Executive summary of the report: Greenhouse gas sources and sinks in Canada: 2026

Executive summary

ES.1 Key points

In 2024, Canada’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (excluding the Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry [LULUCF] sector) were 685 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂ eq)^{Footnote 1} , a decrease of 78 Mt (-10%) from 2005, and a decrease of 2.2 Mt (-0.3%) from revised 2023 emissions.

The most notable trends in Canada’s emission profile between 2005 and 2024 were from Electricity as well as Oil and gas sources. Emissions from Electricity decreased by 66 Mt (-57%) over this period driven by the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation. Oil and gas emissions increased by 10 Mt (5.1%), although emissions peaked in 2014 at 230 Mt and have since decreased by 22 Mt (-9.6%) to 208 Mt in 2024, consistent with measured decreases of fugitive methane sources in recent years.

Methane emissions reached their lowest reported levels in 2024 at 105 Mt CO₂ eq, decreasing by 47 Mt (31%) since 2005 and by 39 Mt (27%) since 2012^{Footnote 2} . This was driven by the Oil and Gas sector, which accounted for almost 80% of the decline. Since the peak of Oil and Gas methane emissions in 2014, emissions have decreased by 46%, largely in response to federal and provincial regulations designed to reduce methane emissions.

The emissions intensity for the entire Canadian economy (GHG per gross domestic product [GDP]) has continued to decline; in 2024 it had declined by 48% since 1990 and by 37% since 2005.

As with every National Inventory Report (NIR) edition, improvements have been implemented resulting in revisions to previously published data. Overall, this edition of the inventory shows an upward revision of 4.3 Mt in 2005 and a downward revision of 7.0 Mt in 2023, compared with the previously published inventory in 2025. Enhanced methods use Canadian-specific studies and knowledge, facilitate the adoption of new scientific data and better reflect evolving technologies and industry practices.

Canada’s NIR is a scientific report representing Canada’s historical emissions since 1990, which, along with other publications such as Canada’s Biennial Transparency Report (BTR), informs and supports decision-making to reduce GHG emissions and combat climate change, as reflected in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Consistent with Canada's Nationally Determined Contribution, reporting of progress towards emission reduction targets combines emissions from four sectors of Canada’s NIR – Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use (IPPU), Agriculture and Waste – with the accounting contribution from the LULUCF sector, calculated and reported separately in Canada’s BTR. Information on the LULUCF accounting approach can be found in Canada’s BTR and Canada’s GHG and Air Pollutant Emissions Projections Reports. The 2026 NIR is a joint submission with Canada’s second BTR under the Paris Agreement.

ES.2 Introduction

The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international treaty established in 1992 to cooperatively address climate change issues. The ultimate objective of the UNFCCC is to stabilize atmospheric GHG concentrations at a level that would prevent dangerous interference with the climate system. Canada ratified the UNFCCC in 1992, and the Convention came into force in 1994. To strengthen the global response to climate change, multiple international agreements were introduced under the UNFCCC. The most recent one is the Paris Agreement, a legally binding international treaty with the overarching goal to limit the global average temperature rise to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit the increase to 1.5°C. Canada, recognizing the significance of collective action, ratified the Paris Agreement in 2016, and the Agreement entered into force the same year. Since then, Canada adopted 2005 as the base year for its GHG emission reduction targets.

To achieve its objective and implement its provisions, the Paris Agreement sets out several guiding principles and commitments. Specifically, Article 13 establishes an enhanced transparency framework for action and support. It commits all Parties to develop, periodically update, publish and make available to the Conference of the Parties their national inventories of anthropogenic emissions by sources, and removals by sinks, of seven GHGs.

Canada’s official GHG inventory is prepared and submitted annually to the UNFCCC in accordance with the modalities, procedures and guidelines (MPGs) for the transparency framework for action and support referred to in Article 13 of the Paris Agreement, adopted through Decision 18/CMA.1 in 2018^{Footnote 3} . The annual inventory submission under the UNFCCC consists of the NIR and Common Reporting Tables (CRTs), submitted by April 15 of each year.

The GHG inventory includes emissions and removals of carbon dioxide (CO₂), and emissions of methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) and nitrogen trifluoride (NF₃) in five sectors (Energy, Industrial Processes and Product Use [IPPU], Agriculture, Waste, and Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry [LULUCF]). The GHG emission and removal estimates contained in Canada’s GHG inventory are developed using methodologies consistent with the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. In line with the principle of continuous improvement, the underlying data and methodology for estimating emissions are revised over time; hence, total emissions in all years are subject to change as both data and methods are improved (see section ES.8).

In 2021, Canada formally submitted its enhanced Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to the UNFCCC, committing to cut its GHG emissions by 40% to 45% below 2005 levels by 2030 (see The NIR: Scientific Evidence for Decision Makers box that follows). Canada submitted its NDC for 2035 to the UNFCCC in February 2025. With this new NDC, Canada commits to reducing GHG emissions by 45%-50% below 2005 levels by 2035. Since 2005 was adopted as a base year for Canada’s targets, many of the metrics in this report are presented in that context, in addition to the 1990 base year as required by the MPGs. In keeping with the reporting requirements, the GHG inventory reports annual emissions from 1990 up to and including the year ending 15 ½ months prior to its submission to the UNFCCC in April (e.g., 2024 for the 2026 edition of the inventory).

