- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
UK Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 338.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 3.6% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of the United Kingdom 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.
UK Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 453.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 338.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−25.4%), an average of −3.6% a year. The series high was 453.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 332.6 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The gap between the series high (2015) and low (2020) is 120.9 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −15.7% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, UK ranks 18 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 0.8% 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 | 338.5 | −3.6% |
| 2022 | 351.2 | +0.2% |
| 2021 | 350.4 | +5.4% |
| 2020 Trough | 332.6 | −15.7% |
| 2019 | 394.4 | −3.8% |
| 2018 | 409.8 | −1.6% |
| 2017 | 416.6 | −2.4% |
| 2016 | 427 | −5.8% |
| 2015Peak | 453.5 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. UK 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 reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial process activities, making it an important indicator of environmental performance, economic activity, and long-term sustainability.
The United Kingdom recorded 453.50 million tonnes of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. Emissions declined to 427.00 million tonnes in 2016 and 416.60 million tonnes in 2017, indicating a steady downward trajectory. This trend continued with emissions falling to 409.80 million tonnes in 2018 and 394.40 million tonnes in 2019. A sharper decline occurred in 2020, when emissions dropped to 332.60 million tonnes, reflecting reduced industrial operations and lower energy demand. As economic activity recovered, emissions increased moderately to 350.40 million tonnes in 2021 and 351.20 million tonnes in 2022. In 2023, emissions eased to 338.50 million tonnes, remaining substantially below the levels recorded at the beginning of the review period.
Overall, the dataset illustrates a sustained long-term decline in greenhouse gas emissions despite temporary fluctuations linked to changing economic conditions. The post-2020 recovery was relatively modest, indicating that emission levels remained lower than pre-pandemic values while reflecting ongoing improvements in energy efficiency, cleaner energy adoption, and industrial emission management.
The dataset is valuable for monitoring greenhouse gas performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, and assessing progress toward national climate and decarbonization goals. It also supports comparative studies, sustainability assessments, policy evaluation, long-term environmental planning, and emission forecasting, providing researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders with a dependable foundation for analyzing emission patterns and supporting evidence-based environmental decision-making.
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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.
UK Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 338.5 Million Tonnes in 2023, down 3.6% on 2022.
UK Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 453.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 338.5 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−25.4%), an average of −3.6% a year. The series high was 453.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the low 332.6 Million Tonnes in 2020.
The highest value was 453.5 Million Tonnes in 2015 and the lowest was 332.6 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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