Greenhouse gas emissions

Access PDF (1.09 MB)

Climate change is one of the most important environmental issues of our time. Climate change is caused by the increase in concentrations of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the atmosphere. These increases are primarily due to GHG emissions resulting from human activities such as the use of fossil fuels or agriculture. This changing climate has impacts on the environment, human health and the economy. The indicators report estimates of Canada's emissions of GHGs over time.

Since 2015 and the signing of the Paris Agreement, Canada adopted 2005 as the base year for its GHG emission reduction target. In 2021, Canada committed to reduce its GHG emissions by 40‑45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030. Historically, following Canada's ratification of the Kyoto Protocol, the base year was 1990.

The latest year reported (2021) coincides with the 2nd year of the COVID-19 pandemic which affected a wide range of economic sectors, including the energy and transport sectors. The long-term trends presented must be interpreted in the context of the economic slowdown that influenced results from 2019 to 2021.

National

National greenhouse gas emissions

Key results

  • Canada's total GHG emissions in 2021 were 670 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq), a 1.8% increase from 659 Mt CO2 eq in 2020
  • From 2005 to 2021, Canada's GHG emissions decreased by 8.4% (62 Mt CO2 eq)
  • Between 1990 and 2021, Canada's GHG emissions increased by 13.9% (82 Mt CO2 eq)

Greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Total greenhouse gas emissions
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 589
1991 582
1992 599
1993 602
1994 622
1995 639
1996 661
1997 676
1998 682
1999 695
2000 719
2001 710
2002 715
2003 734
2004 737
2005 732
2006 725
2007 748
2008 731
2009 690
2010 702
2011 711
2012 716
2013 723
2014 720
2015 723
2016 705
2017 712
2018 725
2019 724
2020 659
2021 670

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.33 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures. The national indicator tracks 7 greenhouse gases released by human activity: carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrogen trifluoride. Emission levels for some years have been revised in light of improvements to estimation methods and availability of new data. Emissions and removals from the land use, land use change and forestry sector (LULUCF) are excluded from national totals to allow for a focus on greenhouse gas released from human activity only.  Consult the interactive figures to explore the national results in a dynamic and customizable format.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

While the overall trend between 1990 and 2021 was an increase in GHG emissions, some sectors that saw a decrease. Canada's overall emissions growth over the 1990 to 2021 period was driven primarily by increased emissions from the oil and gas as well as the transport sectors. The 8.4% decrease in GHG emissions between 2005 and 2021 was mainly a result of emission reductions from the electricity and heavy industry sectors.

The confinement measures introduced in 2020 due to the pandemic created an industrial slowdown and important reductions in trade and travel by air and land. These impacts contributed to the GHG emission decrease, especially in the transport sector where a 16% decrease was observed between 2019 and 2020. Following the partial recovery of economic activities in 2021, a rebound in the emissions was observed compared to 2020 (+12 Mt CO2 eq). The emissions observed in 2021 remained below the pre-pandemic level of 2019.

According to the greenhouse gas equivalencies calculator developed by Natural Resources Canada, the 62 Mt CO2 eq emission reduction for the period from 2005 to 2021 is equivalent to:

  • removing over around 19 000 000 gas-powered passenger vehicles from the roads for 1 year, or
  • the energy-based emissions from around 14 500 000 homes for 1 year
Economic sectors

Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector

This indicator shows GHG emissions reported by economic sector in which they are generated. Indicators focusing specifically on the oil and gas, transport, agriculture and electricity sectors follow. 

Oil and gas sector

Transport sector

Agriculture sector

Electricity sector

Key results

  • In 2021, the oil and gas sector and transport sector were the largest GHG emitters in Canada, accounting for 28% and 22% of total emissions, respectively
  • From 2020 to 2021, GHG emissions from the oil and gas, transport, heavy industry, and "waste and others" sectors grew by between 2% and 5%, while emissions from the buildings, electricity, and agriculture sectors decreased by between 2% and 4%
  • From 1990 to 2021, 
    • an increase in emissions was observed for the oil and gas (+88%), transport (+27%), buildings (+21%) and agriculture sectors (+39%)
    • a decrease in emissions was observed for the electricity (-45%), heavy industry (-22%) and "waste and others" (-14%) sectors

Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Oil and gas
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Transport
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Buildings
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Electricity
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Heavy industry
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Agriculture
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Waste and others
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 100.5 118.4 72.1 94.7 98.8 49.4 54.7
1991 100.0 113.8 71.4 96.1 98.6 49.5 52.6
1992 108.6 115.9 73.3 102.5 96.0 51.6 51.3
1993 115.4 118.8 76.9 93.2 95.2 52.8 49.5
1994 119.2 124.9 77.2 95.2 100.7 54.5 50.2
1995 125.3 127.0 78.0 98.2 101.5 56.9 52.2
1996 133.5 129.7 84.3 98.2 104.6 58.5 52.1
1997 134.8 133.9 81.8 109.5 104.2 59.3 52.9
1998 139.5 137.0 73.5 122.2 100.1 59.4 50.8
1999 148.1 141.1 77.4 119.2 97.4 59.5 51.9
2000 153.4 142.2 83.9 129.1 96.8 60.5 53.4
2001 154.7 142.3 80.6 129.3 91.4 60.2 51.7
2002 159.1 144.5 84.9 123.6 91.8 59.7 52.0
2003 163.2 149.6 90.2 127.4 90.5 61.6 51.7
2004 165.3 154.3 88.7 119.0 93.8 62.7 52.8
2005 168.3 156.8 84.8 117.6 89.0 63.6 52.1
2006 174.6 157.7 79.7 111.6 88.7 62.3 50.7
2007 179.8 162.7 85.5 119.7 87.4 62.4 50.6
2008 176.5 163.2 85.4 108.9 85.9 61.9 48.9
2009 173.8 162.0 83.9 93.8 72.5 59.2 44.4
2010 179.3 165.5 81.5 94.6 75.7 59.4 45.9
2011 184.8 164.4 86.0 86.9 81.8 60.2 47.2
2012 192.1 164.6 84.5 83.3 81.8 62.5 47.5
2013 196.8 167.1 85.7 79.7 80.5 64.4 48.9
2014 202.4 164.7 86.2 76.3 80.9 63.4 46.3
2015 203.1 162.6 85.3 78.9 80.6 65.0 47.5
2016 191.5 162.4 84.9 74.3 78.0 66.0 48.0
2017 194.0 165.4 87.7 72.6 77.3 66.5 48.7
2018 202.5 169.3 92.4 62.7 79.6 68.5 49.6
2019 201.3 170.2 93.3 61.6 78.8 69.0 49.6
2020 183.4 143.2 89.1 53.7 73.6 69.8 46.1
2021 189.2 150.1 87.2 51.7 76.8 68.5 47.0

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.50 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: "Others" in the Waste and others sector consists of emissions from light manufacturing, construction, forest resources and coal production. The Heavy industry sector consists of emissions from mining, smelting and refining, pulp and paper, iron and steel, cement, lime and gypsum, and chemicals and fertilizers. Consult the interactive figures to explore the sectoral results in a dynamic and customizable format.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2020: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Between 1990 and 2021, the increase in total GHG emissions observed was mostly due to a 88% (89 Mt CO2 eq) increase in emissions from the oil and gas sector and a 27% (32 Mt CO2 eq) increase from the transport sector. These increases were partially offset by a 43 Mt CO2 eq decrease in emissions from the electricity sector and a 22 Mt CO2 eq decrease in emissions from heavy industry.

Between 2005 and 2021, the overall 62 Mt CO2 eq decrease resulted mainly from a 66 Mt CO2 eq. (-56%) reduction in emissions from the electricity sector and a 12 Mt CO2 eq. (-14%) reduction from the heavy industry sector. Over that period, GHG emissions have also decreased for the transport (-4%), and the waste and others (-10%) sectors, while emissions increased for the oil and gas (+12%), agriculture (+8%) and buildings (+3%) sectors.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector

Greenhouse gas emissions from the oil and gas sector

Key results

  • In 2021, the oil and gas sector was the largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 28% of total national emissions with 189 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) emitted
  • In 2021, the sector's GHG emissions were 3% higher than in 2020
  • Over the period from 1990 to 2021, the sector's GHG emissions have increased by 88%

Oil and gas sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Oil and gas sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Oil and gas sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Natural gas (megatonnes of carbondioxide equivalent) Conventional oil
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Oil sands, mining and extraction
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Oil sands, insitu (megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent) Oil sands, upgrading
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Other
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 32.3 21.0 2.2 4.5 8.4 32.0
1991 31.0 21.8 2.4 4.3 9.0 31.6
1992 32.6 24.0 2.4 4.3 10.9 34.3
1993 35.2 25.6 2.5 4.3 12.0 35.7
1994 37.3 26.7 2.7 4.5 12.7 35.4
1995 39.1 29.0 2.9 4.9 12.4 36.9
1996 41.5 30.8 2.9 5.2 12.6 40.4
1997 38.5 33.2 2.9 7.3 12.3 40.6
1998 41.2 33.6 3.0 9.0 12.7 40.0
1999 50.3 33.5 3.2 8.4 13.4 39.4
2000 56.1 36.1 3.2 9.0 13.7 35.3
2001 57.2 34.8 4.2 9.2 15.1 34.2
2002 59.8 34.8 4.4 9.1 16.1 34.9
2003 62.7 33.9 5.4 10.3 16.9 34.1
2004 61.3 33.1 5.9 11.3 18.9 34.8
2005 65.0 33.0 5.7 12.2 17.3 35.2
2006 66.5 33.0 6.2 14.2 20.3 34.4
2007 67.9 34.1 6.9 15.7 21.6 33.6
2008 66.5 33.4 7.2 18.4 19.6 31.4
2009 62.9 31.2 7.8 19.8 21.6 30.5
2010 62.5 32.3 8.5 22.7 23.0 30.3
2011 65.8 34.3 8.5 24.5 22.6 29.0
2012 63.9 36.4 9.2 29.3 23.9 29.3
2013 62.3 38.1 10.0 30.9 24.6 31.0
2014 61.7 39.8 10.6 35.2 24.3 30.7
2015 60.6 39.2 11.1 37.6 23.6 30.9
2016 56.6 34.9 11.4 37.0 21.0 30.6
2017 53.8 35.1 13.0 40.8 22.5 28.9
2018 55.9 35.4 14.9 42.8 23.7 29.7
2019 54.0 33.8 15.5 42.8 24.7 30.6
2020 49.3 26.4 15.0 41.0 24.7 26.9
2021 50.0 26.0 15.5 44.6 25.2 28.0

