- 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.
South and Central America Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 1,308 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.7% on 2022. The Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy dataset for South & Central America 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.
South and Central America Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 1,358 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,308 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.7%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 1,358 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,115 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 243.1 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was +12.1% in 2021.
Within South and Central America, Brazil has the highest value in 2023 at 451 Million Tonnes, 34.5% 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 | 1,308 | +2.7% |
| 2022 | 1,274 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | 1,250 | +12.1% |
| 2020 Trough | 1,115 | −11.3% |
| 2019 | 1,257 | −1.5% |
| 2018 | 1,276 | −3% |
| 2017 | 1,315 | −1.2% |
| 2016 | 1,332 | −1.9% |
| 2015Peak | 1,358 | — |
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 an important indicator of regional energy demand, economic development, and progress toward emission reduction. Covering Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, and the remaining countries across the region, the dataset provides a broad assessment of energy-related carbon emissions and supports long-term analysis of regional emission trends.
South & Central America recorded 1,357.9 million tonnes of energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2015, declining to 1,331.5 million tonnes in 2016 and 1,315.3 million tonnes in 2017. Emissions continued to decrease to 1,276.3 million tonnes in 2018 and 1,257.3 million tonnes in 2019. In 2020, emissions fell sharply to 1,114.8 million tonnes because of reduced industrial production, lower transportation activity, and weaker energy demand. As economic conditions improved, emissions recovered to 1,250.2 million tonnes in 2021 and increased to 1,274.3 million tonnes in 2022, reaching 1,308.1 million tonnes in 2023. Despite this recovery, regional emissions remained below the levels recorded at the beginning of the study period.
Overall, the dataset indicates a moderate long-term decline in energy-related carbon emissions across South & Central America, interrupted by a temporary pandemic-related downturn and subsequent recovery. Emission trends reflect changing economic activity, evolving energy consumption patterns, expanding renewable energy deployment, and improvements in energy efficiency across several countries. The dataset is valuable 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 understanding the relationship between economic growth, energy consumption, and environmental sustainability across South & Central America.
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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.
South and Central America Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy was 1,308 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 2.7% on 2022.
South and Central America Carbon Dioxide Emissions From Energy moved from 1,358 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,308 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−3.7%), an average of −0.5% a year. The series high was 1,358 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,115 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 1,358 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 1,115 Million Tonnes in 2020.
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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