- 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 Korea Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 3.6% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of South Korea from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s greenhouse gas emission profile, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns throughout the review period.
South Korea Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 648.6 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−8.4%), an average of −1.1% a year. The series high was 683.9 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2023) is 89.70 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −7.5% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, South Korea ranks 9 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 1.5% 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 Trough | 594.2 | −3.6% |
| 2022 | 616.3 | −1.7% |
| 2021 | 627 | +2.6% |
| 2020 | 611 | −7.5% |
| 2019 | 660.3 | −3.5% |
| 2018Peak | 683.9 | +2.3% |
| 2017 | 668.2 | +1.3% |
| 2016 | 659.9 | +1.7% |
| 2015 | 648.6 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. South Korea 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 captures greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial processes, making it an important indicator for evaluating environmental performance, industrial development, energy consumption, and progress toward climate and sustainability objectives.
South Korea recorded **648.60 million tonnes** of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, increasing to **659.90 million tonnes** in 2016 and **668.20 million tonnes** in 2017. Emissions continued to rise, reaching **683.90 million tonnes** in 2018, the highest level before the pandemic. In 2019, emissions moderated to **660.30 million tonnes**, followed by a more pronounced decline to **611.00 million tonnes** in 2020 as reduced industrial activity and lower energy demand affected overall emissions. Economic recovery contributed to emissions increasing to **627.00 million tonnes** in 2021. However, emissions eased to **616.30 million tonnes** in 2022 before declining further to **594.20 million tonnes** in 2023, representing the lowest level recorded during the review period.
Overall, the dataset indicates gradual long-term progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite temporary fluctuations associated with changing economic conditions. The continued decline after 2021 reflects improvements in energy efficiency, ongoing changes in the electricity generation mix, and sustained efforts to lower carbon intensity across industrial and energy sectors.
The dataset serves as a valuable resource for monitoring national greenhouse gas performance, evaluating emissions from industrial and energy-related activities, supporting sustainability assessments, and measuring progress toward decarbonization goals. It also enables policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to benchmark emission trends, assess climate policies, forecast future emissions, and develop effective strategies for achieving long-term sustainable economic growth.
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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 Korea Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 3.6% on 2022.
South Korea Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 648.6 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−8.4%), an average of −1.1% a year. The series high was 683.9 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023.
The highest value was 683.9 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 594.2 Million Tonnes in 2023.
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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