Question Period Note: Canada’s Share of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to Our World in Data, in 2023, Canada was the 10th highest absolute emitter and the 11th highest per capita emitter in the world and accounted for approximately 1.5% of global GHG emissions. Canada’s leadership matters – inaction risks undermining global efforts to limit warming to below 2 degrees Celsius.

• Canada has reversed its emissions trajectory, which was previously on track to increase by 9% by 2030 when compared to 2005 emissions. We are now consistently below 2005 levels and on track for significant reductions by 2030. As of 2023, Canada’s economy is also 34% less carbon-intensive than in 2005.
• The Government of Canada has set the guidepost for a low-carbon economy and is helping mobilize governments, industry and individuals to take actions that will help us collectively achieve this goal.
• Decarbonization is spurring innovation, and Canada’s natural resources, renewable energy and geography provide a competitive advantage in key sectors including clean hydrogen, critical minerals, energy storage and nuclear energy.

Note: values below are not directly comparable to Canada’s National Inventory Report but come from a common source and are therefore comparable across countries for ranking purposes.

• Global 12 highest per capita emitters (2023 greenhouse gas emissions, including land-use change, EU separated into individual countries; from Our World in Data)

1. Qatar – 68.5 tonnes (t) CO2 equivalent (eq) per capita
2. Bahrain – 42.7 t CO2 eq per capita
3. Brunei – 37.3 t CO2 eq per capita
4. Trinidad and Tobago – 32.3 t CO2 eq per capita
5. Kuwait – 29.0 t CO2 eq per capita
6. Mongolia – 27.0 t CO2 eq per capita
7. United Arab Emirates – 26.7 t CO2 eq per capita
8. Saudi Arabia – 26.4 t CO2 eq per capita
9. Oman – 24.3 t CO2 eq per capita
10. Australia – 22.0 t CO2 eq per capita
11. Canada – 20.4 t CO2 eq per capita
12. Russia – 18.5 t CO2 eq per capita

• Global 12 highest emitters (2023 greenhouse gas emissions, including land-use change, EU separated into individual countries; from Our World in Data LULUCF)

1. China – 13,969 megatonnes (Mt) CO2 eq
2. United States – 5,895 Mt CO2 eq
3. India – 4,196 Mt CO2 eq
4. Russia – 2,691 Mt CO2 eq
5. Brazil – 2,382 Mt CO2 eq
6. Indonesia – 1,922 Mt CO2 eq
7. Iran – 1,065 Mt CO2 eq
8. Japan – 1,032 Mt CO2 eq
9. Saudi Arabia – 879 Mt CO2 eq
10. Canada – 800 Mt CO2 eq
11. Mexico – 778 Mt CO2 eq
12. Germany – 671 Mt CO2 eq

Non-applicable