Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal in Canada
Canada: Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal was 9.84 billion tonnes in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
9.84 billion tonnes
Change on year
up 0.3%
World rank
15th
of 179 countries
All-time high
9.84 billion tonnes
in 2024
All-time low
3,664 tonnes
in 1785
Years of data
240
1785–2024
Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal in Canada, 1785–2024
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
Canada recorded 9.84 billion tonnes for cumulative co₂ emissions from coal in 2024. That is the highest value across all 240 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 0.3% on the previous year and up 5.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, cumulative co₂ emissions from coal in Canada peaked at 9.84 billion tonnes in 2024 and was at its lowest, 3,664 tonnes, in 1785.
Canada ranks 15th of 179 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal in Canada, year by year
| Year | tonnes | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1785 | 3,664 tonnes | — |
| 1786 | 7,328 tonnes | +100.0% |
| 1787 | 10,992 tonnes | +50.0% |
| 1788 | 14,656 tonnes | +33.3% |
| 1789 | 18,320 tonnes | +25.0% |
| 1790 | 21,984 tonnes | +20.0% |
| 1791 | 25,648 tonnes | +16.7% |
| 1792 | 29,312 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1793 | 32,976 tonnes | +12.5% |
| 1794 | 36,640 tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1795 | 40,304 tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1796 | 43,968 tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1797 | 47,632 tonnes | +8.3% |
| 1798 | 51,296 tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1799 | 54,960 tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1800 | 58,624 tonnes | +6.7% |
| 1801 | 62,288 tonnes | +6.2% |
| 1802 | 65,952 tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1803 | 69,616 tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1804 | 73,280 tonnes | +5.3% |
| 1805 | 76,944 tonnes | +5.0% |
| 1806 | 80,608 tonnes | +4.8% |
| 1807 | 84,272 tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1808 | 87,936 tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1809 | 91,600 tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1810 | 95,264 tonnes | +4.0% |
| 1811 | 98,928 tonnes | +3.8% |
| 1812 | 102,592 tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1813 | 106,256 tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1814 | 109,920 tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1815 | 113,584 tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1816 | 117,248 tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1817 | 120,912 tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1818 | 124,576 tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1819 | 128,240 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1820 | 131,904 tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1821 | 135,568 tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1822 | 139,232 tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1823 | 142,896 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1824 | 146,560 tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1825 | 150,224 tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1826 | 153,888 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1827 | 157,552 tonnes | +2.4% |
| 1828 | 161,216 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1829 | 164,880 tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1830 | 168,544 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1831 | 172,208 tonnes | +2.2% |
| 1832 | 175,872 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1833 | 179,536 tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1834 | 183,200 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1835 | 186,864 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1836 | 190,528 tonnes | +2.0% |
| 1837 | 194,192 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1838 | 197,856 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1839 | 201,520 tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1840 | 205,184 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1841 | 208,848 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1842 | 212,512 tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1843 | 216,176 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1844 | 219,840 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1845 | 223,504 tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1846 | 249,152 tonnes | +11.5% |
| 1847 | 282,128 tonnes | +13.2% |
| 1848 | 322,432 tonnes | +14.3% |
| 1849 | 370,064 tonnes | +14.8% |
| 1850 | 428,688 tonnes | +15.8% |
| 1851 | 498,304 tonnes | +16.2% |
| 1852 | 582,576 tonnes | +16.9% |
| 1853 | 685,168 tonnes | +17.6% |
| 1854 | 809,744 tonnes | +18.2% |
| 1855 | 959,968 tonnes | +18.6% |
| 1856 | 1.14 million tonnes | +18.7% |
| 1857 | 1.36 million tonnes | +19.0% |
| 1858 | 1.62 million tonnes | +19.5% |
| 1859 | 1.93 million tonnes | +19.5% |
| 1860 | 2.32 million tonnes | +19.7% |
| 1861 | 2.77 million tonnes | +19.8% |
| 1862 | 3.33 million tonnes | +19.9% |
| 1863 | 4.00 million tonnes | +20.1% |
| 1864 | 4.80 million tonnes | +20.2% |
| 1865 | 5.77 million tonnes | +20.2% |
| 1866 | 6.95 million tonnes | +20.3% |
| 1867 | 8.46 million tonnes | +21.8% |
| 1868 | 9.32 million tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1869 | 9.92 million tonnes | +6.4% |
| 1870 | 11.04 million tonnes | +11.3% |
| 1871 | 12.71 million tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1872 | 14.44 million tonnes | +13.5% |
| 1873 | 15.89 million tonnes | +10.1% |
| 1874 | 17.45 million tonnes | +9.8% |
| 1875 | 19.24 million tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1876 | 20.97 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1877 | 22.86 million tonnes | +9.0% |