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.27 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Conventional oil includes production from frontier, light and heavy oil fields. The Other category includes downstream oil and gas emissions (combustion and fugitive emissions from the production of refined petroleum products and the distribution of natural gas to end consumers) and oil, natural gas, and CO2 transmission emissions (combustion and fugitive emissions from transmission, storage and delivery activities).
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Between 1990 and 2021, total crude oil production more than doubled in Canada. This was mostly driven by a rapid increase in production from the oil sands, which are more GHG-intensive than conventional sources (that is, more GHGs are emitted per unit cubic meters of oil produced). This change thus had a major impact on total GHG emissions from the sector.

Over that period, GHG emissions from conventional oil production have increased by 24%, while emissions from oil sands production have increased by 463%. More than half of the increase in emissions from oil sands production over this period came from the growth of on site (in situ) production. Over the same period, production of natural gas from unconventional sources, such as those requiring the use of multi-stage fracturing techniques, also increased significantly (+55%).

Similar trends were observed between 2005 and 2020, leading to a 12% increase in GHG emissions for that period. However, over that period, emissions from natural gas and conventional oil productions decreased by 23% and 21%, respectively. Emissions from those activities have shown decreasing trends in the past decade.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector

Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector

Key results

  • In 2021, the transport sector was the second largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 22% of total national emissions with 150 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) emitted
  • In 2021, the sector GHG emissions were 4.8% higher than in 2020 (143 Mt CO2 eq)
  • Between 1990 and 2021, GHG emissions from the transport sector grew by 27%. The growth in emissions was mostly driven by increases from freight heavy-duty trucks and passenger light trucks

Transport sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Transportation sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Transport sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Passenger -Cars
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Passenger -Light trucks
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Passenger -Motorcycles, bus, rail and aviation
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Freight -Heavy duty trucks
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Freight -Rail, aviation and marine
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Other
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 45.2 25.9 8.6 19.2 11.4 8.1
1991 43.8 25.6 7.6 18.2 10.8 7.7
1992 44.6 26.5 7.7 18.4 11.0 7.6
1993 45.5 27.8 7.4 19.3 11.0 7.8
1994 46.4 29.4 7.9 21.5 11.4 8.3
1995 44.9 30.0 8.4 23.2 10.9 9.7
1996 44.7 31.3 8.8 23.9 10.9 10.1
1997 44.2 33.0 9.2 25.7 11.0 10.9
1998 43.9 34.8 9.5 26.3 10.8 11.7
1999 43.3 36.4 10.0 27.4 11.3 12.6
2000 42.9 36.8 10.1 27.9 11.5 12.9
2001 42.8 37.6 9.5 27.9 11.4 13.2
2002 43.0 38.8 9.5 28.4 11.0 13.8
2003 43.1 40.3 10.1 31.6 11.0 13.6
2004 43.2 41.9 10.6 33.7 11.3 13.6
2005 42.1 42.5 10.8 36.1 11.8 13.5
2006 41.5 43.2 10.8 37.0 12.1 13.0
2007 41.6 44.5 11.5 40.7 12.3 12.0
2008 40.6 44.4 11.6 42.4 12.5 11.6
2009 40.2 45.6 11.0 42.9 11.2 11.3
2010 39.4 46.6 10.6 45.4 11.1 12.4
2011 37.8 44.6 11.0 46.3 11.7 13.0
2012 36.8 45.4 11.7 45.8 11.8 13.1
2013 36.8 47.3 12.3 45.7 11.5 13.5
2014 35.5 47.6 12.0 45.3 11.5 12.8
2015 35.7 49.1 11.9 41.5 11.0 13.4
2016 35.5 51.7 12.0 38.2 10.6 14.3
2017 34.8 53.2 12.6 38.3 11.8 14.8
2018 34.2 55.0 13.3 39.8 12.1 14.9
2019 33.4 56.7 13.2 39.1 12.9 15.0
2020 25.8 48.8 8.3 34.3 12.2 13.9
2021 24.9 52.1 9.1 36.7 12.9 14.5

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures. However, all calculations have been performed using unrounded data.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.38 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: The Other category includes other recreational, commercial and residential uses. Categories have been adapted from the classification used in Annex 10 of the National Inventory Report. For more details, please consult the "Methods" section.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Between 1990 and 2021, part of the GHG emissions increase was due to a higher number of vehicles on the road and to changes in vehicle type used. Although total emissions from passenger transport grew by 8%, emissions from cars declined by 45%, while emissions from light trucks (including trucks, vans and sport utility vehicles) doubled. Emissions from freight travel grew by 62% between 1990 and 2021. Specifically, emissions from freight heavy-duty trucks almost doubled and emissions from other modes of freight transport increased by 13%.

Emissions from passenger and freight transport are influenced by a variety of factors, including population and economic growth, vehicle type, fuel efficiency and fuel type. Changes in the mix of vehicle type used, such as the increasing preference of passenger vehicle owners for light trucks rather than more fuel-efficient passenger cars, played an important role in shaping the evolution of GHG emissions.

