- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
South and Central America Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,599 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 4.3% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of South and Central 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.
South and Central America Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,701 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,599 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−6%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 1,701 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,348 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 352.8 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −11.8% in 2020.
Within South and Central America, Brazil has the highest value in 2023 at 525 Million Tonnes, 32.8% of the regional total.
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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 | 1,599 | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 1,534 | +2.6% |
| 2021 | 1,495 | +10.9% |
| 2020 Trough | 1,348 | −11.8% |
| 2019 | 1,528 | −1.9% |
| 2018 | 1,558 | −3.6% |
| 2017 | 1,616 | −2.6% |
| 2016 | 1,659 | −2.4% |
| 2015Peak | 1,701 | — |
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 development, energy demand, and progress toward climate objectives.
The region recorded total energy and process greenhouse gas emissions of 1,700.7 million tonnes in 2015, declining to 1,659.2 million tonnes in 2016, 1,616.2 million tonnes in 2017, 1,558.2 million tonnes in 2018, and 1,527.9 million tonnes in 2019. Emissions dropped further to 1,347.9 million tonnes in 2020 as economic activity and energy demand weakened before recovering to 1,495.1 million tonnes in 2021, 1,533.7 million tonnes in 2022, and 1,599.1 million tonnes in 2023. Brazil, the largest regional emitter, declined from 555.3 million tonnes in 2015 to 469.2 million tonnes in 2020 before recovering to 525.0 million tonnes in 2023. Argentina recorded 222.1 million tonnes in 2015 and 229.4 million tonnes in 2023 after a temporary decline in 2020. Chile remained relatively stable, moving from 88.9 million tonnes in 2015 to 87.9 million tonnes in 2023, while Colombia increased from 120.7 million tonnes to 138.2 million tonnes over the same period. The remaining countries contributed between 713.7 million tonnes and 618.6 million tonnes during the review period.
Overall, the dataset reflects a gradual decline in regional greenhouse gas emissions, interrupted by post-pandemic recovery. It supports regional emission monitoring, sustainability assessments, comparative analysis, long-term environmental planning, and evidence-based policymaking for effective decarbonization and climate strategies.
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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.
South and Central America Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 1,599 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 4.3% on 2022.
South and Central America Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 1,701 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 1,599 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−6%), an average of −0.8% a year. The series high was 1,701 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 1,348 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 1,701 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 1,348 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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