- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
U.S. Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 5,130 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of the United States 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.
U.S. Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 5,541 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 5,130 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−7.4%), an average of −1% a year. The series high was 5,579 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 4,913 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2018) and low (2020) is 666.1 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −10.3% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, U.S. ranks 2 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and India (3,122 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 12.7% 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 | 5,130 | −2.7% |
| 2022 | 5,270 | +1.4% |
| 2021 | 5,197 | +5.8% |
| 2020 Trough | 4,913 | −10.3% |
| 2019 | 5,474 | −1.9% |
| 2018Peak | 5,579 | +3.8% |
| 2017 | 5,375 | −0.8% |
| 2016 | 5,416 | −2.3% |
| 2015 | 5,541 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. U.S. 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 billion tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of economic activity, energy demand, and environmental performance.
The United States recorded 5.54 billion tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, followed by a modest decline to 5.42 billion tonnes in 2016 and 5.38 billion tonnes in 2017. Emissions increased to 5.58 billion tonnes in 2018, representing the highest level during the review period, before easing to 5.47 billion tonnes in 2019. A significant decline occurred in 2020, when emissions fell to 4.91 billion tonnes, reflecting reduced industrial activity and lower energy consumption. Emissions recovered to 5.20 billion tonnes in 2021 and increased slightly to 5.27 billion tonnes in 2022 as economic activity strengthened. In 2023, emissions moderated to 5.13 billion tonnes, remaining above the 2020 level but below the pre-pandemic peak.
Overall, the dataset indicates moderate fluctuations with a gradual long-term decline despite short-term recoveries. The sharp reduction in 2020 followed by partial rebounds demonstrates the sensitivity of emissions to economic conditions, industrial production, and energy consumption patterns. Although emissions recovered after the pandemic, they remained below the highest levels recorded earlier in the period.
The dataset is valuable for monitoring greenhouse gas performance, assessing industrial and energy-sector emissions, supporting climate policy evaluation, and benchmarking progress toward national decarbonization objectives. It also serves as a reliable resource for researchers, policymakers, and industry analysts examining emission trajectories, sustainability initiatives, infrastructure planning, and long-term environmental performance across the United States.
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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.
U.S. Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 5,130 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 2.7% on 2022.
U.S. Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 5,541 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 5,130 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−7.4%), an average of −1% a year. The series high was 5,579 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the low 4,913 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 5,579 Million Tonnes in 2018 and the lowest was 4,913 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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