International comparison: air pollutant emissions in selected countries

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Air pollution problems, such as smog and acid rain, result from the release of pollutants into the atmosphere. The majority of these pollutants are released through human activities, such as transportation, the burning of fuels for electricity and heating, and a variety of industrial activities. Air pollution can affect human health, the environment, buildings, structures and the economy. These indicators compare Canada's emissions of 5 key air pollutants with those of top emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

By pollutant
Sulphur oxides

Sulphur oxides

Key results

In 2019, Canada:

  • saw a decrease of 50% in sulphur oxides (SOX) emissions from 2009 levels
  • ranked fourth highest in SOX emissions among OECD member countries
  • had the third highest ratio of SOX emissions to gross domestic product among the top 10 emitting OECD member countries

Sulphur oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019

Sulphur oxide emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006 and 2016 (see data table below for the long description)
Data tables for the long description
Sulphur oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 sulphur oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 sulphur oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 sulphur oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 sulphur oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
Turkey 2 663 2 454 2.01 1.05
Australia 2 598 2 154 2.71 1.78
United States 8 182 1 820 0.51 0.09
Canada 1 393 701 1.00 0.41
Japan 803 577 0.17 0.11
Poland 745 427 0.88 0.35
Germany 396 263 0.12 0.06
United Kingdom 452 163 0.18 0.06
Spain 285 150 0.18 0.08
Italy 241 105 0.11 0.05
Sulphur oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 sulphur oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 sulphur oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 sulphur oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 sulphur oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
France 294 100 0.12 0.03
Greece 392 80 1.04 0.27
Czech Republic 169 80 0.53 0.20
New Zealand 74 79 0.51 0.40
Iceland 72 58 4.90 3.01
Portugal 72 44 0.23 0.13
Finland 60 30 0.27 0.12
Belgium 73 29 0.16 0.05
Netherlands 39 23 0.05 0.02
Estonia 55 19 1.73 0.42
Hungary 30 17 0.13 0.06
Sweden 27 16 0.07 0.03
Norway 15 16 0.05 0.05
Slovak Republic 63 16 0.46 0.09
Lithuania 19 12 0.28 0.12
Austria 15 11 0.04 0.02
Ireland 33 11 0.14 0.03
Denmark 16 10 0.06 0.03
Switzerland 10 4 0.02 0.01
Slovenia 10 4 0.16 0.06
Latvia 7 4 0.15 0.07
Luxembourg 2 1 0.04 0.02
South Korea 388 n/a 0.25 n/a
Chile 330 n/a 1.04 n/a
Israel 154 n/a 0.66 n/a
Colombia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a n/a
Mexico n/a n/a n/a n/a
Note: n/a = not available.
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.17 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Definitions of pollution sources and estimation methods may differ from country to country. Comparisons should be made with caution. Gross domestic product values are in millions of constant United States dollars, constant purchasing power parity, for the base year 2010. The use of purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat.

Although Canada's SOX emissions declined by 692 kilotonnes from 2009 to 2019, Canada ranked as one of the highest emitters among OECD member countries, behind Turkey, Australia and the United States. Of the top 10 emitters, the United States experienced the largest decrease (6 362 kilotonnes, or 78%), driven by reduced emissions from the coal-fired electricity production industry.

All of the top 10 emitting member countries experienced declines in emissions between 2009 and 2019.

In terms of the ratio of SOX emissions to gross domestic product, all top 10 emitting member countries reported declines ranging between 34% and 82% from 2009 to 2019.

Note that, in 2009, South Korea was the 10th highest in SOX emissions among OECD member countries with 388 kilotonnes. Since no data was available for 2019, South Korea is not represented in the comparison as the top 10 emitting countries are based on 2019 emissions.

Nitrogen oxides

Nitrogen oxides

Key results

In 2019, Canada:

  • saw a decrease of 15% in nitrogen oxides (NOX) emissions from 2009 levels
  • ranked third highest in NOX emissions among OECD member countries
  • had the second highest ratio of NOX emissions to gross domestic product among the top 10 emitting OECD member countries

