Alberta was Canada’s most polluting province by far in 2021, having emitted over 256 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e). This was an increase of 55 percent compared to 1990 levels. Ontario – Canada's most populous province – was responsible for the second largest volume of greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, at 150.6 MtCO₂e. Unlike Alberta, Ontario’s emissions have fallen since 2005.
Canada’s oil sands emissions
Alberta’s large oil and gas industry is the main contributor to the province’s high emissions. Alberta is home to vast oil sands where some of the most carbon polluting sites in Canada are located – such as the Syncrude project on the Athabasca Oil Sands Deposit. The Syncrude Project is a joint venture between Suncor Energy, Imperial Oil, Sinopec, and CNOOC.
COVID-19 impact on Canada’s emissions
The outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020 and resulting lockdowns and restrictions caused Canada’s carbon dioxide emissions to plummet nearly nine percent to 535 million metric tons that year. This was Canada’s lowest annual emissions for more than two decades. Nevertheless, Canada was still one of the world’s largest emitters in 2020.
Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province
(in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)
Characteristic
1990
2005
2021
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* Emissions in Northwest Territories in 1990 include Nunavut, which was part of the Northwest Territories until 1999.
Adapted from Statistics Canada, Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators - Greenhouse Gas Emissions, page 14, 1990 to 2021. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
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Environment Canada. (April 12, 2023). Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved July 22, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. "Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)." Chart. April 12, 2023. Statista. Accessed July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. (2023). Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: July 22, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. "Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by Province (in Million Metric Tons of Co₂ Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 12 Apr 2023, https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada, Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/ (last visited July 22, 2024)
Greenhouse gas emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2021, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent) [Graph], Environment Canada, April 12, 2023. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/