emissions of air pollutants in Canada
Canada: emissions of air pollutants was 2.88 million tonnes in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2022)
2.88 million tonnes
Change on year
up 0.0%
World rank
25th
of 220 countries
All-time high
10.69 million tonnes
in 1980
All-time low
165,644 tonnes
in 1750
Years of data
273
1750–2022
emissions of air pollutants in Canada, 1750–2022
Source: Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Canada recorded 2.88 million tonnes for emissions of air pollutants in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 15.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, emissions of air pollutants in Canada peaked at 10.69 million tonnes in 1980 and was at its lowest, 165,644 tonnes, in 1750.
Canada ranks 25th of 220 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
emissions of air pollutants in Canada, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1750 | 165,644 tonnes | — |
| 1751 | 168,118 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1752 | 170,589 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1753 | 173,056 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1754 | 175,521 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1755 | 177,983 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1756 | 180,441 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1757 | 182,897 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1758 | 185,350 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1759 | 187,799 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1760 | 190,246 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1761 | 193,179 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1762 | 196,109 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1763 | 199,034 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1764 | 201,955 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1765 | 204,871 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1766 | 207,784 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1767 | 210,692 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1768 | 213,596 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1769 | 216,496 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1770 | 219,392 tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1771 | 222,887 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1772 | 226,376 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1773 | 229,859 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1774 | 233,336 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1775 | 236,807 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1776 | 240,272 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1777 | 243,732 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1778 | 247,185 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1779 | 250,633 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1780 | 254,074 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1781 | 258,256 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1782 | 262,430 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1783 | 266,595 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1784 | 270,752 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1785 | 274,926 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1786 | 279,066 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1787 | 283,197 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1788 | 287,320 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1789 | 291,435 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1790 | 295,541 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1791 | 300,566 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1792 | 305,579 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1793 | 310,579 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1794 | 315,568 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1795 | 320,545 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1796 | 325,509 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1797 | 330,462 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1798 | 335,402 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1799 | 340,331 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1800 | 345,248 tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1801 | 351,308 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1802 | 357,351 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1803 | 363,377 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1804 | 369,386 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1805 | 375,377 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1806 | 381,351 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1807 | 387,308 tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1808 | 393,248 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1809 | 399,170 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1810 | 405,076 tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1811 | 420,914 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1812 | 436,702 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1813 | 452,437 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1814 | 468,121 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1815 | 483,754 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1816 | 499,335 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1817 | 514,865 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1818 | 530,343 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1819 | 545,770 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1820 | 561,145 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1821 | 583,222 tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1822 | 605,214 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1823 | 627,119 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1824 | 648,939 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1825 | 670,674 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1826 | 692,322 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1827 | 713,885 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1828 | 735,363 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1829 | 756,754 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1830 | 778,060 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1831 | 809,095 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1832 | 839,986 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1833 | 870,732 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1834 | 901,334 tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1835 | 931,792 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1836 | 962,105 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1837 | 992,274 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1838 | 1.02 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1839 | 1.05 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1840 | 1.08 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1841 | 1.13 million tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1842 | 1.17 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1843 | 1.22 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1844 | 1.26 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1845 | 1.31 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1846 | 1.35 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1847 | 1.39 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1848 | 1.44 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1849 | 1.48 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1850 | 1.53 million tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1851 | 1.50 million tonnes | -1.7% |
