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Energy & PowerRegional Aggregate

Energy & Process GHG Emissionsin Middle East

- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.

Middle East Energy & Process GHG EmissionsMillion Tonnes · 2015–2023

Saudi ArabiaSaudi Arabia: 725.9725.9UAEUAE: 340.8340.8IsraelIsrael: 68.2068.20
2,9002,8002,7002,6002015: 2,612Trough2016: 2,7352017: 2,7552018: 2,7692019: 2,7482020: 2,6692021: 2,7502022: 2,8892023: 2,900Peak20152017201920212023
Remaining Countries: 1,765Saudi Arabia: 725.9UAE: 340.8Israel: 68.204countries
Remaining Countries1,765
Saudi Arabia725.9
UAE340.8
Israel68.20
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: July 2026

What Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions shows

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.4% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of the Middle East from 2015 to 2023 provides a clear and consistent view of the region's greenhouse gas emission landscape, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns over the observed period.

Trend

Rising to a series high

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 2,612 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+11%), an average of +1.3% a year. The series high was 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,612 Million Tonnes in 2015.

Volatility

A 9.9% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2023) and low (2015) is 287.2 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +5.1% in 2022.

Structure

Saudi Arabia leads the region

Within Middle East, Saudi Arabia has the highest value in 2023 at 725.9 Million Tonnes, 25% of the regional total.

Country ranking

Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023

Million Tonnes. Sort by any column, or search for a country.

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Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023.
Rank↕ Country↕ Share of top Million Tonnes↕ vs 2022
1 Saudi Arabia
725.9 +0.7%
2 UAE
340.8 +1.3%
3 Israel
68.20 −2.6%

By region

Energy & Process GHG Emissions by region

Million Tonnes, 2023. Each bar is that region's total.

Full series

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions, 2015–2023, Million Tonnes.
YearMillion TonnesChange vs prior year
2023Peak 2,900 +0.4%
2022 2,889 +5.1%
2021 2,750 +3%
2020 2,669 −2.9%
2019 2,748 −0.8%
2018 2,769 +0.5%
2017 2,755 +0.7%
2016 2,735 +4.7%
2015 Trough2,612 —

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

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.

Inclusions

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.

Exclusions

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.

About this indicator

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 million tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of environmental performance, industrial activity, energy demand, and progress toward regional climate objectives.

The Middle East recorded 2,612.30 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, increasing to 2,734.60 million tonnes in 2016 and 2,754.70 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions rose slightly to 2,768.70 million tonnes in 2018 before easing to 2,747.90 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions declined to 2,668.80 million tonnes owing to weaker industrial activity and lower energy demand. Regional emissions recovered to 2,749.80 million tonnes in 2021, climbed to 2,888.70 million tonnes in 2022, and reached 2,899.50 million tonnes in 2023, the highest level during the review period. Saudi Arabia remained the region's largest contributor throughout the period, while the United Arab Emirates, Israel, and remaining Middle Eastern countries also made substantial contributions to overall greenhouse gas emissions and influenced regional trends.

Overall, the dataset indicates a moderate long-term increase in greenhouse gas emissions across the Middle East despite the temporary decline in 2020. It supports monitoring regional emission performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, assessing progress toward decarbonization and climate policy objectives, conducting sustainability assessments and regional comparisons, and forecasting future emission trends. The dataset also provides policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders with a reliable basis for evaluating emission reduction strategies and strengthening long-term environmental planning across the region.

Indicator
Energy & Process GHG Emissions
Region
Middle East
Unit
Million Tonnes
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
July 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

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.

What was Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions in 2023?

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.4% on 2022.

How has Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions changed between 2015 and 2023?

Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 2,612 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+11%), an average of +1.3% a year. The series high was 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the low 2,612 Million Tonnes in 2015.

Which year had the highest and lowest Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

The highest value was 2,900 Million Tonnes in 2023 and the lowest was 2,612 Million Tonnes in 2015.

What does the Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions data include and exclude?

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.

Where does the Middle East Energy & Process GHG Emissions data come from?

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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