Since 1990, the number of light trucks increased much faster than the increase of other passenger on-road vehicles. While there have been continual improvements in the fuel efficiency of both passenger cars and light trucks over the last few decades,Footnote 1  these improvements were not sufficient to offset the increases in emissions due to the change in composition of the vehicle fleet.

Between 2005 and 2021, GHG emissions from the transport sector decreased by 4.3%. The reduction in emissions was mostly driven by decreases from passenger cars. However, it should be noted that GHG emissions increased by 13 Mt CO2 eq. (+9%) between 2005 and 2019 before being completely offset by a 27 Mt CO2 eq. reduction between 2019 and 2020. This emission reduction is the highest annual decrease since 1990 and was likely influenced by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the transport sector (fewer kilometres driven and a decrease in air traffic). Between 2020 and 2021, emissions from the transport sector increased by 7 Mt CO2 eq. following recovery of economic activities and the resumption of travel that had been limited by the pandemic.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector

Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector

Greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture sector are essentially attributable to the crop production (such as cereals and oilseeds) and animal production (beef, dairy, poultry and swine) activities. Activities resulting in emissions include:

  • Crop production: application of biosolids and inorganic nitrogen fertilizers, decomposition of crop residues, loss of soil organic carbon, cultivation of organic soils, indirect emissions from leaching and volatilization, field burning of agricultural residues, liming, and urea application
  • Animal production: animal housing, manure storage, manure deposited by grazing animals, and application of manure to managed soils

Key results

  • In 2021, the agriculture sector was the 5th largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 10% of total national emissions with 69 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) emitted
  • In 2021, the sector’s GHG emissions were 2% lower than in 2020, mostly driven by a decrease in crop production emissions resulting from a hot and dry growing season
  • Between 1990 and 2021, GHG emissions from the agriculture sector grew by 39%, mostly driven by an increase in emissions related to crop production 

Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year On farm fuel use
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Crop production
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Animal production
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 8.2 10.4 30.8
1991 8.2 10.0 31.4
1992 8.4 10.3 32.9
1993 8.5 10.9 33.4
1994 8.4 11.3 34.8
1995 8.8 11.5 36.6
1996 9.3 12.0 37.1
1997 9.9 12.3 37.1
1998 9.3 12.7 37.4
1999 9.4 12.4 37.8
2000 9.6 12.4 38.6
2001 8.8 11.7 39.7
2002 8.4 11.4 39.9
2003 8.8 12.5 40.3
2004 9.1 12.1 41.5
2005 9.5 11.7 42.5
2006 9.0 11.9 41.3
2007 9.6 12.9 39.9
2008 9.4 13.6 38.9
2009 8.7 13.6 36.9
2010 9.9 14.0 35.6
2011 11.1 14.3 34.8
2012 11.4 16.2 34.9
2013 11.7 17.8 34.9
2014 12.1 16.8 34.5
2015 12.7 17.9 34.3
2016 13.1 18.2 34.7
2017 14.4 17.3 34.8
2018 15.0 18.5 35.0
2019 15.3 18.7 34.9
2020 14.3 20.7 34.8
2021 14.3 19.4 34.9

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.26 kB)

Between 1990 and 2021, emissions increased from 49 Mt CO2 eq to 69 Mt CO2 eq. This increase is primarily attributable to the doubling of crop production emissions. Even though emissions from animal production have always represented at least half of the total agriculture GHG emissions, since 2005, the proportion of emissions from the crop production has risen, reaching its highest level in 2020. The drivers of the change are a reduction of cattle populations combined with a continued increase of crop production and fertilizer use.

Between 2005 and 2021, GHG emissions from the agriculture sector showed a similar trend with an increase of 8%. 

Greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector

Greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector

Key results

  • In 2021, the electricity sector was the 6th largest source of GHG emissions, accounting for 7.7% of total national emissions with 52 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) emitted
  • In 2021, the sector’s GHG emissions were 4% lower than in 2020, 56% lower than in 2005, and 45% lower than in 1990

Electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Electricity sector greenhouse gas emissions, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Coal
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Natural gas
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Other
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
1990 80.5 2.7 11.5
1991 84.5 2.2 9.4
1992 87.4 4.4 10.7
1993 79.9 5.4 7.8
1994 83.6 5.3 6.3
1995 84.8 6.4 7.0
1996 86.8 5.5 5.9
1997 93.7 6.9 8.8
1998 100.0 9.3 12.9
1999 99.9 8.9 10.4
2000 108.9 10.5 9.6
2001 107.2 10.3 11.8
2002 105.5 8.5 9.6
2003 103.9 9.2 14.2
2004 96.5 8.5 14.1
2005 98.2 8.0 11.4
2006 94.1 8.5 9.0
2007 99.7 10.3 9.7
2008 93.6 8.0 7.2
2009 78.0 8.3 7.5
2010 78.7 11.0 4.8
2011 68.4 14.3 4.1
2012 63.2 15.9 4.2
2013 63.5 11.7 4.5
2014 60.7 10.6 5.0
2015 62.7 10.6 5.6
2016 57.6 11.4 5.2
2017 57.7 9.9 5.0
2018 44.7 13.3 4.8
2019 42.8 14.4 4.4
2020 34.7 15.4 3.6
2021 31.4 17.0 3.3