| 1852 | 1.52 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1853 | 1.58 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1854 | 1.63 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1855 | 1.69 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1856 | 1.75 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1857 | 1.81 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1858 | 1.88 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1859 | 1.95 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1860 | 2.02 million tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1861 | 1.94 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1862 | 1.96 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1863 | 1.98 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1864 | 2.00 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1865 | 2.02 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1866 | 2.34 million tonnes | +15.7% |
| 1867 | 2.08 million tonnes | -11.3% |
| 1868 | 2.08 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1869 | 2.10 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1870 | 2.22 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1871 | 2.25 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1872 | 2.28 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1873 | 2.31 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1874 | 2.33 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1875 | 2.37 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1876 | 2.38 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1877 | 2.40 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1878 | 2.42 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1879 | 2.45 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1880 | 2.53 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1881 | 2.56 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1882 | 2.60 million tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1883 | 2.63 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1884 | 2.68 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1885 | 2.68 million tonnes | +0.3% |
| 1886 | 2.71 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1887 | 2.74 million tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1888 | 2.81 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1889 | 2.78 million tonnes | -0.9% |
| 1890 | 2.81 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1891 | 2.84 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1892 | 2.84 million tonnes | -0.0% |
| 1893 | 2.85 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1894 | 2.84 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1895 | 2.83 million tonnes | -0.5% |
| 1896 | 2.85 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1897 | 2.85 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1898 | 2.87 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1899 | 2.93 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1900 | 2.96 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1901 | 3.02 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1902 | 3.07 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1903 | 3.15 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1904 | 3.27 million tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1905 | 3.34 million tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1906 | 3.44 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1907 | 3.75 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1908 | 3.88 million tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1909 | 3.94 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1910 | 4.17 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1911 | 4.37 million tonnes | +4.9% |
| 1912 | 4.55 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1913 | 4.84 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1914 | 4.67 million tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1915 | 4.51 million tonnes | -3.4% |
| 1916 | 4.77 million tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1917 | 4.93 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1918 | 5.01 million tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1919 | 4.75 million tonnes | -5.2% |
| 1920 | 4.93 million tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1921 | 4.93 million tonnes | -0.1% |
| 1922 | 4.73 million tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1923 | 5.24 million tonnes | +10.7% |
| 1924 | 4.95 million tonnes | -5.5% |
| 1925 | 4.93 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1926 | 5.16 million tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1927 | 5.34 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1928 | 5.40 million tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1929 | 5.55 million tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1930 | 5.45 million tonnes | -1.8% |
| 1931 | 5.13 million tonnes | -5.8% |
| 1932 | 5.05 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1933 | 5.10 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1934 | 5.42 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1935 | 5.46 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1936 | 5.62 million tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1937 | 5.77 million tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1938 | 5.53 million tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1939 | 5.74 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1940 | 6.03 million tonnes | +5.1% |
| 1941 | 6.36 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1942 | 6.64 million tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1943 | 6.87 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1944 | 7.00 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1945 | 6.80 million tonnes | -3.0% |
| 1946 | 7.09 million tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1947 | 7.30 million tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1948 | 7.76 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1949 | 7.45 million tonnes | -4.0% |
| 1950 | 7.82 million tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1951 | 8.08 million tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1952 | 8.02 million tonnes | -0.7% |
| 1953 | 8.00 million tonnes | -0.3% |
| 1954 | 8.04 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 1955 | 8.05 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1956 | 8.48 million tonnes | +5.4% |
| 1957 | 8.07 million tonnes | -4.8% |
| 1958 | 7.86 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 1959 | 7.71 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1960 | 7.60 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 1961 | 7.45 million tonnes | -2.0% |
| 1962 | 7.50 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1963 | 7.47 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1964 | 7.48 million tonnes | +0.1% |
