Canada CO₂ Emissions
Canada emitted 533 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 1.38% of the global total. That ranks it 11th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 13.42 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Canada emit?
Canada produced 533 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Canada accounts for 1.38% of it.
With a population of about 40 million, that is 13.42 tonnes per person, 2.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Canada since 1990
Annual emissions in Canada have risen by 16% since 1990, from 458 million tonnes to 533 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 6%. Emissions peaked in 2007 at 590 million tonnes and are now 10% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Canada, at about 46% of the total, followed by gas at 44% and coal at 5%.
How Canada compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Canada in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 | South Korea | 583.68 | 1.51% | 11.29 |
| 10 | Germany | 572.32 | 1.48% | 6.77 |
| 11 | Canada | 533.34 | 1.38% | 13.42 |
| 12 | Turkey | 513.04 | 1.33% | 5.87 |
| 13 | Brazil | 483.01 | 1.25% | 2.28 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Canada has emitted about 35.6 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 1.93% of the cumulative global total, compared with 1.38% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Canada emit per year?
Canada emitted 533 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 1.38% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Canada?
About 13.42 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 2.8 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Canada rising or falling?
They have fallen by 6% over the last ten years and risen by 16% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2007 at 590 million tonnes and are now 10% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Canada?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 46% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by gas at 44%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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