| 1878 | 24.67 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1879 | 26.62 million tonnes | +7.9% |
| 1880 | 31.71 million tonnes | +19.1% |
| 1881 | 37.18 million tonnes | +17.3% |
| 1882 | 43.69 million tonnes | +17.5% |
| 1883 | 51.03 million tonnes | +16.8% |
| 1884 | 59.53 million tonnes | +16.7% |
| 1885 | 67.68 million tonnes | +13.7% |
| 1886 | 76.24 million tonnes | +12.7% |
| 1887 | 86.18 million tonnes | +13.0% |
| 1888 | 99.20 million tonnes | +15.1% |
| 1889 | 110.22 million tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1890 | 122.31 million tonnes | +11.0% |
| 1891 | 135.94 million tonnes | +11.1% |
| 1892 | 149.51 million tonnes | +10.0% |
| 1893 | 164.04 million tonnes | +9.7% |
| 1894 | 177.88 million tonnes | +8.4% |
| 1895 | 191.12 million tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1896 | 205.47 million tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1897 | 219.97 million tonnes | +7.1% |
| 1898 | 235.37 million tonnes | +7.0% |
| 1899 | 254.21 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1900 | 274.46 million tonnes | +8.0% |
| 1901 | 297.99 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1902 | 323.41 million tonnes | +8.5% |
| 1903 | 351.15 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1904 | 383.97 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1905 | 418.83 million tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1906 | 455.82 million tonnes | +8.8% |
| 1907 | 502.20 million tonnes | +10.2% |
| 1908 | 549.02 million tonnes | +9.3% |
| 1909 | 594.23 million tonnes | +8.2% |
| 1910 | 645.09 million tonnes | +8.6% |
| 1911 | 703.78 million tonnes | +9.1% |
| 1912 | 768.72 million tonnes | +9.2% |
| 1913 | 844.90 million tonnes | +9.9% |
| 1914 | 909.74 million tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1915 | 967.41 million tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1916 | 1.04 billion tonnes | +7.4% |
| 1917 | 1.12 billion tonnes | +7.7% |
| 1918 | 1.20 billion tonnes | +7.5% |
| 1919 | 1.27 billion tonnes | +5.8% |
| 1920 | 1.35 billion tonnes | +6.3% |
| 1921 | 1.43 billion tonnes | +5.6% |
| 1922 | 1.49 billion tonnes | +4.4% |
| 1923 | 1.58 billion tonnes | +5.9% |
| 1924 | 1.65 billion tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1925 | 1.72 billion tonnes | +4.2% |
| 1926 | 1.80 billion tonnes | +4.5% |
| 1927 | 1.88 billion tonnes | +4.6% |
| 1928 | 1.96 billion tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1929 | 2.05 billion tonnes | +4.3% |
| 1930 | 2.12 billion tonnes | +3.9% |
| 1931 | 2.19 billion tonnes | +2.9% |
| 1932 | 2.24 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1933 | 2.30 billion tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1934 | 2.37 billion tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1935 | 2.43 billion tonnes | +2.7% |
| 1936 | 2.50 billion tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1937 | 2.57 billion tonnes | +3.0% |
| 1938 | 2.64 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1939 | 2.71 billion tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1940 | 2.80 billion tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1941 | 2.89 billion tonnes | +3.4% |
| 1942 | 3.00 billion tonnes | +3.6% |
| 1943 | 3.11 billion tonnes | +3.7% |
| 1944 | 3.22 billion tonnes | +3.5% |
| 1945 | 3.32 billion tonnes | +3.1% |
| 1946 | 3.42 billion tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1947 | 3.53 billion tonnes | +3.2% |
| 1948 | 3.65 billion tonnes | +3.3% |
| 1949 | 3.75 billion tonnes | +2.8% |
| 1950 | 3.85 billion tonnes | +2.6% |
| 1951 | 3.94 billion tonnes | +2.5% |
| 1952 | 4.03 billion tonnes | +2.3% |
| 1953 | 4.12 billion tonnes | +2.1% |
| 1954 | 4.20 billion tonnes | +1.9% |
| 1955 | 4.27 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1956 | 4.35 billion tonnes | +1.8% |
| 1957 | 4.41 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1958 | 4.47 billion tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1959 | 4.52 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1960 | 4.57 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1961 | 4.62 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1962 | 4.67 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1963 | 4.71 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1964 | 4.76 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1965 | 4.82 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1966 | 4.87 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1967 | 4.93 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1968 | 4.99 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1969 | 5.05 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1970 | 5.11 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1971 | 5.16 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1972 | 5.22 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1973 | 5.28 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 1974 | 5.33 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 1975 | 5.39 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1976 | 5.45 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 1977 | 5.51 billion tonnes | +1.2% |
| 1978 | 5.58 billion tonnes | +1.3% |
| 1979 | 5.66 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1980 | 5.74 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1981 | 5.82 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1982 | 5.91 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1983 | 6.00 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1984 | 6.11 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1985 | 6.21 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1986 | 6.30 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1987 | 6.40 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1988 | 6.50 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 1989 | 6.61 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1990 | 6.71 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1991 | 6.81 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1992 | 6.92 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1993 | 7.02 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 1994 | 7.12 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1995 | 7.23 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1996 | 7.34 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 1997 | 7.45 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1998 | 7.57 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 1999 | 7.69 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2000 | 7.82 billion tonnes | +1.7% |