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.41 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: The Other category includes diesel fuel oil, heavy fuel oil, light fuel oil, motor gasoline, petroleum coke, own use of primary electricity, solid wood waste, still gas and non-fuel related emissions.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Greenhouse gas emissions from combustion-based electricity generation have decreased from 95 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2 eq) in 1990 to 52 Mt CO2 eq in 2021. The growing share of electricity generated from low-GHG-emitting sources (such as hydro, other renewables and nuclear) and from fuels less GHG-intensive than coal contributed to the decline in GHG emissions from electricity generation. This transition can be observed in the fuel type shares, with coal's share of all combustion emissions having decreased from 85% in 1990 to 61% in 2021, while natural gas’ share increased from 2.9% to 33%. Similar trends were observed between 2005 and 2021, leading to a 56% decrease from 118 Mt CO2 eq. to 52 Mt CO2 eq.

Electricity generation technologies have various levels of GHG emission intensity (which is defined as the quantity of GHGs emitted per unit of electricity produced). Hydroelectricity and nuclear power are low emitters of GHGs, while coal-burning power plants have a higher GHG intensity than natural gas-burning power plants. The general decline in the GHG intensity of electricity generation of public electric utilities can be attributed partly to a reduction in the use of coal and increases in other power plant types.

The electricity sector’s GHG emissions were 4% lower in 2021 than in 2020. The impact of the pandemic on these emissions is uncertain since the sector's emissions have been decreasing for 13 of the last 15 years. The observed reduction can be considered similar to previous year-to-year fluctuations.

Regional

Greenhouse gas emissions by province and territory

Emissions vary significantly by province. The level of emissions depends on factors such as population, climate, energy sources and economic base. Provinces and territories that are the most populated, have economies based on resource extraction, or rely on fossil fuels to generate electricity will tend to have higher emission levels.

Key results

  • In 2021, the top 5 emitters (Alberta, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and British Columbia) together released 91% of Canada's national total GHG emissions
  • Of the top 5 emitters, greenhouse gas emissions were lower in 2020 than in 1990 for Ontario (-16%) and Quebec (-8%)

Greenhouse gas emissions by province and territory, Canada, 1990, 2005 and 2021

Greenhouse gas emissions by province and territory, Canada, 1990, 2005 and 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Greenhouse gas emissions by province and territory, Canada, 1990, 2005 and 2021
Province or territory 1990 greenhouse gas emissions
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
2005 greenhouse gas emissions
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
2021 greenhouse gas emissions
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent)
Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) 9.4 10.2 8.3
Prince Edward Island (PE) 1.8 1.9 1.6
Nova Scotia (NS) 19.3 22.8 14.6
New Brunswick (NB) 16.1 19.6 11.9
Quebec (QC) 84.3 85.5 77.5
Ontario (ON) 179.1 203.7 150.6
Manitoba (MB) 18.0 20.3 20.7
Saskatchewan (SK) 42.5 67.8 67.1
Alberta (AB) 165.5 235.9 256.1
British Columbia (BC) 50.3 61.6 59.4
Yukon (YT) 0.5 0.6 0.7
Northwest Territories (NT) 1.8[A] 1.7 1.3
Nunavut (NU)[A] n/a 0.6 0.6

Note: [A] 1990 emissions data for the Northwest Territories include emissions for Nunavut, which was part of the Northwest Territories until 1999. n/a = not applicable.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 1.52 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: The years selected correspond to the first (1990) and last (2021) years of the dataset and to the base year (2005) for Canada's GHG emission reduction targets. Consult the interactive figures to explore the regional results in a dynamic and customizable format.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Between 1990 and 2005, GHG emissions increased in all provinces and territories. In 1990, Ontario's GHG emissions were higher than those from the other provinces because of its large manufacturing industry. Alberta's emissions subsequently surpassed Ontario's and increased by 55% over the period from 1990 to 2021, primarily due to the increasing activity of the oil and gas industry.

Of the top 5 emitters, GHG emissions were lower in 2021 than in 2005 for Ontario (-27%), Quebec (-12%), Saskatchewan (-8%) and British Columbia (-3%).

  • Ontario's emissions decrease was primarily driven by the closure of coal-fired electricity generation plants
  • Quebec had a 8.1 Mt CO2 eq decrease from its 2005 emissions level mainly attributable to decreasing emissions from the residential sector, aluminium production and petroleum refining industries
  • Emissions from British Columbia showed a decrease of 2.2 Mt CO2 eq; essentially due to decreasing emissions from the light manufacturing, heavy industry and waste sectors
  • Emissions in Saskatchewan decreased by 0.7 Mt CO2 eq; primarily due to emission reductions from the oil and gas sector (-35% or 9.0 Mt CO2 eq)

Over the first year of the pandemic, from 2019 to 2020, a reduction in GHG emissions was observed for all provinces and territories. From 2020 to 2021, emissions from most provinces and territories increased, except in Newfoundland and Labrador, Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Emission levels in 2021 were equal to or below the pre-pandemic levels observed in 2019 with the exception of Prince Edward Island where emissions came back to almost the same level.