Consistent with Canada's Nationally Determined Contribution, progress towards Canada’s targets is measured by combining information from Canada’s NIR to its LULUCF contribution in accordance with Canada’s approach to LULUCF accounting, which is reported separately in Canada’s First Biennial Transparency Report submitted to the UNFCCC and Canada’s GHG and Air Pollutant Emissions Projections Reports.

Section ES.3 of this Executive Summary provides an overview of the latest information on Canada’s net anthropogenic GHG emissions and links this information to relevant indicators of the Canadian economy. Section ES.4 outlines the major trends in emissions by IPCC sectors over the 2005 to 2024 period.

For the purposes of analyzing economic trends and policies, emissions have been allocated to the economic sector from which they originate. Section ES.5 presents Canada’s emissions broken down by the following economic sectors: Oil and Gas, Electricity, Transport, Heavy Industry, Buildings, Agriculture, and Waste and others^{Footnote 4} . Throughout this report, the word “sector” generally refers to activity sectors as defined by the IPCC for national GHG inventories, except when the expression “economic sectors” is used in reference to the Canadian context.

Section ES.6 summarizes GHG emissions for Canada’s 13 subnational jurisdictions. Section ES.7 gives an overview of the key category analysis and results. Section ES.8 presents an overview of the improvements incorporated into this inventory, as well as planned improvements for future editions. Finally, section ES.9 provides some detail on the components of this submission and outlines key elements of its preparation.

ES.3 Overview of national GHG emissions (1990 to 2024) 

Canada accounts for approximately 1.4% of global GHG emissions (Climate Watch, 2026 for the year 2022), making it the 11th largest emitter. While Canada is one of the highest per capita emitters, per capita emissions have declined since 2005 from 24 t CO₂ eq/capita to 17 t CO₂ eq/capita in 2024 (StatCan, n.d.[a])^{Footnote 5} .

Emission breakdown by sector (2024)

In 2024, Canada’s GHG emissions were 685 Mt CO₂ eq, excluding the LULUCF sector^{Footnote 6} . The Energy sector (consisting of Stationary Combustion Sources, Transport and Fugitive Sources) emitted the largest share (81%) of Canada’s total GHG emissions (Figure ES–1). The remaining emissions were generated by the Agriculture and IPPU sectors, with contributions from the Waste sector. When included with emissions from other sectors, LULUCF sector emissions corresponded to 0.6% of the national total in 2024.
Figure ES–1: Breakdown of Canada’s Emissions by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Sector (2024)

Total: 685 Mt CO₂ eq

Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Emission breakdown by GHG (2024)

Canada’s emissions profile is similar to most industrialized countries, in that CO₂ is the largest contributor to total emissions, accounting for 540 Mt or 79% of total emissions in 2024, as shown by the largest part of Figure ES–2. Most CO₂ emissions in Canada result from the combustion of fossil fuels. CH₄ emissions in 2024 amounted to 105 Mt or 15% of Canada’s total and were the second-largest contributor. These emissions consist largely of fugitive^{Footnote 7} emissions from oil and natural gas systems (46 Mt), agriculture (31 Mt) and landfills (19 Mt). Emissions of N₂O accounted for 29 Mt or 4.2% of Canada’s emissions in 2024, which mostly arise from agricultural soil management (18 Mt). Emissions of synthetic gases (HFCs, PFCs, SF₆ and NF₃) accounted for less than 2% of national emissions.

Figure ES–2: Breakdown of Canada’s emissions by GHG (2024)

Total: 685 Mt CO₂ eq

Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Changes in total emissions (1990 to 2024)

After fluctuations in recent years, overall, Canada’s GHG emissions in 2024 have decreased by 78 Mt or 10% since 2005. In general, year-to-year fluctuations are superimposed over trends observed over a longer period. During the period covered in this report, Canada’s economy grew more rapidly than its GHG emissions. As a result, the emissions intensity for the entire economy (GHG per GDP) has continued to decline; in 2024 it had declined by 48% since 1990 and by 37% since 2005 (Figure ES–3). The decline in emissions intensity can be attributed to factors such as fuel switching, increases in efficiency, the modernization of industrial processes and structural changes in the economy.

Figure ES–3: Canadian GHG emissions and indexed trend emissions intensity (excluding Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF))

Notes: NA = Not applicable

GDP data source = StatCan (n.d.[b])

Over the last 10 years (2015 to 2024), total emissions decreased by 59 Mt or 7.9%. Since 2015, significant decreases occurred from Oil and Natural Gas Fugitive Sources (-33 Mt or -34%) as well as Public Electricity and Heat Production (-25 Mt or -31%). These decreases can be explained mostly by methane emission reductions from conventional oil and gas activities (more specifically from decreased venting) as well as the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation and increased electricity generation from renewable sources. In contrast, from 2015 to 2024, Oil and Gas Extraction combustion emissions increased by 12 Mt (12%), mainly attributed to continued production growth in Canada’s oil sands operations. Emissions from some transport sources increased as well, notably Light-Duty Gasoline Trucks by 6.2 Mt (13%) and Other Transportation^{Footnote 8} by 3.4 Mt (6.8%). The increase from Light-Duty Gasoline Trucks is related with an increase in the off- and on-road vehicle fleet, leading to more kilometres driven overall, whereas for the Other Transportation category, this coincides with increased transport of natural gas in pipelines.

