Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste (Mt CO2e) in North America
North America: Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste (Mt CO2e) was 178.39 Mt CO2e in 2024. ▼ Falling
Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste in North America, 1970–2024
Source: EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research) Community GHG Database, Joint Research Centre (JRC) - European Commission. Measured in Mt CO2e.
Analysis
North America recorded 178.39 Mt CO2e for methane (ch4) emissions from waste in 2024.
The figure is up 0.5% on the previous year and down 3.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane (ch4) emissions from waste in North America peaked at 274.57 Mt CO2e in 1987 and was at its lowest, 177.17 Mt CO2e, in 2022.
North America ranks 22nd of 47 groups on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 55 years of available data.
Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste (Mt CO2e) in North America, year by year
| Year | Mt CO2e | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 225 Mt CO2e | — |
| 1971 | 240.73 Mt CO2e | +7.0% |
| 1972 | 242.95 Mt CO2e | +0.9% |
| 1973 | 244.54 Mt CO2e | +0.7% |
| 1974 | 245.68 Mt CO2e | +0.5% |
| 1975 | 245.77 Mt CO2e | +0.0% |
| 1976 | 249.26 Mt CO2e | +1.4% |
| 1977 | 251.38 Mt CO2e | +0.9% |
| 1978 | 253.42 Mt CO2e | +0.8% |
| 1979 | 255.09 Mt CO2e | +0.7% |
| 1980 | 256.49 Mt CO2e | +0.5% |
| 1981 | 258.79 Mt CO2e | +0.9% |
| 1982 | 260.32 Mt CO2e | +0.6% |
| 1983 | 263.72 Mt CO2e | +1.3% |
| 1984 | 266.33 Mt CO2e | +1.0% |
| 1985 | 268.19 Mt CO2e | +0.7% |
| 1986 | 271.43 Mt CO2e | +1.2% |
| 1987 | 274.57 Mt CO2e | +1.2% |
| 1988 | 269.4 Mt CO2e | -1.9% |
| 1989 | 263.88 Mt CO2e | -2.0% |
| 1990 | 254.76 Mt CO2e | -3.5% |
| 1991 | 257.35 Mt CO2e | +1.0% |
| 1992 | 257.01 Mt CO2e | -0.1% |
| 1993 | 254.95 Mt CO2e | -0.8% |
| 1994 | 256.25 Mt CO2e | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 250.11 Mt CO2e | -2.4% |
| 1996 | 244.98 Mt CO2e | -2.1% |
| 1997 | 234.37 Mt CO2e | -4.3% |
| 1998 | 223.69 Mt CO2e | -4.6% |
| 1999 | 215.87 Mt CO2e | -3.5% |
| 2000 | 212 Mt CO2e | -1.8% |
| 2001 | 206.28 Mt CO2e | -2.7% |
| 2002 | 205.17 Mt CO2e | -0.5% |
| 2003 | 207.76 Mt CO2e | +1.3% |
| 2004 | 206.48 Mt CO2e | -0.6% |
| 2005 | 204.21 Mt CO2e | -1.1% |
| 2006 | 201.59 Mt CO2e | -1.3% |
| 2007 | 199.44 Mt CO2e | -1.1% |
| 2008 | 196.77 Mt CO2e | -1.3% |
| 2009 | 193.03 Mt CO2e | -1.9% |
| 2010 | 194.63 Mt CO2e | +0.8% |
| 2011 | 185.57 Mt CO2e | -4.7% |
| 2012 | 187.47 Mt CO2e | +1.0% |
| 2013 | 184.14 Mt CO2e | -1.8% |
| 2014 | 184.31 Mt CO2e | +0.1% |
| 2015 | 183.09 Mt CO2e | -0.7% |
| 2016 | 180.04 Mt CO2e | -1.7% |
| 2017 | 182 Mt CO2e | +1.1% |
| 2018 | 185.18 Mt CO2e | +1.8% |
| 2019 | 187.75 Mt CO2e | +1.4% |
| 2020 | 182.32 Mt CO2e | -2.9% |
| 2021 | 180.63 Mt CO2e | -0.9% |
| 2022 | 177.17 Mt CO2e | -1.9% |
| 2023 | 177.45 Mt CO2e | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 178.39 Mt CO2e | +0.5% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 245.38 Mt CO2e | 225 Mt CO2e | 255.09 Mt CO2e | 10 |
| 1980s | 265.31 Mt CO2e | 256.49 Mt CO2e | 274.57 Mt CO2e | 10 |
| 1990s | 244.93 Mt CO2e | 215.87 Mt CO2e | 257.35 Mt CO2e | 10 |
| 2000s | 203.27 Mt CO2e | 193.03 Mt CO2e | 212 Mt CO2e | 10 |
| 2010s | 185.42 Mt CO2e | 180.04 Mt CO2e | 194.63 Mt CO2e | 10 |
| 2020s | 179.19 Mt CO2e | 177.17 Mt CO2e | 182.32 Mt CO2e | 5 |
Countries ranked near North America
More environment data for North America
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per unit 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) (Mt CO2e), annual 0.2645 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions (total) excluding LULUCF (Mt CO2e) -0.0596 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Processes (Mt CO2e) 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Processes (Mt CO2e) 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Processes (Mt CO2e) -1.7 % change on previous year (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) (Mt) 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Industrial Combustion (Energy) (Mt) 0 Mt CO2e per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from Fugitive Emissions (Energy) (Mt) 3 % change on previous year (2024)
- Methane (CH4) emissions from Transport (Energy) (Mt CO2e), per capita 0 Mt CO2e per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane (ch4) emissions from waste in North America?
- Methane (ch4) emissions from waste in North America was 178.39 Mt CO2e in 2024, according to EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research) Community GHG Database, Joint Research Centre (JRC) - European Commission.
- What is the highest methane (ch4) emissions from waste recorded in North America?
- The highest recorded value was 274.57 Mt CO2e in 1987.
- What is the lowest methane (ch4) emissions from waste recorded in North America?
- The lowest recorded value was 177.17 Mt CO2e in 2022.
- How does North America rank for methane (ch4) emissions from waste?
- North America ranks 22nd out of 47 groups with data for 2024.
- Is methane (ch4) emissions from waste rising or falling in North America?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this North America data come from?
- The figures come from EDGAR (Emissions Database for Global Atmospheric Research) Community GHG Database, Joint Research Centre (JRC) - European Commission, published as part of Methane (CH4) emissions from Waste (Mt CO2e). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
A measure of annual emissions of methane (CH4), one of the six Kyoto greenhouse gases (GHG), from the waste sector. This includes emissions from solid waste (IPCC 2006 codes 4.A Solid Waste Disposal, 4.B Biological Treatment of Solid Waste, 4.C Incineration and Open Burning of Waste) and wastewater treatment (IPCC 2006 code 4.D Wastewater Treatment and Discharge). The measure is standardized to carbon dioxide equivalent values using the Global Warming Potential (GWP) factors of IPCC's 5th Assessment Report (AR5).