Methane emissions in China
China: Methane emissions was 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
1st
of 199 countries
All-time high
1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2024
All-time low
220.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1870
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in China, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for methane emissions in China is 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 175 years on record.
The figure is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 18.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in China peaked at 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024 and was at its lowest, 220.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1870.
That places China 1st out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Methane emissions in China, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 253.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 250.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1852 | 248.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1853 | 246.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1854 | 244.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1855 | 242.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1856 | 240.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1857 | 238.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1858 | 235.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1859 | 233.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1860 | 231.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1861 | 230.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1862 | 229.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1863 | 228.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1864 | 226.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1865 | 225.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1866 | 224.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1867 | 223.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1868 | 222.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1869 | 221.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1870 | 220.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1871 | 220.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1872 | 221.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1873 | 221.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1874 | 222.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1875 | 223.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1876 | 223.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1877 | 224.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1878 | 224.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1879 | 225.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1880 | 226.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1881 | 226.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1882 | 227.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1883 | 228.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1884 | 229.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1885 | 229.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1886 | 230.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1887 | 231.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1888 | 232.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1889 | 232.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1890 | 233.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1891 | 234.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1892 | 236.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1893 | 237.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1894 | 238.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1895 | 239.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1896 | 240.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1897 | 242.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1898 | 243.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1899 | 244.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1900 | 245.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1901 | 247.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1902 | 248.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1903 | 250.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1904 | 251.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1905 | 252.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1906 | 256.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1907 | 258.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1908 | 260.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1909 | 261.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1910 | 262.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1911 | 267.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1912 | 266.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1913 | 269.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1914 | 273.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1915 | 276.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1916 | 279.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1917 | 282.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1918 | 286.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1919 | 289.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1920 | 293.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1921 | 293.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1922 | 294.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1923 | 296.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1924 | 298.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1925 | 299.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1926 | 299.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1927 | 300.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1928 | 301.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1929 | 303.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1930 | 304.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1931 | 306.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1932 | 308.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1933 | 311.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1934 | 314.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1935 | 317.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1936 | 320.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1937 | 320.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1938 | 321.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1939 | 324.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1940 | 329.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1941 | 335.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1942 | 338.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1943 | 337.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1944 | 338.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1945 | 330.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 1946 | 328.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1947 | 329.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1948 | 327.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1949 | 334.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1950 | 338.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1951 | 350.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1952 | 360.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1953 | 366.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1954 | 375.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1955 | 385.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1956 | 393.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1957 | 404.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1958 | 455.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.6% |
| 1959 | 493.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.2% |
| 1960 | 505.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1961 | 471.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.8% |
| 1962 | 452.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.8% |
| 1963 | 462.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1964 | 481.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1965 | 496.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1966 | 516.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1967 | 509.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 1968 | 518.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1969 | 541.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1970 | 586.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 1971 | 605.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 620.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1973 | 627.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1974 | 633.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1975 | 660.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1976 | 667.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1977 | 684.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 702.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1979 | 708.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1980 | 711.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1981 | 708.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1982 | 721.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1983 | 739.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1984 | 760.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1985 | 770.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1986 | 787.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1987 | 805.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1988 | 822.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1989 | 850.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1990 | 867.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1991 | 870.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1992 | 873.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1993 | 876.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1994 | 900.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1995 | 949.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1996 | 970.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1997 | 928.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.3% |
| 1998 | 934.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1999 | 937.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 950.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2001 | 957.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 2002 | 961.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 2003 | 1.01 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 2004 | 1.07 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.2% |
| 2005 | 1.12 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 2006 | 1.16 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 2007 | 1.18 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 2008 | 1.18 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 2009 | 1.20 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 2010 | 1.24 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 2011 | 1.32 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 2012 | 1.32 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 2013 | 1.33 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2014 | 1.34 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 1.34 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 2016 | 1.30 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.1% |
| 2017 | 1.32 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 2018 | 1.35 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 1.37 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 1.40 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 2021 | 1.45 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 1.51 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 2023 | 1.54 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 2024 | 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
China compared with similar countries
- China's 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for upper middle income countries, which is 11.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 135.6× the median. (57 countries reporting)
- China's 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 5.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 274.2× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 243.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 233.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 253.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 226.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 221.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 231.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 222.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 220.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 225.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 229.49 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 226.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 232.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 239.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 233.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 244.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 253.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 245.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 261.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 275.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 262.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 289.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 298.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 293.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 303.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 315.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 304.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 324.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 333.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 327.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 338.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 392.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 338.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 493.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 495.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 452.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 541.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 649.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 586.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 708.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 767.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 708.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 850.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 910.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 867.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 970.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.08 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 950.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.20 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.32 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.24 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.37 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.50 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.40 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near China
More climate change data for China
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 31.25 billion kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 604,831 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 191,478 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 413,353 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 722.56 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 14,763 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 342,069 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 200,605 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 141,464 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 757 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in China?
- Methane emissions in China was 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in China?
- The highest recorded value was 1.59 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in China?
- The lowest recorded value was 220.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1870.
- How does China rank for methane emissions?
- China ranks 1st out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in China?
- Over the last ten years it is up 18.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this China data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.