- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year.
Middle East Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022. The Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy dataset for the Middle East from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the region's energy-related carbon emission patterns, highlighting changes in fossil fuel consumption, industrial activity, and environmental performance over time.
Middle East Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 2,006 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+12.6%), an average of +1.5% a year. The series high was 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,006 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 252.3 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +5.4% in 2022.
Within Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the highest value in 2023 at 620.4 Million Tonnes, 27.5% of the regional total.
Country ranking
Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.
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| Rank↕ | Country↕ | Share of top | Million Tonnes↕ | vs 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saudi Arabia | 620.4 | +1.8% | |
| 2 | UAE | 287.2 | +2.1% | |
| 3 | Israel | 65.50 | −2.5% |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023Peak | 2,258 | +2.3% |
| 2022 | 2,207 | +5.4% |
| 2021 | 2,094 | +2.5% |
| 2020 | 2,042 | −2.7% |
| 2019 | 2,098 | +0.3% |
| 2018 | 2,093 | +0.3% |
| 2017 | 2,086 | +0.7% |
| 2016 | 2,073 | +3.3% |
| 2015 Trough | 2,006 | — |
Data definition
Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.
Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy — - Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset quantifies carbon dioxide emissions generated through energy production and consumption, serving as a key indicator of regional energy demand, economic development, and progress toward emission reduction initiatives. Covering Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Israel, and the remaining countries of the Middle East, the dataset offers a detailed assessment of energy-related carbon emissions across the region and supports comparative analysis of long-term emission trends.
The Middle East recorded 2,006.0 million tonnes of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2015, increasing to 2,072.8 million tonnes in 2016 and 2,086.4 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to rise gradually, reaching 2,092.6 million tonnes in 2018 and 2,098.2 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions declined to 2,041.7 million tonnes as reduced industrial operations, transportation activity, and energy demand affected fossil fuel consumption. With economic recovery, emissions increased to 2,093.6 million tonnes in 2021, climbed to 2,207.4 million tonnes in 2022, and reached a study-period high of 2,258.3 million tonnes in 2023.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a gradual long-term increase in energy-related carbon emissions despite the temporary decline in 2020. Rising emissions reflect continued economic expansion, population growth, increasing electricity demand, expanding industrial production, and the region's sustained dependence on oil and natural gas. The dataset serves as a valuable resource for evaluating regional emission performance, monitoring decarbonization progress, supporting climate and energy policy assessments, benchmarking against other global regions, forecasting future energy-sector emissions, and analyzing the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability across the Middle East.
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Definition- Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy refers to the total amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) released into the atmosphere from the combustion of fossil fuels and industrial energy-related processes within a given year. It is typically measured in million tonnes of carbon dioxide (MtCO₂) and reflects emissions generated from the consumption of coal, oil, natural gas, and other fossil fuels for electricity generation, heat production, transportation, industrial activities, and other energy uses. This indicator is widely used to assess a country's contribution to energy-related greenhouse gas emissions, evaluate carbon intensity, and monitor progress toward climate and energy transition goals.
Middle East Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.3% on 2022.
Middle East Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 2,006 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+12.6%), an average of +1.5% a year. The series high was 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,006 Million Tonnes in 2015.
The highest value was 2,258 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 2,006 Million Tonnes in 2015.
Included: The data includes CO₂ emissions resulting from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, crude oil, petroleum products, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, construction, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions associated with industrial processes directly related to energy use, following internationally standardized carbon accounting methodologies. The indicator aggregates emissions from all energy-related sources at the national level, enabling consistent comparison of emission trends across countries and over time. Emissions are calculated using standardized fuel consumption data and internationally recognized emission factors to ensure comparability. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions other than carbon dioxide, such as methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and fluorinated gases. It does not include CO₂ emissions from non-energy industrial processes, agriculture, forestry, land-use change, waste management, or other non-energy sectors unless specifically related to fuel combustion. The indicator excludes carbon removals through carbon capture, utilization, storage (CCUS), or natural carbon sinks such as forests. It also does not measure per capita emissions, carbon intensity, or emissions embodied in international trade. Minor differences may occur due to variations in national energy reporting practices, fuel classifications, and statistical estimation methodologies.
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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