| 2001 | 7.95 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2002 | 8.07 billion tonnes | +1.6% |
| 2003 | 8.19 billion tonnes | +1.5% |
| 2004 | 8.31 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2005 | 8.43 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2006 | 8.54 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2007 | 8.66 billion tonnes | +1.4% |
| 2008 | 8.77 billion tonnes | +1.3% |
| 2009 | 8.87 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2010 | 8.96 billion tonnes | +1.1% |
| 2011 | 9.05 billion tonnes | +1.0% |
| 2012 | 9.13 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2013 | 9.21 billion tonnes | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 9.29 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2015 | 9.37 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2016 | 9.44 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2017 | 9.51 billion tonnes | +0.8% |
| 2018 | 9.58 billion tonnes | +0.7% |
| 2019 | 9.64 billion tonnes | +0.6% |
| 2020 | 9.69 billion tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 9.73 billion tonnes | +0.5% |
| 2022 | 9.77 billion tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2023 | 9.81 billion tonnes | +0.4% |
| 2024 | 9.84 billion tonnes | +0.3% |
Canada compared with similar countries
- Canada's 9.84 billion tonnes is above the median for high income countries, which is 374.74 million tonnes, 26.2× the median. (68 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal in Canada changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1786 | +100.0% | 3,664 tonnes | 7,328 tonnes |
| 1787 | +50.0% | 7,328 tonnes | 10,992 tonnes |
| 1788 | +33.3% | 10,992 tonnes | 14,656 tonnes |
| 1789 | +25.0% | 14,656 tonnes | 18,320 tonnes |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1780s | 10,992 tonnes | 3,664 tonnes | 18,320 tonnes | 5 |
| 1790s | 38,472 tonnes | 21,984 tonnes | 54,960 tonnes | 10 |
| 1800s | 75,112 tonnes | 58,624 tonnes | 91,600 tonnes | 10 |
| 1810s | 111,752 tonnes | 95,264 tonnes | 128,240 tonnes | 10 |
| 1820s | 148,392 tonnes | 131,904 tonnes | 164,880 tonnes | 10 |
| 1830s | 185,032 tonnes | 168,544 tonnes | 201,520 tonnes | 10 |
| 1840s | 250,984 tonnes | 205,184 tonnes | 370,064 tonnes | 10 |
| 1850s | 1.00 million tonnes | 428,688 tonnes | 1.93 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1860s | 5.76 million tonnes | 2.32 million tonnes | 9.92 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1870s | 18.59 million tonnes | 11.04 million tonnes | 26.62 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1880s | 66.27 million tonnes | 31.71 million tonnes | 110.22 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1890s | 185.58 million tonnes | 122.31 million tonnes | 254.21 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1900s | 415.11 million tonnes | 274.46 million tonnes | 594.23 million tonnes | 10 |
| 1910s | 947.48 million tonnes | 645.09 million tonnes | 1.27 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1920s | 1.69 billion tonnes | 1.35 billion tonnes | 2.05 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1930s | 2.41 billion tonnes | 2.12 billion tonnes | 2.71 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1940s | 3.27 billion tonnes | 2.80 billion tonnes | 3.75 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1950s | 4.22 billion tonnes | 3.85 billion tonnes | 4.52 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1960s | 4.80 billion tonnes | 4.57 billion tonnes | 5.05 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.37 billion tonnes | 5.11 billion tonnes | 5.66 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1980s | 6.16 billion tonnes | 5.74 billion tonnes | 6.61 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 1990s | 7.19 billion tonnes | 6.71 billion tonnes | 7.69 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 8.36 billion tonnes | 7.82 billion tonnes | 8.87 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 9.32 billion tonnes | 8.96 billion tonnes | 9.64 billion tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 9.77 billion tonnes | 9.69 billion tonnes | 9.84 billion tonnes | 5 |
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 cumulative co₂ emissions from coal in Canada?
- Cumulative co₂ emissions from coal in Canada was 9.84 billion tonnes in 2024, according to Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest cumulative co₂ emissions from coal recorded in Canada?
- The highest recorded value was 9.84 billion tonnes in 2024.
- What is the lowest cumulative co₂ emissions from coal recorded in Canada?
- The lowest recorded value was 3,664 tonnes in 1785.
- How does Canada rank for cumulative co₂ emissions from coal?
- Canada ranks 15th out of 179 countries with data for 2024.
- Is cumulative co₂ emissions from coal rising or falling in Canada?
- Over the last ten years it is up 5.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Canada data come from?
- The figures come from Global Carbon Budget (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Cumulative CO₂ emissions from coal. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 240 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Cumulative emissions of carbon dioxide (CO₂) from coal since the first year of available data, measured in tonnes.