| 1965 | 7.55 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1966 | 7.61 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1967 | 7.77 million tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1968 | 8.03 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1969 | 8.16 million tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1970 | 8.52 million tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1971 | 8.49 million tonnes | -0.4% |
| 1972 | 8.81 million tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1973 | 9.32 million tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1974 | 9.55 million tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 9.47 million tonnes | -0.8% |
| 1976 | 9.78 million tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1977 | 9.87 million tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1978 | 10.22 million tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1979 | 10.62 million tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1980 | 10.69 million tonnes | +0.6% |
| 1981 | 10.30 million tonnes | -3.6% |
| 1982 | 9.51 million tonnes | -7.6% |
| 1983 | 9.50 million tonnes | -0.2% |
| 1984 | 9.57 million tonnes | +0.8% |
| 1985 | 9.58 million tonnes | +0.0% |
| 1986 | 9.40 million tonnes | -1.9% |
| 1987 | 9.58 million tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1988 | 9.65 million tonnes | +0.7% |
| 1989 | 9.33 million tonnes | -3.3% |
| 1990 | 9.18 million tonnes | -1.6% |
| 1991 | 8.96 million tonnes | -2.4% |
| 1992 | 9.12 million tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1993 | 9.24 million tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1994 | 9.33 million tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1995 | 8.99 million tonnes | -3.7% |
| 1996 | 8.76 million tonnes | -2.6% |
| 1997 | 8.40 million tonnes | -4.1% |
| 1998 | 7.88 million tonnes | -6.1% |
| 1999 | 7.45 million tonnes | -5.5% |
| 2000 | 7.26 million tonnes | -2.5% |
| 2001 | 6.79 million tonnes | -6.5% |
| 2002 | 6.46 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2003 | 6.09 million tonnes | -5.7% |
| 2004 | 5.66 million tonnes | -7.1% |
| 2005 | 5.15 million tonnes | -9.0% |
| 2006 | 4.69 million tonnes | -8.9% |
| 2007 | 4.55 million tonnes | -2.9% |
| 2008 | 4.33 million tonnes | -5.0% |
| 2009 | 4.11 million tonnes | -4.9% |
| 2010 | 3.93 million tonnes | -4.4% |
| 2011 | 3.54 million tonnes | -9.9% |
| 2012 | 3.41 million tonnes | -3.9% |
| 2013 | 3.48 million tonnes | +2.0% |
| 2014 | 3.38 million tonnes | -2.7% |
| 2015 | 3.31 million tonnes | -2.2% |
| 2016 | 3.27 million tonnes | -1.3% |
| 2017 | 3.28 million tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2018 | 3.23 million tonnes | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 3.12 million tonnes | -3.4% |
| 2020 | 2.83 million tonnes | -9.3% |
| 2021 | 2.87 million tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2022 | 2.88 million tonnes | +0.0% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 2.88 million tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 150,374 tonnes, 19.1× the median. (78 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1750s | 176,740 tonnes | 165,644 tonnes | 187,799 tonnes | 10 |
| 1760s | 203,396 tonnes | 190,246 tonnes | 216,496 tonnes | 10 |
| 1770s | 235,048 tonnes | 219,392 tonnes | 250,633 tonnes | 10 |
| 1780s | 272,805 tonnes | 254,074 tonnes | 291,435 tonnes | 10 |
| 1790s | 318,008 tonnes | 295,541 tonnes | 340,331 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 372,312 tonnes | 345,248 tonnes | 399,170 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 475,732 tonnes | 405,076 tonnes | 545,770 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 659,464 tonnes | 561,145 tonnes | 756,754 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 915,986 tonnes | 778,060 tonnes | 1.05 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 1.28 million tonnes | 1.08 million tonnes | 1.48 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 1.68 million tonnes | 1.50 million tonnes | 1.95 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 2.05 million tonnes | 1.94 million tonnes | 2.34 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 2.34 million tonnes | 2.22 million tonnes | 2.45 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 2.67 million tonnes | 2.53 million tonnes | 2.81 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 2.85 million tonnes | 2.81 million tonnes | 2.93 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 3.38 million tonnes | 2.96 million tonnes | 3.94 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 4.66 million tonnes | 4.17 million tonnes | 5.01 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 5.12 million tonnes | 4.73 million tonnes | 5.55 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 5.43 million tonnes | 5.05 million tonnes | 5.77 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 6.93 million tonnes | 6.03 million tonnes | 7.76 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 8.01 million tonnes | 7.71 million tonnes | 8.48 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 7.66 million tonnes | 7.45 million tonnes | 8.16 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 9.47 million tonnes | 8.49 million tonnes | 10.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 9.71 million tonnes | 9.33 million tonnes | 10.69 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.73 million tonnes | 7.45 million tonnes | 9.33 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.51 million tonnes | 4.11 million tonnes | 7.26 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 3.40 million tonnes | 3.12 million tonnes | 3.93 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.86 million tonnes | 2.83 million tonnes | 2.88 million tonnes | 3 |
Countries ranked near Canada
More climate change data for Canada
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 2.27 billion kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 44,359 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 9,631 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 34,728 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 36.34 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 1,240 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 17,229 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 16,823 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 406.39 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 63.48 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is emissions of air pollutants in Canada?
- Emissions of air pollutants in Canada was 2.88 million tonnes in 2022, according to Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 10.69 million tonnes in 1980.
- What is the lowest emissions of air pollutants recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 165,644 tonnes in 1750.
- How does Canada rank for emissions of air pollutants?
- Canada ranks 25th out of 220 countries with data for 2022.
- Is emissions of air pollutants rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is down 15.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from Hoesly et al. (2024) – Community Emissions Data System (CEDS) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of emissions of air pollutants. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 273 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Carbon monoxide (CO) is a pollutant produced from the incomplete combustion of carbon-based fuels such as oil, gas, wood, and coal. CO is a harmful gas that contributes to both outdoor and indoor air pollution.