When observing long-term emission trends, large-scale events can have a significant impact on a portion of the time series analyzed and should be considered. The years 2020 and 2021 were marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. This coincides with an abrupt decrease of 67 Mt (9.0%) in total GHG emissions between 2019 and 2020, with almost half from Transport (-32 Mt or -15%). The year after, between 2020 and 2021, emissions increased slightly by 10 Mt (1.5%) and between 2021 and 2022 they continued to increase by 4.5 Mt (0.7%), while remaining below their 2019 pre-pandemic levels. Finally, between 2022 and 2024, emissions decreased by 11 Mt (1.6%). Impacts of the pandemic, more pronounced in 2020, are now harder to distinguish in the latest years. Notwithstanding the abrupt decrease between 2019 and 2020, and recent year changes, the general breakdown of emissions by IPCC sector has not substantially changed over time (Figure ES–4).

Figure ES–4: Trends in Canadian GHG emissions by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sector (2005 to 2024)

ES.4 GHG Emissions and trends by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sector

Trends in emissions (2005 to 2024)

Over the 2005–2024 period, total emissions are down by 78 Mt or 10% with decreases in emissions from all IPCC sectors. The Energy sector dominated, with emission decreases of 38 Mt (11%) from Stationary Combustion Sources, 34 Mt (34%) from Fugitive Sources and 1.3 Mt (0.7%) from Transport (Table ES–1). Over the same period, emissions are down by 3.5 Mt (6.2%) in the IPPU sector and 0.96 Mt (4.1%) in the Waste sector. Agriculture sector emissions have remained relatively stable with a decrease of 0.39 Mt (0.7%) (Figure ES–5).

Chapter 2 provides more information on GHG emissions trends since 1990 and 2005 and their drivers. Further breakdowns of emissions and a complete time series can be found on the Government of Canada’s Open Data website.

Figure ES–5: Changes in emissions by IPCC Sector (2005–2024)

Energy – 2024 GHG emissions (552 Mt)

In 2024, GHG emissions from the IPCC Energy sector (552 Mt) were 12% lower than in 2005 (626 Mt). Within the Energy sector, emissions increased by 46 Mt (73%) from Oil and Gas Extraction, 3.6 Mt (7.2%) from Other Transportation, 1.4 Mt (35%) from Mining and Quarrying, and 1.3 Mt (57%) from Agriculture and Forestry. These emissions were offset by decreases of 65 Mt (53%) from Public Electricity and Heat Production, 34 Mt (34%) from Fugitive Sources, 8.7 Mt (19%) from Manufacturing Industries, 8.4 Mt (19%) from the Residential category, 5.4 Mt (27%) from Petroleum Refining, and 4.1 Mt (3.3%) from Road Transportation.

Stationary combustion sources (298 Mt)

From 2005 to 2024, stationary combustion emissions from Oil and Gas Extraction increased 46 Mt (73%), consistent with a 254% rise in crude bitumen and synthetic crude oil production from Canada’s oil sands operations.

Decreasing electricity generation from coal and refined petroleum product (RPP) usage (by 84% and 77%, respectively) and an increase in the amount of low-emitting generation in the mix^{Footnote 9} were the largest drivers of the 65 Mt (53%) decrease in emissions associated with Public Electricity and Heat Production between 2005 and 2024. Since 2005, reduced consumption of more GHG-intensive fossil fuels (coal and RPPs), accounted for 50% of the decrease in emissions from Public Electricity and Heat Production. Significant emission reductions in GHG-intensive fossil fuels occurred in Ontario (99%), Alberta (98%), Manitoba (91%), New Brunswick (58%), Nova Scotia (57%), and Saskatchewan (38%). Emission fluctuations over the period reflect variations in the mix of electricity generation sources. Since 2005, the increase in electricity generated from low-emitting sources accounted for 29% of the decrease in emissions.

The 8.4 Mt (19%) decrease in emissions in the Residential category between 2005 and 2024 is largely driven by energy efficiency improvements, with smaller decreases due to warmer weather and reduced consumption of light fuel oil offset by an increase in population and floor space.

GHG emissions from fuel consumption in Manufacturing Industries decreased by 8.7 Mt (19%) between 2005 and 2024, consistent with a 16% decrease in energy use (StatCan, n.d.[c]). The decrease occurred in Other Manufacturing (-4.1 Mt or -25%), Pulp and Paper (-2.8 Mt or -33%), Cement (-1.7 Mt or -34%), Non-Ferrous Metals (-0.88 Mt or -23%), and Iron and Steel (-0.42 Mt or -8.4%), in contrast with an increase in Chemicals (1.2 Mt or 15%).