Intensity

Greenhouse gas emissions per person and per unit of GDP

While the overall value of GHG emitted is important to measure, the relationship between GHG emissions and economic activity and/or population is useful to monitor the transition to a low-carbon economy. These indicators present the GHG emission intensities relative to Canada’s population and its economic activity. GHG emission intensity compares the amount of GHGs emitted per unit of activity or any other specific metric. Decreasing trends would mean that less GHGs are emitted for one unit of the selected metric.

Key results

  • Between 1990 and 2021, the amount of GHGs emitted per person decreased 17% from 21.3 to 17.5 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2 eq) per person
  • Over the same period, 42% less GHGs were emitted to produce 1 billion dollars worth of goods and services (from 0.54 to 0.32 megatonnes CO2 eq per billion dollars of GDP)

Indexed trend in greenhouse gas emissions per person and per unit of GDP, Canada, 1990 to 2021

Indexed trend in greenhouse gas emissions per person and per unit of gross domestic product, Canada, 1990 to 2021 (see long description below)
Data table for the long description
Indexed trend in greenhouse gas emissions per person and per unit of GDP, Canada, 1990 to 2021
Year Greenhouse gas emissions per person
(tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per person)
Indexed greenhouse gas emissions per person
(percentage change from 1990 level)
Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product
(megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per billion dollars gross domestic product)
Indexed greenhouse gas emissions per unit of gross domestic product
(percentage change from 1990 level)
1990 21.3 0.0 0.54 0.0
1991 20.8 -2.3 0.54 0.9
1992 21.1 -0.6 0.56 2.9
1993 21.0 -1.3 0.54 0.9
1994 21.4 0.9 0.54 -0.5
1995 21.8 2.6 0.54 -0.4
1996 22.3 5.0 0.55 1.3
1997 22.6 6.4 0.53 -0.8
1998 22.6 6.5 0.52 -3.6
1999 22.8 7.5 0.50 -7.0
2000 23.4 10.3 0.49 -8.7
2001 22.9 7.7 0.48 -11.2
2002 22.8 7.3 0.47 -13.1
2003 23.2 9.1 0.47 -12.4
2004 23.1 8.5 0.46 -14.7
2005 22.7 6.8 0.44 -17.9
2006 22.3 4.8 0.43 -20.6
2007 22.7 7.0 0.43 -19.9
2008 22.0 3.4 0.42 -22.5
2009 20.5 -3.5 0.41 -24.5
2010 20.6 -2.9 0.40 -25.4
2011 20.7 -2.5 0.40 -26.6
2012 20.6 -2.9 0.39 -27.3
2013 20.6 -3.0 0.39 -28.3
2014 20.3 -4.4 0.37 -30.7
2015 20.2 -4.7 0.37 -30.8
2016 19.5 -8.2 0.36 -33.1
2017 19.5 -8.3 0.35 -34.7
2018 19.5 -8.0 0.35 -35.6
2019 19.2 -9.5 0.34 -36.9
2020 17.3 -18.5 0.32 -39.7
2021 17.5 -17.5 0.32 -41.5

Note: Data are presented as rounded figures. However, all calculations have been performed using unrounded data.

Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.63 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: The chart presents the ratio of annual GHG emissions per person and per unit of GDP relative to those values in 1990 (that is the values are indexed to 1990). Greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP is calculated using real inflation-adjusted GDP in 2012 dollars. Emission levels for some years have been revised in light of improvements to estimation methods and availability of new data.
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada. Statistics Canada (2023) Table 17-10-0005-01 - Estimates of population, by age group and sex for July 1, Canada, provinces and territories, annual. Statistics Canada (2023) Table 36-10-0369-01 - Gross domestic product at 2012 constant prices, expenditure-based, annual.

The general decreasing trends in GHG emissions per person and per unit of GDP are attributable to a number of factors. More efficient industrial processes, a shift to a more service-based economy and a decrease in the emissions associated with electricity generation are all contributing to these decreases. 

Between 2020 and 2021, GHG emissions per person increased (+1.2%) while GHG emissions per unit of GDP decreased (-3.0%). This corresponds to GHG emissions increasing at:

  • a higher rate than population growth (which grew by just 0.6%, the lowest rate in the period from 1990 to 2021)
  • a lower rate than GDP growth (which increased by 4.9%, the highest rate since 2000)
About the indicators

About the indicators

What the indicators measure

The indicators show trends in anthropogenic (human-made) greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. It includes emissions for 7 greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrogen trifluoride). Emissions are presented:

  • at the national level (total emissions, emissions per person and emissions per unit of gross domestic product)
  • by economic sector
  • at the provincial/territorial level

The indicators do not capture:

  • emissions from natural processes (for example, material decay, plant and animal respiration, volcanic and thermal venting)
  • removal of emissions from the atmosphere by natural sinks (for example, forests, oceans)

Why these indicators are important

Greenhouse gases trap heat in the Earth's atmosphere, just as the glass of a greenhouse keeps warm air inside. Human activity increases the amount of GHGs in the atmosphere, contributing to a warming of the Earth's surface. This is called the enhanced greenhouse effect.

