2018 | 2,617 | +4.8% |
| 2017 | 2,498 | +2.8% |
| 2016 | 2,429 | +4.4% |
| 2015 Trough | 2,326 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. India 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 captures emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial processes, making it a key indicator for evaluating environmental performance, industrial development, energy demand, and progress toward climate and sustainability objectives.
India recorded energy and process greenhouse gas emissions of **2.33 billion tonnes** in 2015, rising to **2.43 billion tonnes** in 2016 and **2.50 billion tonnes** in 2017. Emissions increased further to **2.62 billion tonnes** in 2018 and **2.65 billion tonnes** in 2019, supported by expanding industrial activity, growing electricity consumption, and sustained economic growth. In 2020, emissions declined to **2.45 billion tonnes** as pandemic-related restrictions reduced industrial production and energy demand. With economic recovery, emissions climbed to **2.71 billion tonnes** in 2021 and **2.87 billion tonnes** in 2022. The upward trend continued in 2023, reaching **3.12 billion tonnes**, the highest level during the study period, reflecting stronger manufacturing output, infrastructure development, and increasing energy consumption.
Overall, the dataset indicates a sustained long-term increase in greenhouse gas emissions, interrupted only by the temporary decline recorded in 2020. The subsequent recovery highlights India's expanding industrial base and rising energy requirements while underscoring the importance of improving energy efficiency, accelerating clean energy adoption, and reducing carbon intensity across key sectors.
The dataset is an important resource for monitoring national greenhouse gas performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, supporting sustainability assessments, and measuring progress toward decarbonization goals. It also enables policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to benchmark emission trends, evaluate climate policies, forecast future emissions, and develop informed strategies for sustainable economic growth.
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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.
India Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 9% on 2022.
India Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 2,326 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+34.2%), an average of +3.7% a year. The series high was 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,326 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 3,122 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 2,326 Million Tonnes in 2015.
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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