Since 2005, one petroleum refinery in Alberta has permanently closed (2012), while four others either converted to terminal facilities or renewable energy production facilities including one in Ontario (2005), Quebec (2010), Nova Scotia (2013), and Newfoundland and Labrador (2020) contributing to the decrease of 5.4 Mt (27%) in Petroleum Refining Industries emissions.

Transport (189 Mt)

Most transport emissions in Canada are related to Road Transportation, which includes personal transportation (light-duty vehicles and trucks) and heavy-duty vehicles. The general growth trend in road transportation emissions through the time series is largely due to an increase in driving: more cars and trucks on the road are using more fuel and therefore generating greater emissions, despite continued reductions in the emissions produced by each individual vehicle. Further, despite a reduction in kilometres driven per vehicle, the total population of the vehicle fleet in 2024 had increased by 37% since 2005 leading to more kilometres driven overall. Also contributing to more vehicle kilometers driven over this time period, within the total vehicle population, was a decrease in the number of light-duty vehicles (i.e.,  cars); and an increase in the number of heavy-duty vehicles that typically contribute more vehicle kilometers travelled per vehicle.

From 2005 to 2019, emissions from Transport have generally increased. From 2019 to 2020, the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Transport emissions decreased below 2005 levels as travel from aircraft and light-duty on-road vehicles decreased. From 2021 to 2024, as travel demand returns to pre-pandemic levels, Transport emissions increased by 4.9 Mt, bringing them 1.3 Mt below 2005 levels and still below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Fugitive sources (66 Mt)

Fugitive Sources are comprised of flaring, venting and unintentional emissions from fossil fuel production (coal, oil and natural gas) with emissions from the oil and gas industry generally accounting for approximately 98% of total fugitive emissions in Canada. Since 2005, almost 230 000 productive oil and gas wells have been drilled and the annual number of producing wells has increased by 2%. Crude oil and natural gas production has also increased by 60%, mostly due to Canada’s Oil Sands. Even with the increased output and activity, emissions from Fugitive Sources have decreased by 34 Mt (34%). This includes a 5.6% increase from 100 Mt in 2005 to a peak in 2014 of 105 Mt. Since 2014, emissions have decreased by 38 Mt (37%) as a result of measures to increase the conservation of natural gas (comprised mainly of CH₄) and federal and provincial measures to reduce methane emissions from the upstream oil and gas industry. The reduction of emissions coinciding with increased production highlights the reduction in emission intensities that have been achieved (see Chapter 2 for more details).

CO₂ Transport and storage (0.65 kt)

Carbon capture involves the capture of anthropogenic CO₂ from industrial processes or fuel combustion sources. The captured CO₂ is transported to, and injected at, long-term storage (LTS) facilities or enhanced oil recovery (EOR) sites. Injection into LTS began in 2015, and in 2024 approximately 1.0 Mt of captured CO₂ was placed in geological formations for LTS. EOR use of industrial captured CO₂ began in 2000, and in 2024 about 3.3 Mt of captured CO₂ was injected to support EOR operations, of which approximately 870 kt was imported from the United States. At 2024 year-end, a cumulative total of 10.4 Mt of captured CO₂ was placed in LTS and 58.3 Mt was injected for EOR.

Due to the increase in activity associated with this category, fugitive emissions from CO₂ capture, transport, use and storage increased from 0.09 kt in 2005 to 0.65 kt in 2024. See Chapter 3, section 3.4, for more details on carbon capture and storage volumes and associated emissions.

Industrial processes and product use – 2024 GHG emissions (53 Mt)

The IPPU sector covers non-energy GHG emissions that result from manufacturing processes and use of products, such as limestone calcination in cement production and the use of HFCs and PFCs as replacement refrigerants for ozone-depleting substances (ODSs). Emissions from the IPPU sector contributed 53 Mt (7.8%) to Canada’s 2024 emissions.

Between 2005 and 2024, process emissions from most IPPU categories decreased. Lower cement and lime production, and closures or indefinite idling of multiple facilities contributed to an emission decrease of 1.3 Mt (13%). Emissions from the Iron and Steel Industry decreased by 1.3 Mt (12%) during the period because of the closure of a facility in 2013. The Aluminium Industry also saw a decline in its process emissions of 2.3 Mt (28%), largely due to the implementation of technological improvements and the shutdown of older smelters using Søderberg technology. The closure of primary magnesium plants in 2007 and 2008 as well accounted for 1.1 Mt (79%) of the overall decrease. Another emission decrease of 2.3 Mt (100%) came from the 2009 closure of the sole Canadian adipic acid plant located in Ontario.

A notable exception to the overall decrease in IPPU emissions was the 4.9 Mt (101%) increase in emissions from the use of HFCs to replace chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) since 2005. However, since 2018, HFC emissions have decreased by 2.0 Mt (17%), primarily due to a reduction in HFC imports, coinciding with the implementation of federal regulations gradually phasing down HFCs.

Agriculture – 2024 GHG emissions (56 Mt)

The Agriculture sector covers non-energy GHG emissions related to the production of crops and livestock. In 2024, emissions from Agriculture accounted for 56 Mt, or 8.2% of total GHG emissions for Canada, including 30% and 76% of national CH₄ and N₂O emissions, respectively.

