- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
North America Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 6,289 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 1.8% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of North America 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.
North America Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 6,715 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 6,289 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−6.3%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 6,776 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 5,962 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 814 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −10.4% in 2020.
Within North America, U.S. has the highest value in 2023 at 5,130 Million Tonnes, 81.6% of the regional total.
Country ranking
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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 |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6,289 | −1.8% |
| 2022 | 6,405 | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 6,291 | +5.5% |
| 2020 Trough | 5,962 | −10.4% |
| 2019 | 6,651 | −1.8% |
| 2018Peak | 6,776 | +3.1% |
| 2017 | 6,571 | −0.3% |
| 2016 | 6,587 | −1.9% |
| 2015 | 6,715 | — |
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 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 climate objectives.
North America recorded 6,714.80 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, declining to 6,587.30 million tonnes in 2016 and 6,570.80 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions increased to 6,776.00 million tonnes in 2018, the highest level during the review period, before easing to 6,651.00 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions fell sharply to 5,962.00 million tonnes as industrial production, transportation, and energy demand weakened during the global pandemic. Economic recovery supported emissions rising to 6,291.10 million tonnes in 2021 and 6,405.00 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, regional emissions declined slightly to 6,289.30 million tonnes, remaining above 2021 levels but below those recorded before the pandemic. Throughout the period, the United States remained the largest contributor to regional emissions, while Canada and Mexico accounted for comparatively smaller yet stable shares.
Overall, the dataset indicates relatively stable regional greenhouse gas emissions with temporary fluctuations driven by economic activity and energy consumption. It serves as an important resource for monitoring emission performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector trends, assessing decarbonization progress, supporting sustainability assessments, regional benchmarking, long-term environmental planning, and future emission forecasting. The information also enables policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to evaluate emission reduction strategies and strengthen evidence-based climate and energy policies across North America.
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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.
North America Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 6,289 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 1.8% on 2022.
North America Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 6,715 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 6,289 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−6.3%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 6,776 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 5,962 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 6,776 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 5,962 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.
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