Alberta was Canada’s most polluting province by far in 2022, having emitted over 270 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e). This was an increase of 52 percent compared to 1990 levels. Ontario – Canada's most populous province – was responsible for the second-largest volume of GHG emissions in 2022, at 157 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.
Canada's national emissions
Canada's national GHG emissions increased by 1.4 percent in 2022, to 708 MtCO₂e. The North American country has set the target of cutting its national GHG emissions by at least 40 percent by 2030, relative to 2005 levels. However, as of 2022, Canada's emissions were just seven percent lower than they were in 2005.
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by province
(in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)
* 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, 1990 to 2022. This does not constitute an endorsement by Statistics Canada of this product.
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Environment Canada. (May 2, 2024). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved December 21, 2024, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. "Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent)." Chart. May 2, 2024. Statista. Accessed December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. (2024). Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: December 21, 2024. https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada. "Greenhouse Gas (Ghg) Emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by Province (in Million Metric Tons of Co₂ Equivalent)." Statista, Statista Inc., 2 May 2024, https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
Environment Canada, Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, 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 December 21, 2024)
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in Canada from 1990 to 2022, by province (in million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent) [Graph], Environment Canada, May 2, 2024. [Online]. Available: https://www.statista.com/statistics/481142/greenhouse-gas-emissions-in-canada-by-province/