Nitrogen oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019

Nitrogen oxide emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006 and 2016 (see data table below for the long description)
Data tables for the long description
Nitrogen oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 nitrogen oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 nitrogen oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 nitrogen oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 nitrogen oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
United States 14 221 7 762 0.89 0.39
Australia 2 250 2 715 2.35 2.25
Canada 1 949 1 649 1.40 0.95
Japan 1 559 1 228 0.33 0.23
Germany 1 455 1 133 0.42 0.27
United Kingdom 1 269 837 0.52 0.28
France 1 171 780 0.46 0.27
Turkey 1 029 779 0.78 0.33
Poland 862 680 1.01 0.56
Spain 977 648 0.60 0.36
Nitrogen oxides emissions and emissions intensity of the other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 nitrogen oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 nitrogen oxides emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 nitrogen oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 nitrogen oxides emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
Italy 971 629 0.43 0.27
Greece 435 249 1.16 0.83
Netherlands 340 220 0.42 0.24
New Zealand 154 177 1.05 0.89
Czech Republic 251 172 0.78 0.42
Belgium 238 156 0.50 0.28
Norway 207 153 0.73 0.46
Portugal 213 144 0.68 0.42
Austria 202 142 0.50 0.30
Sweden 165 128 0.40 0.24
Finland 170 114 0.76 0.45
Hungary 151 114 0.64 0.37
Ireland 128 100 0.56 0.24
Denmark 154 98 0.60 0.32
Slovak Republic 88 60 0.65 0.33
Switzerland 84 59 0.17 0.10
Lithuania 52 51 0.76 0.52
Latvia 39 33 0.89 0.60
Slovenia 48 29 0.77 0.38
Estonia 36 25 1.14 0.55
Iceland 28 21 1.90 1.07
Luxembourg 38 18 0.77 0.28
South Korea 1 014 n/a 0.65 n/a
Chile 220 n/a 0.69 n/a
Israel 167 n/a 0.72 n/a
Colombia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a n/a
Mexico n/a n/a n/a n/a
Note: n/a = not available.
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.19 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Definitions of pollution sources and estimation methods may differ from country to country. Comparisons should be made with caution. Gross domestic product values are in millions of constant United States dollars, constant purchasing power parity, for the base year 2010. The use of purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat.

In 2019, Canada ranked as one of the highest emitters among OECD member countries, behind the United States and Australia, despite a reduction of 300 kilotonnes in NOX emissions between 2009 and 2019. Of the top 10 emitting members, the United States experienced the largest reduction over that period (6 458 kilotonnes, or 45%). In 2019, emissions in Australia were 21% higher than in 2009.

Emissions intensity, the ratio of NOX emissions to gross domestic product, was lower in 2019 than it was in 2009 for all top 10 emitting member countries. The reductions in intensity were between 4% and 57%.

Note that, in 2009, South Korea was the ninth highest in NOX emissions among OECD member countries with 1 014 kilotonnes. Since no data was available for 2019, South Korea is not represented in the comparison as the top 10 emitting countries are based on 2019 emissions.

Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide

Key results

In 2019, Canada:

  • saw a decrease of 18% in carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from 2009 levels
  • ranked second highest in CO emissions among OECD member countries
  • had the highest ratio of CO emissions to gross domestic product among the top 10 emitting OECD member countries

Carbon monoxide emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019

Carbon monoxide emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006 and 2016 (see data table below for the long description)
Data tables for the long description
Carbon monoxide emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 carbon monoxide emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 carbon monoxide emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 carbon monoxide emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 carbon monoxide emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
United States 54 933 40 553 3.45 2.03
Canada 6 311 5 161 4.54 2.98
Japan 2 662 3 157 0.56 0.59
Germany 3 298 2 881 0.96 0.69
Australia 3 154 2 396 3.29 1.98
France 3 731 2 374 1.47 0.81
Poland 2 877 2 116 3.38 1.74
Italy 3 112 2 061 1.37 0.88
Turkey 3 543 1 662 2.67 0.71
Spain 1 632 1 601 1.01 0.89
Carbon monoxide emissions and emissions intensity of the other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 carbon monoxide emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 carbon monoxide emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 carbon monoxide emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 carbon monoxide emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
United Kingdom 2 163 1 579 0.88 0.54
Czech Republic 906 819 2.82 2.00
New Zealand 711 730 4.84 3.67
Netherlands 652 619 0.81 0.66
Austria 563 497 1.40 1.06
Greece 696 464 1.85 1.54
Norway 458 401 1.61 1.21
Belgium 424 367 0.89 0.66
Hungary 540 354 2.30 1.14
Finland 423 344 1.88 1.36
Sweden 469 337 1.15 0.64
Portugal 399 289 1.27 0.85
Slovak Republic 414 279 3.07 1.54
Denmark 361 208 1.41 0.68
Switzerland 254 160 0.52 0.27
Estonia 156 131 4.90 2.88
Latvia 212 119 4.89 2.16
Iceland 120 117 8.15 6.03
Lithuania 170 115 2.48 1.19
Slovenia 143 97 2.26 1.27
Ireland 158 67 0.69 0.16
Luxembourg 30 21 0.61 0.31
Chile 4 718 n/a 14.82 n/a
South Korea 810 n/a 0.52 n/a
Israel 198 n/a 0.85 n/a
Colombia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a n/a
Mexico n/a n/a n/a n/a
Note: n/a = not available.
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.22 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Definitions of pollution sources and estimation methods may differ from country to country. Comparisons should be made with caution. Gross domestic product values are in millions of constant United States dollars, constant purchasing power parity, for the base year 2010. The use of purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat.