The main drivers of the emission trend in the Agriculture sector are the fluctuations in livestock populations and the application of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers to agricultural soils mainly in the Prairie provinces. Since 2005, fertilizer use has increased by 108%, while major livestock populations peaked in 2005, then decreased sharply until 2011. As a result, emissions in 2024 are roughly equivalent to 2005, though the contribution of emissions from crop production has increased relative to the livestock sector. In 2024, emissions from livestock feed consumption and digestion (enteric fermentation) accounted for 47% of total agricultural emissions, and the application of inorganic nitrogen fertilizers accounted for 19% of total agricultural emissions.

Waste – 2024 GHG emissions (23 Mt)

The Waste sector includes GHG emissions from the treatment and disposal of liquid and solid wastes. Emissions from Waste contributed 23 Mt (3.3%) to Canada’s total emissions in 2024.

The primary sources of emissions in 2024 for the Waste sector are Landfills (19 Mt or 85% of total emissions from this sector), including municipal solid waste (MSW) and industrial wood waste disposal. Wastewater Treatment and Discharge accounted for 2.6 Mt (12%) of the Waste sector emissions. Other sources include Biological Treatment of Solid Waste (composting) (2.7%), and Incineration and Open Burning of Waste (0.7%).

Between 2005 and 2024, CO₂ eq emissions from MSW landfills decreased by 6.0%. Of the 33 Mt CO₂ eq of CH₄ generated by MSW landfills in 2024, 18 Mt CO₂ eq (56%) were emitted to the atmosphere, while 12 Mt CO₂ eq (37%) were captured by landfill gas collection facilities and flared or used for energy (compared to 30% in 2005). The remaining 2.0 Mt (6.2%) is assumed to be oxidized through landfill cover materials.

Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry – 2024 (Net GHG source of 4.4 Mt) 

The LULUCF sector reports anthropogenic GHG fluxes between the atmosphere and Canada’s managed lands, including those associated with land-use change and fluxes of carbon from Harvested Wood Products (HWP) production and use, which are closely linked to Forest Land.

In this sector, the net flux is calculated as the sum of CO₂ and non-CO₂ emissions to the atmosphere and CO₂ removals from the atmosphere. In 2024, this net flux amounted to a net source of 4.4 Mt.

Net fluxes from the LULUCF sector over recent years have fluctuated between net removals of 8.7 Mt in 2023 and net emissions of 81 Mt in 2005. Fluctuations are driven by the variability in crop yields and by variations in carbon storage in HWP and emissions and removals from Forest Land, which are closely tied to forest harvest rates.

Estimates from the forest sector are split between anthropogenic emissions and removals associated with forest management and HWP, and emissions and removals resulting from the natural cycles of disturbances in managed forests (wildfires and insects). The combined net flux from Forest Land and HWP fluctuated from a net source of 90 Mt in 2005 to a net sink of 1.0 Mt in 2024. This was a result of decreases in harvest rates and longer-term effects of disturbance history—natural and anthropogenic—on the overall age structure of the Canadian managed forest. In 2024, an additional 0.63 Mt CO₂ eq of carbon was sequestered to the global pool of HWP coming from Canadian Forests; however 64% of carbon in the HWP pool, that was disposed of or consumed as bioenergy, was associated with short-lived products.

In most years, Cropland contributed to net removals ranging from 1.9 Mt (1991) to 40 Mt (2014). Net emissions occurred due to drought in recent years—specifically 2002, 2003 and 2022—that resulted in low yields and consequently carbon loss from soils as decomposition rates were higher than carbon input rates to soils. Net removals have increased, on average, as a result of improved soil management practices including conservation tillage and an overall gradual increase in crop productivity resulting from improved and more intensive practices such as the reduced use of summer fallow. Interannual variability occurs throughout the time series, reflecting weather-related impacts to crop production. Since 2005, a decline in net removals from a decrease in perennial land cover has largely offset removals resulting from increasing yields and there is, subsequently, no clear trend.

The conversion of forests to other land uses is a prevalent practice in Canada and is mainly due to resource extraction and cropland expansion. Emissions resulting from forest conversion in the years 2005 to 2024 have fluctuated around 20 Mt annually with the lowest emissions occurring in 2010.

Table ES–1: Canada’s GHG emissions by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change sector, selected years (Mt CO₂ eq)

