- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Japan Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.3% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Japan 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.
Japan Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,254 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−17.2%), an average of −2.3% a year. The series high was 1,254 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2023) is 215.9 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −7.7% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Japan ranks 5 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 2.6% 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 Trough | 1,039 | −6.3% |
| 2022 | 1,109 | −0.1% |
| 2021 | 1,109 | +3.2% |
| 2020 | 1,075 | −7.7% |
| 2019 | 1,166 | −3.3% |
| 2018 | 1,206 | −1.9% |
| 2017 | 1,228 | −0.4% |
| 2016 | 1,234 | −1.7% |
| 2015Peak | 1,255 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Japan 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, serving as an important indicator of environmental performance and energy-sector development.
Japan recorded 1.25 billion tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, declining to 1.23 billion tonnes in 2016 and remaining at 1.23 billion tonnes in 2017. Emissions decreased further to 1.21 billion tonnes in 2018 and 1.17 billion tonnes in 2019. A sharper decline occurred in 2020, when emissions fell to 1.08 billion tonnes due to reduced economic activity and energy demand. Emissions recovered modestly to 1.11 billion tonnes in both 2021 and 2022 before declining to 1.04 billion tonnes in 2023, the lowest level during the review period.
Overall, the dataset reflects a consistent long-term downward trend with only minor fluctuations. The gradual reduction indicates continued progress in energy efficiency, cleaner energy adoption, and industrial emission control while maintaining relatively stable economic activity.
The dataset is valuable for evaluating greenhouse gas performance, monitoring industrial and energy-sector emissions, and assessing national progress toward climate and decarbonization goals. It supports sustainability assessments, comparative regional studies, policy evaluation, and long-term environmental planning. Researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can use the data to analyze emission trends, measure the effectiveness of mitigation strategies, and support informed decision-making related to Japan's long-term environmental objectives.
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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.
Japan Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 6.3% on 2022.
Japan Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,254 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−17.2%), an average of −2.3% a year. The series high was 1,254 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 1,254 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 1,039 Million Tonnes in 2023.
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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