In 2019, the United States was the highest CO emitting country, followed by Canada. The top 10 emitting member countries of the OECD experienced declines in emissions between 2% and 53% in 2019 from 2009 levels.

Except for Japan, declines were also observed in the ratio of CO emissions to gross domestic product between 2009 and 2019; they ranged from 12% to 73% for the top 10 emitting countries.

Note that, in 2009, Chile was the third highest in CO emissions among OECD member countries with 4 718 kilotonnes. Since no data was available for 2019, Chile is not represented in the comparison as the top 10 emitting countries are based on 2019 emissions. 

Volatile organic compounds

Volatile organic compounds

Key results

In 2019, Canada:

  • saw a decrease of 15% in volatile organic compounds (VOC) emissions from 2009 levels
  • ranked second highest in VOC emissions among OECD member countries
  • had the second highest ratio of VOC emissions to gross domestic product among the top 10 emitting OECD member countries

Volatile organic compounds emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019

Volatile organic compound emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006 and 2016 (see data table below for the long description)
Data tables for the long description
Volatile organic compounds emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 volatile organic compounds emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 volatile organic compounds emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 volatile organic compounds emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 volatile organic compounds emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
United States 13 378 11 091 0.84 0.56
Canada 1 972 1 676 1.42 0.97
Australia 1 236 1 194 1.29 0.99
Germany 1 245 1 121 0.36 0.27
Turkey 1 092 1 120 0.82 0.48
France 1 198 956 0.47 0.33
Italy 1 184 894 0.52 0.38
Japan 1 067 881 0.23 0.16
United Kingdom 922 813 0.38 0.28
Poland 774 647 0.91 0.53
Volatile organic compounds emissions and emissions intensity of the other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 volatile organic compounds emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 volatile organic compounds emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 volatile organic compounds emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 volatile organic compounds emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
Spain 618 608 0.38 0.34
Netherlands 257 236 0.32 0.25
Czech Republic 258 215 0.80 0.52
New Zealand 178 190 1.21 0.96
Portugal 161 160 0.51 0.47
Norway 166 153 0.58 0.47
Greece 250 144 0.66 0.48
Sweden 181 134 0.44 0.26
Hungary 137 119 0.58 0.39
Ireland 114 114 0.50 0.28
Belgium 145 113 0.31 0.20
Austria 137 108 0.34 0.23
Denmark 133 103 0.52 0.33
Slovak Republic 125 100 0.93 0.55
Finland 110 83 0.49 0.33
Switzerland 103 81 0.21 0.14
Lithuania 59 52 0.87 0.53
Latvia 48 41 1.10 0.73
Slovenia 41 31 0.64 0.41
Estonia 24 23 0.74 0.50
Luxembourg 12 11 0.25 0.17
Iceland 6 5 0.44 0.28
Chile 2 381 n/a 7.48 n/a
South Korea 817 n/a 0.53 n/a
Israel 263 n/a 1.13 n/a
Colombia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a n/a
Mexico n/a n/a n/a n/a
Note: n/a = not available.
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.25 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Definitions of pollution sources and estimation methods may differ from country to country. Comparisons should be made with caution. Gross domestic product values are in millions of constant United States dollars, constant purchasing power parity, for the base year 2010. The use of purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat.

Although Canada's VOC emissions declined by 296 kilotonnes between 2009 and 2019, Canada ranked as one of the highest emitters among the member countries of the OECD, behind the United States. Most of the top 10 emitting member countries experienced declines in emissions between 2009 and 2019, with the exception of Turkey whose emissions increased by 3%.

The reductions in emissions intensity range from 23% to 42% between 2009 and 2019 for the top 10 emitting member countries.

Note that, in 2009, Chile was the second highest in VOC emissions among OECD member countries with 2 381 kilotonnes. Since no data was available for 2019, Chile is not represented in the comparison as the top 10 emitting countries are based on 2019 emissions. 

