- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Saudi Arabia Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 725.9 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.7% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Saudi Arabia 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.
Saudi Arabia Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 709 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 725.9 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+2.4%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 745.8 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 658.1 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2016) and low (2020) is 87.70 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +6.6% in 2022.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Saudi Arabia ranks 7 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 1.8% 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 | 725.9 | +0.7% |
| 2022 | 720.9 | +6.6% |
| 2021 | 676.3 | +2.8% |
| 2020 Trough | 658.1 | −3.1% |
| 2019 | 679.2 | −5.5% |
| 2018 | 719 | −2.1% |
| 2017 | 734.5 | −1.5% |
| 2016Peak | 745.8 | +5.2% |
| 2015 | 709 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Saudi Arabia 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 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 output, energy demand, and progress toward climate objectives.
Saudi Arabia recorded 709.00 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, increasing to 745.80 million tonnes in 2016 before easing to 734.50 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to decline to 719.00 million tonnes in 2018 and 679.20 million tonnes in 2019, reflecting moderation in energy consumption and industrial emissions. A further decline occurred in 2020, when emissions fell to 658.10 million tonnes amid reduced economic activity and lower energy demand. As the economy recovered, emissions increased to 676.30 million tonnes in 2021 and 720.90 million tonnes in 2022. The upward trend continued in 2023, when emissions reached 725.90 million tonnes, remaining below the peak recorded in 2016 while indicating renewed expansion across energy-intensive sectors.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates moderate fluctuations with a temporary decline during 2018–2020 followed by gradual recovery. The rebound after the pandemic reflects stronger industrial production, increasing energy demand, and expanding economic activity while highlighting the importance of improving energy efficiency and accelerating low-carbon development.
The dataset provides valuable insights for monitoring greenhouse gas performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, and assessing progress toward climate and decarbonization goals. It also supports sustainability assessments, environmental planning, regional benchmarking, and long-term emission forecasting, enabling policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to strengthen emission reduction strategies and support sustainable economic development.
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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.
Saudi Arabia Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 725.9 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.7% on 2022.
Saudi Arabia Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 709 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 725.9 Million Tonnes in 2023 (+2.4%), an average of +0.3% a year. The series high was 745.8 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the low 658.1 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 745.8 Million Tonnes in 2016 and the lowest was 658.1 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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