Global nitrous oxide emissions 1990-2023

Global nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions reached a high of roughly three billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (GtCO₂e) in 2023. Emissions of N₂O - which has a far greater warming potential than CO₂ - have increased by more than 30 percent since 1990. China is the world's largest emitter of nitrous oxide, followed by India and the United States.

Annual nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions worldwide from 1990 to 2023 (in million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent)

Characteristic	Emissions in MtCO₂e
2023	2,996
2022	2,976
2021	2,950
2020	2,910
2019	2,870
2018	2,885
2017	2,889
2016	2,832
2015	2,817
2014	2,811
2013	2,777
2012	2,795
2011	2,767
2010	2,671
2009	2,609
2008	2,640
2007	2,672
2006	2,597
2005	2,558
2004	2,534
2003	2,452
2002	2,436
2001	2,404
2000	2,401
1999	2,412
1998	2,401
1997	2,374
1996	2,408
1995	2,359
1994	2,296
1993	2,259
1992	2,273
1991	2,256
1990	2,275

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Release date

2024

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Region

Worldwide

Survey time period

1990 to 2023

Supplementary notes

Figures have been rounded.
N₂O emissions have been converted to carbon-dioxide equivalents over a 100-year timescale using a conversion factor of 273 (as per the IPCC AR6 report).

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