Fine particulate matter

Fine particulate matter

Key results

In 2019, Canada:

  • saw an increase of 21% in fine particulate matter (PM2.5) emissions from 2009 levels
  • ranked second highest in PM2.5 emissions among OECD member countries
  • had the highest ratio of PM2.5 emissions to gross domestic product among OECD member countries

Fine particulate matter emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019

Fine particulate matter emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2006 and 2016 (see data table below for the long description)
Data tables for the long description
Fine particulate matter emissions and emissions intensity of the top 10 emitting member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 fine particulate matter emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 fine particulate matter emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 fine particulate matter emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 fine particulate matter emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
United States 4 526 3 627 0.28 0.18
Canada 1 277 1 550 0.92 0.90
Turkey 195 202 0.15 0.09
Italy 201 139 0.09 0.06
Spain 141 135 0.09 0.08
Poland 143 122 0.17 0.10
France 185 121 0.07 0.04
United Kingdom 114 109 0.05 0.04
Germany 114 92 0.03 0.02
Portugal 55 49 0.17 0.14
Fine particulate matter emissions and emissions intensity of the other member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, 2009 and 2019
Country 2009 fine particulate matter emissions
(kilotonnes)
2019 fine particulate matter emissions
(kilotonnes)
2009 fine particulate matter emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
2019 fine particulate matter emissions intensity
(tonnes per million United States dollars of gross domestic product)
Hungary 49 40 0.21 0.13
Greece 62 37 0.16 0.12
Czech Republic 42 36 0.13 0.09
Norway 32 24 0.11 0.07
Latvia 28 20 0.66 0.36
Belgium 29 18 0.06 0.03
Slovak Republic 23 18 0.17 0.10
Sweden 26 18 0.06 0.03
Finland 22 17 0.10 0.07
Netherlands 23 15 0.03 0.02
Austria 19 14 0.05 0.03
Denmark 21 13 0.08 0.04
Ireland 17 12 0.08 0.03
Slovenia 14 11 0.23 0.14
Switzerland 9 6 0.02 0.01
Estonia 10 6 0.30 0.13
Lithuania 8 5 0.12 0.06
Iceland 2 1 0.13 0.07
Luxembourg 2 1 0.04 0.02
Chile 381 n/a 1.20 n/a
Australia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Colombia n/a n/a n/a n/a
Costa Rica n/a n/a n/a n/a
Israel n/a n/a n/a n/a
Japan n/a n/a n/a n/a
Mexico n/a n/a n/a n/a
New Zealand n/a n/a n/a n/a
South Korea n/a n/a n/a n/a
Note: n/a = not available.
Download data file (Excel/CSV; 2.46 kB)

How this indicator was calculated

Note: Definitions of pollution sources and estimation methods may differ from country to country. Canada and the United States include open sources such as dust from roads, prescribed forest burning and agriculture in their PM2.5 emissions. These sources are not always reported by other OECD member countries. Comparisons should be made with caution. Gross domestic product values are in millions of constant United States dollars, constant purchasing power parity, for the base year 2010. The use of purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.
Source: Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat.

Canada and Turkey experienced an increase in PM2.5 emissions in 2019 from 2009 levels, by 273 and 8 kilotonnes respectively. Despite these increases in emissions, all the top 10 member countries experienced declines in their emissions intensity, which varied between 3% and 42%, from 2009 to 2019.

Canada and the United States include open sourcesFootnote 1  such as dust from roads, prescribed forest burning and agriculture in their PM2.5 emissions. These sources are not always reported by other OECD member countries.

Note that, in 2009, Chile was the third highest in PM2.5 emissions among OECD member countries with 381 kilotonnes. Since no data was available for 2019, Chile is not represented in the comparison as the top 10 emitting countries are based on 2019 emissions.

About the indicators

About the indicators

What the indicators measure

These indicators present total emissions and emissions intensity for member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The emissions of 5 pollutants are reported: sulphur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), carbon monoxide (CO), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). The indicators focus on the top 10 emitting member countries of the OECD.

Why these indicators are important

These indicators help to inform Canadians about how Canada's emissions compare to those of other countries. The indicators report on key air pollutants that contribute to smog and acid rain and help the government to identify priorities, track progress, and develop strategies and policies for reducing or controlling air pollution.

Exposure to air pollutants on a daily basis can cause adverse health and environmental effects. Fine particulate matter is a key component of smog along with ground-level ozone (O3) and has been associated with pulmonary and cardiovascular health issues. While causing effects of their own, NOX (such as nitrogen dioxide [NO2]) and VOCs are the main contributors to the formation of O3. NOX, SOX (such as sulphur dioxide [SO2]), and VOCs also lead to the formation of PM2.5 in the air. This is in addition to the PM2.5 that is emitted directly from sources such as road dust and prescribed forest burning. SOX and NOX can also lead to the formation of acid rain that can harm the environment, materials, living organisms and humans.

