Methane emissions in United States
United States: Methane emissions was 818.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
818.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 0.1%
World rank
3rd
of 199 countries
All-time high
924.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1980
All-time low
71.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in United States, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
United States recorded 818.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents for methane emissions in 2024.
That represents a change of down 0.1% on the previous year and up 7.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in United States peaked at 924.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1980 and was at its lowest, 71.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places United States 3rd 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 United States, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 71.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 73.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1852 | 75.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1853 | 78.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1854 | 80.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1855 | 83.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1856 | 85.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1857 | 87.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1858 | 89.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1859 | 91.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1860 | 94.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1861 | 95.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1862 | 96.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1863 | 99.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1864 | 101.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1865 | 102.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1866 | 103.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1867 | 106.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1868 | 109.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1869 | 112.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1870 | 113.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1871 | 115.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1872 | 120.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1873 | 123.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1874 | 123.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1875 | 125.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1876 | 126.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1877 | 129.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1878 | 130.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1879 | 135.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1880 | 139.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1881 | 142.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1882 | 146.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1883 | 149.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1884 | 151.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1885 | 153.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1886 | 155.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1887 | 158.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1888 | 167.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.2% |
| 1889 | 163.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1890 | 172.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.0% |
| 1891 | 175.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1892 | 179.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1893 | 180.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1894 | 178.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 1895 | 185.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.9% |
| 1896 | 186.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1897 | 188.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1898 | 194.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1899 | 203.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1900 | 208.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1901 | 216.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1902 | 222.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1903 | 237.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.9% |
| 1904 | 237.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1905 | 249.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1906 | 256.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1907 | 276.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.7% |
| 1908 | 261.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.4% |
| 1909 | 275.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1910 | 288.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.7% |
| 1911 | 288.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1912 | 299.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1913 | 311.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1914 | 299.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.9% |
| 1915 | 306.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1916 | 323.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1917 | 341.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.5% |
| 1918 | 351.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1919 | 323.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.0% |
| 1920 | 351.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.8% |
| 1921 | 319.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -9.1% |
| 1922 | 322.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1923 | 373.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.8% |
| 1924 | 353.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.2% |
| 1925 | 360.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1926 | 377.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1927 | 373.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 1928 | 371.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1929 | 386.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1930 | 366.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.4% |
| 1931 | 340.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.1% |
| 1932 | 317.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.6% |
| 1933 | 327.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1934 | 337.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1935 | 343.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1936 | 367.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 1937 | 375.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1938 | 347.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.5% |
| 1939 | 363.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1940 | 385.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1941 | 408.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1942 | 431.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.6% |
| 1943 | 444.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1944 | 468.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1945 | 466.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1946 | 462.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1947 | 493.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.7% |
| 1948 | 510.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1949 | 477.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.5% |
| 1950 | 519.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.8% |
| 1951 | 534.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1952 | 535.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1953 | 551.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1954 | 550.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1955 | 585.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.4% |
| 1956 | 610.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1957 | 620.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1958 | 626.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1959 | 648.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1960 | 670.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1961 | 680.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1962 | 707.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1963 | 735.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1964 | 763.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1965 | 786.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1966 | 811.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1967 | 837.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1968 | 865.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1969 | 898.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1970 | 890.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1971 | 899.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1972 | 914.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1973 | 917.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1974 | 915.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1975 | 912.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1976 | 907.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 1977 | 897.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 1978 | 890.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.8% |
| 1979 | 913.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1980 | 924.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1981 | 921.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1982 | 916.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1983 | 885.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.4% |
| 1984 | 898.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1985 | 890.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1986 | 878.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 1987 | 876.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1988 | 881.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1989 | 881.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1990 | 865.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.8% |
| 1991 | 858.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1992 | 861.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.3% |
| 1993 | 860.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 1994 | 866.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1995 | 849.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 843.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.7% |
| 1997 | 839.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1998 | 823.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1999 | 809.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.7% |
| 2000 | 799.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.2% |
| 2001 | 776.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.9% |
| 2002 | 757.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 2003 | 764.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2004 | 765.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 2005 | 772.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2006 | 785.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 2007 | 793.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2008 | 810.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 2009 | 772.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.7% |
| 2010 | 756.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 2011 | 764.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 2012 | 749.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 2013 | 748.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 2014 | 763.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 2015 | 754.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 733.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.9% |
| 2017 | 749.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 2018 | 777.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 2019 | 799.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 2020 | 761.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.7% |
| 2021 | 789.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 2022 | 801.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 2023 | 819.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 2024 | 818.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
United States compared with similar countries
- United States's 818.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 97.5× the median. (67 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 81.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 71.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 91.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 102.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 94.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 112.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 124.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 113.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 135.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 152.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 139.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 167.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 184.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 172.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 203.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 244.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 208.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 276.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 313.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 288.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 351.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 359.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 319.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 386.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 348.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 317.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 375.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 454.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 385.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 510.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 578.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 519.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 648.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 775.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 670.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 898.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 905.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 890.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 917.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 895.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 876.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 924.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 847.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 809.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 866.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 779.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 757.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 810.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 759.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 733.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 799.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 797.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 761.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 819.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near United States
More climate change data for United States
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 274,482 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 60,922 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 213,560 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 229.89 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 7,627 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 107,381 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 89,068 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 18,313 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 336.11 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 654.05 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in United States?
- Methane emissions in United States was 818.35 million 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 United States?
- The highest recorded value was 924.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1980.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in United States?
- The lowest recorded value was 71.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does United States rank for methane emissions?
- United States ranks 3rd out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in United States?
- Over the last ten years it is up 7.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this United States 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.