Over the past 200 years in particular, humans have released GHGs into the atmosphere primarily from burning fossil fuels. As a result, more heat is being trapped and the temperature of the planet is increasing. Sea levels are rising as the Arctic ice melts, and there are changes to the climate, such as more severe storms and heat waves. All of this impacts the environment, the economy and human health.

The Greenhouse gas emissions indicators are used to track the progress of Canada's efforts to lower emissions and reach environmental performance objectives. They also support decision making on sustainable development.

As an Annex I Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, Canada is required to prepare and submit a national inventory of anthropogenic sources and sinks of GHGs on an annual basis.

Related initiatives

These indicators track progress on the 2022 to 2026 Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, supporting the target: Achieve 40 to 45% greenhouse gas emission reductions below 2005 levels by 2030, and achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The most recent data available shows that, in 2021, emissions were 8.4% lower than 2005 emissions. This decrease was driven by emission reductions from the electricity and heavy industry sectors.

In addition, the indicators contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. They are linked to Goal 9, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and Goal 13: "Climate Action"; more specifically to Target 9.4, "By 2030, upgrade infrastructure and retrofit industries to make them sustainable, with increased resource-use efficiency and greater adoption of clean and environmentally sound technologies and industrial processes, with all countries taking action in accordance with their respective capabilities" and Target 13.2, "Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies and planning."

Related indicators

The Greenhouse gas emissions from large facilities indicator reports GHG emissions from the largest GHG emitters in Canada (industrial and other types of facilities).

The Greenhouse gas emissions projections indicator provides an overview of Canada's projected GHG emissions up to 2030. 

The Global greenhouse gas emissions indicator provides a global perspective on Canada's share of global GHG emissions.

The Carbon dioxide emissions from a consumption perspective indicator shows the impact of Canada's consumption of goods and services, regardless of where they are produced, on the levels of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

The Land-based greenhouse gas emissions and removals indicator tracks exchanges of greenhouse gas emissions and removals between the atmosphere and Canada's managed lands.

The Greenhouse gas concentrations indicators present atmospheric concentrations as measured from sites in Canada and at a global scale for 2 greenhouse gases: carbon dioxide and methane.

Data sources and methods

Data sources and methods

Data sources

The Greenhouse gas emissions indicators are based on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions data taken from Environment and Climate Change Canada's National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

More information

Data used to develop the emission and removal estimates presented in the National Inventory Report are drawn from published and unpublished sources from various government departments, industry sources and scientific papers.

Greenhouse gas emission estimates are provided at the national level, by economic sectors and at the provincial/territorial level. The greenhouse gas emission estimates are compiled annually and reported for the period from 1990 to 2021. Complete details of the temporal coverage for each data source used for the indicators can be found in chapters 3 through 7 of the National Inventory Report.

Preparation of the GHG emissions inventory takes almost 16 months from the end of the reporting year because of the time needed to collect, validate, calculate and interpret the data. Between November and January, emission estimates are prepared by Environment and Climate Change Canada's Pollutant Inventories and Reporting Division with input from numerous experts and scientists across Canada. From January through March, the National Inventory Report text and accompanying emissions data tables are developed. This material is reviewed by external experts and Environment and Climate Change Canada officials, and finally submitted electronically to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, by mid-April.

Methods

The National Inventory Report estimates the emissions by combining activity data with the activity's emissions factor. It provides estimates at a sectoral and provincial/territorial level without attribution to individual emitters. The emissions estimates are developed using guidelines produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Annex 3 of the National Inventory Report describes the methods used to estimate Canada's GHG emissions.

More information

Since direct measurement of emissions from all sources is not possible, the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requires that countries develop, update, publish and maintain national inventories using internationally approved and comparable emissions and removals estimation methods for 7 GHGs (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, sulphur hexafluoride, perfluorocarbons, hydrofluorocarbons and nitrogen trifluoride). Canada's inventory is developed in accordance with the recently revised United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Inventory Reporting Guidelines for Annex I Parties  (PDF; 1.67 MB) which require the use of the 2006 methodological guidance developed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change guidelines are based on the best available science and developed through an international process that involves testing of methods through ongoing inventory development, country studies, technical and regional workshops, and national and international experts consultations.

Emissions calculation

In general, GHG emissions are estimated by multiplying activity data by the associated emission factor.

Emissions = activity data × emission factor

Activity data refer to the quantitative amount of human activity resulting in emissions during a given time period. The annual activity data for fuel combustion sources, for example, are the total amounts of fuel burned over a year.

Emission factors are based on samples of measurement data, and are representative rates of emissions for a given activity level under a given set of operating conditions. It is the estimated average emission rate of a given pollutant for a given source, relative to units of activity.

Guidelines produced by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change for countries reporting to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change provide various methods for calculating GHG emissions from a given human activity. The methods for estimating emissions are divided into "tiers," each encompassing different levels of activity and technological detail. The same general structure is used for all tiers, while the level of detail at which the calculations are carried out can vary. Annex 3 of the National Inventory Report describes the methods used to estimate Canada's GHG emissions and illustrates that the selection of Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change method type is highly dependent on the importance of each category and the availability of data.