Irrespective of downward trends observed in emissions, localized air quality issues may still arise when emission sources are spatially concentrated. 

Consult Air pollution: drivers and impacts for more information on the human health, environmental and economic impacts of air pollution.

Related indicators

The Air pollutant emissions indicators track emissions from human activities of 6 key air pollutants: sulphur oxides (SOX), nitrogen oxides (NOX), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), ammonia (NH3), carbon monoxide (CO) and fine particulate matter (PM2.5). Black carbon, which is a component of PM2.5, is also reported. For each air pollutant, data are provided at the national, provincial/territorial and facility level and by major source.

The Air quality indicators track ambient concentrations of fine particulate matter (PM2.5), ozone (O3), sulphur dioxide (SO2), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at the national and regional levels and at local monitoring stations.

The International comparison of urban air quality indicators present and compare the air quality in selected Canadian urban areas with a population greater than 1 million to the air quality in selected international urban areas having comparable data.

Data sources and methods

Data sources and methods

Data sources

Air pollutant emissions data for the indicators come from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development OECD.Stat database, specifically the Air emissions by source table under the Environment (Air and Climate) grouping.

The gross domestic product data were obtained from the Main aggregate tables of the National accounts (Annual national accounts) in the same database.

More information

At the time of this update the OECD.Stat database contained emissions data up to the end of 2019, reflecting delays in the collection and aggregation of international data. Data are collected for each member country from the following sources:

The OECD.Stat database indicates the source used to report emissions for each country, pollutant and year.

Methods

Two (2) years of data are used to compare the emissions from 38 member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD): 2019, which is the latest year with available information, and 2009, 10 years prior.

For each air pollutant, 2009 and 2019 emissions are compiled and ranked in relation to total emissions in 2019. While the focus is on the top 10 emitting OECD member countries, emissions for all 38 member countries are provided, when available.

The emission intensity indicators are calculated by dividing a country's emissions by its gross domestic product value for that year.

More information

Air pollutant emissions indicators

Emissions for each member country are estimated or measured using one or several of the following methods:

  • continuous emission monitoring systems
  • predictive emission monitoring
  • source testing
  • mass balance
  • site-specific emission factors
  • published emission factors
  • engineering estimates
  • special studies

Generally, each country compiles and estimates its air pollutant emissions combining facility-level emissions (aka point sources) with sector-level emissions (or area sources).

Canada's data are derived from the annual Convention on Long-Range Transboundary Air Pollution submission to the Centre on Emission Inventories and Projections database. The submitted air pollutant emission data are based on Canada's Air Pollutant Emission Inventory. This includes information reported by facilities to the National Pollutant Release Inventory as well as emission estimates compiled for non-reporting facilities, non-reporting sources such as motor vehicles or non-reported pollutants (in-house emissions estimates).

Air pollution emissions per unit of gross domestic product

The emissions intensity indicators are expressed in tonnes of pollutants emitted per million United States dollars using constant gross domestic product at purchasing power parity for the base year 2010. Purchasing power parity is a weighted average of the relative prices, quoted in national currency, of comparable items between countries. Using purchasing power parity facilitates international comparison of gross domestic product by creating an equivalent purchasing power basis for each country compared.

Countries included in the comparison

The indicators include all member countries of the OECD as of September 2021. The data presented in the indicator reflect data completeness in the OECD.Stat database at the time of reporting.

Caveats and limitations

Air pollutant emission inventories from different countries are estimated with the best data, measurements and methodologies available. While national emission inventories follow a common reporting structure, emissions estimation methodologies and coverage among countries may differ. Users should be cautious when comparing the data.

The indicators exclude non-anthropogenic (natural sources) emissions and emissions from international aviation and maritime transport.

Emissions from sources such as dust from roads, prescribed forest fires and agriculture are also included in Canada's values. These sources are not always reported by other countries.

Emissions reported for Canada in this indicator may be slightly different from the emissions reported in the Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators' Air pollutant emissions. Those indicators are based on data from Canada's Air Pollutant Emission Inventory.

Adjustments may be made to Canada's national totals after the final submission to the database OECD.Stat, which may result in slight differences in the values reported.

Resources

Resources

References

Centre on Emission Inventories and Projections, European Monitoring and Evaluation Programme (2021) Submissions 2021. Retrieved on September 16, 2021.

Environment and Climate Change Canada (2021) Canada’s Air Pollutant Emissions Inventory Report (PDF; 4.14 MB). Retrieved on September 16, 2021.

Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (2021) OECD.Stat. Retrieved on September 16, 2021.

Related information

Air pollution: drivers and impacts

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