Québec, November 18, 2025. – The Institut de la statistique du Québec is publishing updated data on the carbon footprint of Québec households and society. This update makes it possible to track changes in the carbon footprint over 5 years and to find out if it was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Data on the carbon footprint of Québec exports have also been updated.
The carbon footprint of Québec society
In Québec, in 2021, the carbon footprint of Québec society overall was up 7% from 2017 to 114 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (Mt CO2 eq.), which is equivalent to 13.2 tonnes per capita.
This increase was mostly due to a higher carbon footprint associated with investments in construction, which grew from 12 Mt CO2 eq. to 18 Mt CO2 eq.
Carbon footprint of Québec society, 2017 to 2021
NPI: Non-profit institution.
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec.
The carbon footprint of households
In 2021, the carbon footprint of households stood at 76 Mt CO2 eq., or 8.8 tonnes per capita. This footprint is broken down according to ten expense categories, including the two largest: Energy and fuel and Food and drink.
Between 2017 and 2021, the carbon footprint of households expressed per capita declined by 4% as the population increased by 3%.
Per capita carbon footprint of households, by category of goods and services, 2021
Source
Institut de la statistique du Québec.
In addition to data by expense category, the update provides data on:
- Carbon footprint by location of emissions, whether in Québec, elsewhere in Canada, or outside Canada (a few countries are shown).
- Carbon footprint per dollar spent.
- Carbon footprint according to the industries that produce GHG emissions.
Methodology and data source
The carbon footprint is the total quantity of GHGs emitted by the activities aimed at meeting the demand for goods or services. The carbon footprint assigns GHG emissions to the end consumers of goods or services, regardless of where GHGs were emitted and who generated them. It takes into account all emissions from the production and marketing of goods and services.
Carbon footprint estimates are based on data from the GHG emissions account (February or December 2024 edition), on a database from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development on the CO2 content of international trade (2024 edition), and on results from the Québec input-output model (PDF). This model is based on Statistics Canada’s Supply and Use Tables. A “Canada outside Québec” version of this model was developed for the purposes of the analysis.
The methodological approach is described in the document Concepts et méthodologie (PDF), which has also been updated.
Source: Institut de la statistique du Québec.
Cautionary note
The 2021 data are preliminary, as international GHG emissions were estimated based on intensity by industry for 2020 in the absence of more recent data.
To learn more
- Carbon footprint of Québec households
- Carbon footprint of Québec exports
- Carbon footprint of Québec society
The Institut de la statistique du Québec produces, analyzes and disseminates official, objective and quality statistical information on various aspects of Québec society. It is responsible for conducting all statistical surveys of general interest. The relevance of its work makes it a strategic ally for decision makers and an essential source of information for all those wishing to learn more about Québec.