Carbon dioxide equivalents

Greenhouse gas emissions are reported in carbon dioxide equivalents (CO2 eq), determined by multiplying the amount of emissions of a particular greenhouse gas by the global warming potential of that gas. Greenhouse gases differ in their ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere due to their differing chemical properties and atmospheric lifetimes. For example, over a period of 100 years, methane's potential to trap heat in the atmosphere is 25 times greater than carbon dioxide's potential. Therefore, methane is considered to have a global warming potential of 25. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change publishes the global warming potentials and atmospheric lifetimes for each GHG; these can be found in Table 1-1 of the National Inventory Report.

Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector

The Greenhouse gas emissions by economic sector indicator represents a different classification than the activity sector emissions prescribed by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change's methodological guidance and United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change's reporting guidelines. Instead of reporting on Canada's emissions by activity, GHG emissions have been allocated to the economic sector in which they are generated (for example, transport emissions directly supporting an industrial activity, like off-road trucks in mining activities, have been allocated to the economic sector in which they are generated rather than to the transportation "activity" sector). A comprehensive detailing of the emissions reported by economic sector can be found in chapter 2 and Annex 10 of the National Inventory Report.

Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector

The Greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector indicator was calculated using a classification adapted from the one presented in Annex 10 of the National Inventory Report.

For the passenger transport, National Inventory Report's "Cars, light trucks and motorcycles" category was split into 2 separate categories ("Cars" and "Light trucks"), and the "Motorcycles" data were combined with the existing "Bus, rail and aviation" category.

For the freight transport, National Inventory Report's "Heavy duty trucks and rail" category was split into 2 separate categories. "Rail" data were then combined with the existing "Aviation and marine" category.

No change was made to the "Other: recreational, commercial and residential" category.

Quality assurance, quality control and uncertainty

Quality assurance and quality control procedures are an essential requirement of the GHG inventory development and submission process. Quality assurance and quality control procedures ensure and improve transparency, consistency, comparability, completeness and confidence in the national emissions for the purpose of meeting Canada's reporting commitments under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Chapter 1 (section 1.3) of the National Inventory Report provides a complete description of the quality assurance and quality control procedures.

Uncertainty analysis helps to prioritize improvements and to guide decisions on methodological choices. Annex 2 of the National Inventory Report presents the uncertainty assessment for Canada's GHG emissions. Further details on uncertainty related to specific sectors can be found in the uncertainty sections of chapters 3 through 7 of the National Inventory Report.

Recent changes

Recalculations are performed annually on Canada's previously reported greenhouse gas emissions estimates to reflect updates to source data and estimation methodology. Recalculations in this latest release of the indicator have resulted in lower emissions for all years (1% to 2% lower). Chapter 8 of the National Inventory Report provides a summary of the recalculations that occurred due to methodological changes and/or refinements since the previous submission. The summary includes:

  • brief description, justification and summary of individual impacts on previously reported emission estimates
  • details on specific inventory improvements implemented in 2023 as well as planned improvements

Caveats and limitations

The Greenhouse gas emissions indicators are comprehensive but some emission sources have not been included in the indicators because they are not reported in the National Inventory Report. Owing to their relatively small contributions to the total emissions, these excluded sources do not significantly affect the overall completeness of the inventory. A detailed explanation of the excluded emission sources can be found in Annex 5 of the National Inventory Report.

Although reported in the National Inventory Report, emissions and removals from the land use, land use change and forestry sector are excluded from national totals and subsequently not reported as part of the Greenhouse gas emissions indicators.

The latest year reported (2021) coincides with the 2nd year of the COVID-19 pandemic which strongly affected a wide range of economic sectors, including the energy and transport sectors. The emissions change for the periods from 1990 to 2021, and from 2005 to 2021 must be interpreted with caution as the level of incidence of the pandemic on the emissions is not discussed in detail in the indicators. 

Resources

Resources

References

Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) Greenhouse gas sources and sinks: executive summary 2022. Retrieved on February 6, 2023.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada. Retrieved on April 14, 2023.

Government of Saskatchewan - Ministry of Energy and Resources (2023) Saskatchewan Total Oil Production Volume. Retrieved on January 26, 2023.

Statistics Canada (2023) Census of agriculture. Retrieved on January 26, 2023.

Related information

Greenhouse gas emissions: drivers and impacts

Canada’s action on climate change

Climate change

Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories

Interactive figures
Created April 2023

These interactive figures support the Greenhouse gas emissions indicators. Use them to explore the latest emissions data in a dynamic and customizable format.

Select data by using the drop-down menu above each figure and clear your selections by clicking the "Reset figures" button on the right-hand side of the dashboard.  All values in the figures will automatically update based on your selections.

You can also choose to use your keyboard to navigate the figures.

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (2023) National Inventory Report 1990-2021: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada.

Download data file for greenhouse gas emissions (Excel/CSV; 1.35 MB)

Keyboard shortcuts
Command Shortcuts
Move focus to visual menu Alt + Shift + F10
Show as a table Alt + Shift + F11
Enter a visual Ctrl + Right arrow
Enter a layer Enter
Exit a layer or visual Esc
Select or unselect data point Space
Multi-select data points Ctrl + Space
Show data point details Ctrl + H
Clear data selection Ctrl + Shift + C
Slicer control Enter

More keyboard shortcuts and accessibility features

Page details

Date modified: