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Energy & Power🇪🇸 Spain

Spain 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.

Spain Energy & Process GHG EmissionsMillion Tonnes · 2015–2023

3503002502002015: 296.32016: 288.92017: 306.7Peak2018: 301.32019: 283.82020: 229.8Trough2021: 2512022: 268.52023: 254.920152017201920212023
Source: energyinst.orgLast updated: July 2026

What Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions shows

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 254.9 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 5.1% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Spain 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.

Trend

Lower over the period

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 296.3 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 254.9 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−14%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 306.7 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 229.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.

Volatility

A 25.1% peak-to-trough swing

The gap between the series high (2017) and low (2020) is 76.90 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −19% in 2020.

Structure

Ranks 26 of 36 countries covered

Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Spain ranks 26 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.6% of the global total in 2023.

Full series

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions by year

Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.

Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions, 2015–2023, Million Tonnes.
YearMillion TonnesChange vs prior year
2023 254.9 −5.1%
2022 268.5 +7%
2021 251 +9.2%
2020 Trough229.8 −19%
2019 283.8 −5.8%
2018 301.3 −1.8%
2017Peak 306.7 +6.2%
2016 288.9 −2.5%
2015 296.3 —

Regional context

How Spain compares in Europe

Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Spain is highlighted.

1Germany
589.4
2Turkey
457.1
3UK
338.5
4Italy
312.7
5France
262.9
6Spain
254.9
7Netherlands
156.5
8Sweden
37.10

Data definition

Inclusions and exclusions

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.

Inclusions

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.

Exclusions

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.

About this indicator

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 represents greenhouse gas emissions from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it a key indicator of environmental performance and economic development.

Spain recorded 296.30 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, declining to 288.90 million tonnes in 2016 before increasing to 306.70 million tonnes in 2017, the highest level during the review period. Emissions eased to 301.30 million tonnes in 2018 and 283.80 million tonnes in 2019. A substantial decline occurred in 2020, when emissions dropped to 229.80 million tonnes following reduced industrial activity and energy consumption. Emissions recovered to 251.00 million tonnes in 2021 and 268.50 million tonnes in 2022 as economic conditions improved. In 2023, emissions moderated to 254.90 million tonnes, remaining well below the levels recorded before 2020.

Overall, the dataset reflects moderate fluctuations with a clear long-term downward trajectory. The significant decline in 2020 followed by a measured recovery illustrates the influence of economic activity on greenhouse gas emissions while indicating sustained progress toward lower emission levels over time.

The dataset supports assessments of greenhouse gas performance, industrial emissions, and national climate policies while providing valuable insights into long-term sustainability trends. It is useful for comparative regional analysis, infrastructure planning, environmental forecasting, and policy evaluation. Researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders can also use the data to monitor emission reduction progress, evaluate decarbonization initiatives, and analyze the relationship between industrial activity, energy demand, and greenhouse gas emissions across Spain.

Indicator
Energy & Process GHG Emissions
Country
Spain
Region
Europe
Unit
Million Tonnes
Coverage
2015–2023, annual
Category
Energy & Power
Last updated
July 2026
Source
energyinst.org

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Frequently asked questions

What is Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

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.

What was Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions in 2023?

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 254.9 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 5.1% on 2022.

How has Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions changed between 2015 and 2023?

Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 296.3 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 254.9 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−14%), an average of −1.9% a year. The series high was 306.7 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the low 229.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.

Which year had the highest and lowest Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions?

The highest value was 306.7 Million Tonnes in 2017 and the lowest was 229.8 Million Tonnes in 2020.

What does the Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions data include and exclude?

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.

Where does the Spain Energy & Process GHG Emissions data come from?

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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