GHG categories	2005	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024
Total a, b	763	748	681	691	696	687	685
Energy	626	616	549	558	563	554	552
a. Stationary combustion sources (Energy)	336	322	299	300	303	298	298
b. Transport (Energy)	190	208	176	184	192	190	189
c. Fugitive sources (Energy)	100	85	74	74	68	66	66
d. CO2 transport and storage (Energy)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
Industrial processes and product use	57	54	52	54	53	55	53
a. Mineral products (Industrial processes and product use)	10	8.9	8.3	9.0	8.4	8.9	8.5
b. Chemical industry (Industrial processes and product use)	10	6.2	5.9	5.7	5.7	5.6	5.6
c. Metal production(Industrial processes and product use)	21	16	15	16	16	17	16
d. Production and consumption of halocarbons, SF6 and NF3 (Industrial processes and product use)	4.8	12	11	11	11	10	10
e. Non-energy products from fuels and solvent use (Industrial processes and product use)	10	11	11	12	12	13	12
f. Other product manufacture and use (Industrial processes and product use)	0.51	0.62	0.66	0.66	0.61	0.65	0.68
Agriculture	57	55	57	56	56	55	56
a. Enteric fermentation (Agriculture)	35	27	27	27	27	26	26
b. Manure management (Agriculture)	9.0	8.3	8.3	8.3	8.2	8.1	8.2
c. Agricultural soils (Agriculture)	12	17	18	17	18	18	18
d. Field burning of agricultural residues (Agriculture)	0.05	0.05	0.06	0.04	0.05	0.05	0.05
e. Liming, urea application and other carbon-containing fertilizers (Agriculture)	1.4	2.7	3.0	3.1	2.8	3.1	3.4
Waste	23	23	23	23	23	23	23
a. Landfills (Waste)	21	20	20	20	20	20	19
b. Biological treatment of solid waste (Waste)	0.33	0.50	0.51	0.60	0.61	0.61	0.61
c. Incineration and open burning of waste (Waste)	0.35	0.17	0.16	0.15	0.17	0.16	0.15
d. Wastewater treatment and discharge (Waste)	2.2	2.6	2.6	2.5	2.5	2.6	2.6
Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry	81	16	26	14	46	- 8.7	4.3
a. Forest land (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	145	36	36	29	15	1.3	- 1.2
b. Cropland (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	- 20	- 12	- 10	- 14	24	- 21	- 3.6
c. Grassland(Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00	0.00
d. Wetlands (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	7.0	5.6	5.6	6.0	5.7	5.5	5.4
e. Settlements (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	5.1	5.0	4.7	4.6	4.5	4.6	4.3
f. Harvested wood products (Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry)	- 57	- 18	- 10	- 11	- 3.0	0.73	- 0.63

Notes:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

0.00 Indicates emissions were truncated due to rounding.

^a National totals calculated in this table do not include emissions and removals reported in LULUCF.

^b This summary data is presented in more detail at open.canada.ca.

ES.5 Canadian economic sectors

For the purposes of analyzing economic trends and policies, and in addition to what is required by inventory reporting requirements, emissions have been allocated to the economic sector from which they originate. In general, a comprehensive emission profile for a specific economic sector has been developed by reallocating the relevant portion of emissions from various IPCC subcategories. For example, emissions associated with the oil and gas industry are present in the Stationary Combustion Sources, Transport, Fugitive Sources, and Non-Energy Products from Fuels and Solvent Use IPCC subsectors and are combined into the Oil and Gas economic sector. This reallocation simply recategorizes emissions under different headings and does not change the overall magnitude of Canadian emission estimates.

Overall, GHG emissions trends in Canada’s economic sectors are consistent with those described for similar IPCC sectors (Figure ES–6). The most notable trends in Canada’s emission profile between 2005 and 2024 were from Electricity as well as Oil and Gas sources, with Electricity decreasing by 66 Mt and Oil and Gas increasing by 10 Mt. Over the same period, in addition to Oil and Gas sources, Agriculture is the only other sector that showed emission increases (Table ES–2). The emission trends in Oil and Gas are mainly due to the production growth in Canada’s oil sands operations (59 Mt) offset by methane emission reductions from conventional oil and gas activities (-43 Mt). Emissions from Electricity decreased, driven by the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation. Emissions from Heavy Industry, Waste and others, and Buildings also decreased over this period. From 2005 to 2020, Transport emissions generally increased. After a notable decrease in 2020, emissions in this sector increased before stabilizing in recent years at levels below those of 2005.

Further information on economic sector trends can be found in Chapter 2, section 2.4. Additional information on the IPCC and economic sector definitions are available in Chapter 1. A detailed crosswalk table between both can be found in the national GHG data files by economic sector on the Government of Canada’s Open Data website.

Figure ES–6: Breakdown of Canada’s GHG emissions by economic sector (2024)

Total: 685 Mt CO₂ eq

Note: Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Table ES–2: Canada’s GHG emissions by economic sector, selected years (Mt CO₂ eq)

Economic sectors	2005	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Change in emissions 2005–2024	Change (%) 2005–2024
National total	763	748	681	691	696	687	685	-78	-10%
Oil and Gas	198	223	203	209	206	204	208	10	5.1%
Electricity	116	62	54	52	49	51	50	-66	-57%
Transport	156	169	141	147	153	152	151	-4.8	-3.1%
Heavy Industry	89	80	77	79	80	79	77	-11	-13%
Buildings	85	94	88	85	88	83	81	-3.3	-3.8%
Agriculture	66	69	70	70	70	69	70	3.6	5.4%
Waste and Others	54	51	48	49	50	49	47	-6.4	-12%

Notes:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

Additional detail in section 2.4 of Chapter 2.

ES.6 Provincial and territorial GHG emissions

Emissions vary significantly by province and territory because of factors such as population, energy sources and economic structure. All else being equal, economies based on resource extraction will tend to have higher emission levels than service-based economies. Likewise, provinces that rely on fossil fuels for electricity generation emit relatively higher amounts of GHGs than those using hydroelectricity (Figure ES–7).

Historically, Alberta and Ontario have been the highest-emitting provinces, representing 38% and 23% of the national total in 2024, respectively. Since 2005, emission patterns in these two provinces have diverged. Those in Alberta have increased by 9.0 Mt (3.6%) since 2005, primarily because of the expansion of oil and gas operations offset by the closure of coal-fired power plants. In contrast, Ontario’s emissions have decreased by 46 Mt (22%) since 2005, owing primarily to the closure of coal-fired electricity generation plants. Overall, emissions have decreased in eight provinces and one territory between 2005 and 2024, while emissions of two provinces and two territories have increased (Table ES–3). 

Figure ES–7: GHG emissions by province and territory in 2005, 2010, 2015, 2019 and 2024

Note:

The year 2019 has been included and 2020 excluded, as significant emission drops happened during the first pandemic year and do not represent emission trends of the time series. 

Table ES–3: Greenhouse gas emissions by province and territory, selected years (Mt CO₂ eq)

Province and territory	2005	2010	2015	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	Change in emissions 2005–2024	Change (%) 2005–2024
Canada	763	732	743	748	681	691	696	687	685	-78	-10%
Newfoundland and Labrador	11	10	11	11	9.1	8.2	8.3	8.1	8.6	-2.1	-19%
Prince Edward Island	1.9	1.8	1.5	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.6	1.5	1.5	-0.40	-21%
Nova Scotia	22	20	16	16	14	14	14	13	14	-8.3	-38%
New Brunswick	20	18	14	13	11	12	13	11	13	-7.2	-36%
Quebec	85	79	77	82	75	78	79	78	78	-7.8	-9.1%
Ontario	203	174	164	165	149	152	158	160	158	-46	-22%
Manitoba	21	19	21	22	21	21	22	21	21	0.56	2.7%
Saskatchewan	83	79	89	87	75	77	75	73	72	-11	-13%
Alberta	251	269	289	285	265	267	262	260	260	9.0	3.6%
British Columbia	62	59	58	62	58	59	60	58	57	-5.6	-9.1%
Yukon	0.56	0.65	0.53	0.69	0.59	0.65	0.66	0.67	0.72	0.16	28%
Northwest Territories	1.7	1.5	1.6	1.4	1.2	1.3	1.4	1.4	1.3	-0.37	-22%
Nunavut	0.64	0.65	0.69	0.90	0.78	0.83	0.84	0.88	0.93	0.28	44%

Note:

Totals may not add up due to rounding.

ES.7 Key category analysis

The 2006 IPCC Guidelines (IPCC, 2006) define procedures for selecting estimation methods and defining which are most suited to national circumstances, considering the available knowledge and resources. Identifying and prioritizing methodology improvements is a good practice that can be facilitated by the identification of key categories, ensuring the most efficient use of available resources. This annual analysis is required by the MPGs. Key categories are prioritized because their estimates have a significant influence on the national total, in terms of the absolute level of emissions, the trend assessment, or both. For the 1990–2024 GHG inventory, level and trend key category assessments were performed according to the Tier 1 approach (IPCC, 2006).

The categories that have the strongest influence on the national trend (excluding LULUCF) are:

1. Fuel Combustion – Energy Industries – Gaseous Fuels, CO₂
2. Fuel Combustion – Energy Industries – Solid Fuels, CO₂
3. Fuel Combustion – Transport – Road Transportation, CO₂

The categories that have the strongest influence on the national trend (including LULUCF) are:

1. Fuel Combustion – Energy Industries – Gaseous Fuels, CO₂
2. LULUCF – Forest Land Remaining Forest Land, CO₂
3. Fuel Combustion – Energy Industries – Solid Fuels, CO₂

Details and results of the key category level and trend assessments are presented in Annex 1 of this report.

ES.8 Inventory Improvements

Continuous improvement is good inventory preparation practice (IPCC, 2006) and essential to ensure Canada’s inventory estimates are based on the best available science and data. Recalculations of inventory estimates often result as part of continuous inventory improvement activities, including refinements of methods, updates to activity data, inclusion of categories previously not estimated, correction of errors, or compliance with recommendations arising from reviews conducted under the UNFCCC. ECCC continuously consults and works with experts in federal, provincial and territorial agencies; industry; academia; research institutions; and consultants to improve inventory quality. Improved understanding and refined or more comprehensive data are used to develop and integrate more accurate methods. The implementation of methodological improvements leads to the recalculation of previous estimates to maintain a consistent trend in emissions and removals.

The 2026 edition of the GHG inventory incorporates methodological improvements in the estimation of multiple emission sources. Notably and among others, refinements occurred in Transport to improve the percentage of renewable fuels used in on-road and off-road gasoline and diesel. Furthermore, key parameters in the Fugitive Emissions Model were revised to better reflect the Leak Detection and Repair (LDAR) requirements under provincial methane regulations in Alberta.  Additionally, a country-specific method has been developed to estimate the emissions and removals associated with wetland management and land-use change for oil and gas activities in Alberta’s oil sands region. Finally, new sources of emissions were included in the 2026 GHG inventory, for example, the iron ore pelletization source and methane emissions from Flooded Land. Overall, without the LULUCF sector, the recalculations resulted in a 4.3 Mt upward revision in 2005 and a -7.0 Mt downward revision in 2023. The improved methods use Canadian-specific studies and knowledge, adopt the most up-to-date activity data and better reflect evolving technologies and industry practices. Chapter 8 of the present report provides greater detail on the impacts of current inventory improvements on the overall emission trends.

Improvements to inventory estimates are anticipated in future editions of this report. For example, amongst several planned improvements, in the Energy sector for Transport, the migration to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) MOtor Vehicle Emission Simulator 5 (MOVES5) model is planned. Also related to the Energy sector, a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export terminal operated by LNG Canada came online in 2025. Development of combustion and fugitive emissions for this new segment of the Canadian oil and gas industry is planned. Improvements expected in the LULUCF sector include tracking of emissions and removals resulting from agricultural drainage, improvements to woody biomass estimates using age and species groups, integration of tillage and crop productivity impacts in soil organic carbon estimation, and the growth of urban trees. Refer to Chapter 8 for details on the planned improvements and for a complete list covering all sectors. For additional detail on LULUCF planned improvements of methods related to Forests, refer to the Improvement Plan for Forest and Harvested Wood Products Greenhouse Gas Estimates.

ES.9 National Inventory Arrangements

Environment and Climate Change Canada is the single national entity with responsibility for preparing and submitting the national GHG inventory to the UNFCCC and for managing the supporting processes and procedures. The inventory arrangements for the preparation of the inventory include, amongst others: formal institutional arrangements on data collection and estimate development; a quality management system, including a method change process to peer review and approve planned improvements; the identification of key categories and generation of quantitative uncertainty analysis; a process for performing and tracking recalculations following improvements and activity data updates; procedures for third-party reviews and official approval; and a working archive system. Information regarding the national inventory arrangements are presented in Chapter 1.

Structure of Submission

As per the MPGs, the annual submission of Canada’s official GHG inventory comprises the NIR and CRTs. The CRTs are a series of standardized data tables containing mainly numerical information. The NIR contains the information to support the CRTs, including a comprehensive description of the methodologies used in compiling the inventory, data sources, institutional arrangements, and quality assurance and quality control procedures.

The NIR, in accordance with MPG requirements, includes:

• Chapter 1: an overview of Canada’s legal, institutional and procedural arrangements, along with cross-cutting information for producing the inventory, and a description of Canada’s GHGRP and how the facility-reported data are integrated in the inventory.
• Chapter 2: an analysis and breakdown of Canada’s GHG emission trends by IPCC and Canadian economic sectors.
• Chapters 3 to 7: descriptions and additional analysis of emission estimates for each sector.
• Chapter 8: a summary of the recalculations, and implemented and planned improvements.
• Annexes 1 and 2: a key category analysis and uncertainty assessment.
• Annex 3: estimation methodologies details.
• Annex 4: Canada’s energy balance.
• Annex 5: information on ozone and aerosol precursors.
• Annexes 6 and 7: emission factors and details on the GHG intensity of electricity generation, respectively. 

This material is available on the Government of Canada’s Open Data website in various formats, in addition to summary tables of GHG emissions at the national level and for each provincial and territorial jurisdiction, sector and gas.

The complete NIR, in PDF format, can be accessed on the Government of Canada’s website. ECCC is streamlining NIR content, including a transition away from heavy amounts of data in the PDF format of the report to greater data availability in various formats on Government of Canada’s Open Data website. If you have any questions or would like to share views on this, please contact us at ges-ghg@ec.gc.ca.

References 

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Conrad BM, Tyner DR, Li HZ, Xie D, Johnson MR. 2023a. A measurement-based upstream oil and gas methane inventory for Alberta, Canada reveals higher emissions and different sources than official estimates. Commun. Earth Environ., 4: 416.

Conrad BM, Tyner DR, Johnson MR. 2023b. The futility of relative methane reduction targets in the absence of measurement-based inventories. Environ. Sci. Technol. , 57(50): 21092-21103. 

[IPCC] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2006. 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. IPCC National Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme. Eggleston HS, Buendia L, Miwa K, Ngara T, Tanabe K (eds). Japan: Institute for Global Environmental Strategies.

[IPCC] Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. 2019. 2019 Refinement to the 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Calvo Buendia E, Tanabe K, Kranjc A, Baasansuren J, Fukuda M, Ngarize S, Osako A, Pyrozhenko Y, Shermanau P and Federici S (eds). Switzerland: IPCC.

Johnson MR, Conrad BM, Tyner DR. 2023. Creating measurement-based oil and gas sector methane inventories using source-resolved aerial surveys. Commun. Earth Environ., 4: 139. 

MacKay K, Lavoie M, Bourlon E, Atherton E, O’Connell E, Baillie J, Fougère C, Risk D. 2021. Methane emissions from upstream oil and gas production in Canada are underestimated. Sci. Rep., 11: 8041.

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