Current Situation

Last update: 6 June 2024

Emissions profile

Algeria’s emissions reached 277 MtCO₂e in 2019 (excluding LULUCF).¹ The energy sector is responsible for 82% of Algeria’s emissions, with fugitive emissions from fossil fuel production accounting for almost one-third of overall emissions. The transport and power sectors are also significant contributors to Algeria’s carbon emissions due to the heavy shares of oil and gas in their respective mixes.

Algeria’s production of oil and gas is among the most emissions-intensive in the world, explaining why fugitive emissions account for such a large share of Algeria’s emissions profile.²^,³ Although in 2018 Algeria’s national oil company committed to phase out routine gas flaring by 2030, its flaring intensity remains four times higher than the global average.⁴

Graph description

Historical emissions per gas and per sector.

Data References
- UNFCCC National Inventory Submissions 2023

Energy overview and main policy gaps

In 2021, Algeria’s energy mix was dominated by fossil fuels, which effectively supplied all of the country’s energy. Fossil gas supplied two-thirds, while one-third was met by oil. A tiny fraction (less than 0.1%) was met by wind, solar and hydro.⁵

Fossil fuel production is integral to Algeria’s economy; the hydrocarbon sector represents 19% of GDP and 93% of product exports.⁶ Indeed, the Algerian government continues to expand fossil gas production and is positioning itself as a major supplier to Europe, particularly as Europe weans itself off Russian gas.⁷ Given the European Commission’s ambition to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels, however, Algeria risks saddling itself with gas infrastructure at risk of becoming stranded assets in the medium and long term.⁸

Algeria holds abundant wind and solar potential; 80% of Algeria’s landmass is desert with high levels of solar irradiance, and the country has a 1300 kilometre coastline which could be harnessed for wind energy.⁹ The government aims to add 22 GW of renewable capacity by 2030 of which 13.5 GW will come from solar.¹⁰ Tenders for large scale projects are taking place, and strategic partnerships have been made with countries such as the US, China and Germany.¹¹

Economy-Wide Targets

Unconditional target in 2015 NDC:

As expressed by the country:

Reduce GHG emissions by 7% compared to business-as-usual scenario by 2030.¹²

When excluding LULUCF, Algeria’s unconditional NDC translates to 291-351 MtCO₂e/yr or 15-38% above 2015 levels by 2030

Conditional target in 2015 NDC:

As expressed by the country:

Reduce GHG emissions by 22% compared to business-as-usual scenario by 2030.¹³

When excluding LULUCF, Algeria’s conditional NDC translates to 244-315 MtCO₂e/yr or 4% below to 24% above 2015 levels by 2030

Sector Coverage:

Agriculture, Waste, Industry (processes), Energy, LULUCF

Long-term target:

As of February 2024, Algeria does not have a net zero GHG emissions target, nor has it submitted a long-term strategy to the UNFCCC

Johannes Gütschow and Mika Pflüger, “The PRIMAP-Hist National Historical Emissions Time Series (1750-2021) v2.4.2” (zenodo, March 2023), ; IEA, “World Energy Balances 2023” (IEA, 2023), https://www.iea.org/data-and-statistics/data-product/world-energy-balances ↩
Mohammad S. Masnadi et al., “Global Carbon Intensity of Crude Oil Production,” Science 361, no. 6405 (August 31, 2018): 851–53 ↩
IEA, “Oil and Gas Methane Emissions and Methane Intensity of Production in Selected Countries, 2022,” Global Methane Tracker 2023, February 21, 2023 ↩
James Turrito, “Europe’s New Gas Deals Should Prioritize Wasted Methane,” Clean Air Task Force, May 17, 2022 ↩
IEA, “Algeria - Countries & Regions,” IEA, 2023 ↩
World Bank, “The World Bank in Algeria,” Text/HTML, World Bank, 2023 ↩
AfricaNews, “Algeria Is in the Spotlight as Leaders of Gas Producing Countries Convene for Summit,” AfricaNews, February 29, 2024 ↩
European Commission, “2040 Climate Target,” European Commission, 2024, ; European Commission, “EU Negotiators Secure Agreement at COP28 to Accelerate the Global Transition Away from Fossil Fuels and Triple Renewables and Double Energy Efficiency This Decade,” Text, European Commission, 2023, https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/ip_23_6591 ↩
International Trade Administration, “Algeria - Country Commercial Guide” (U.S. Department of Commerce, 2023) ↩
Mohan Gupta, “Unleashing Solar Potential: Insights Into Algeria’s Solar Market Outlook For 2023,” SolarQuarter, July 7, 2023 ↩
International Trade Administration, “Algeria - Country Commercial Guide”; Renewables Now, “Algeria Opens Bids in 2-GW Solar Tender,” Renewables Now, 2023, ; U.S. Embassy in Algeria, “U.S. – Algerian Partnership to Develop Algeria’s Power Grid,” U.S. Embassy in Algeria, December 11, 2022, https://dz.usembassy.gov/u-s-algerian-partnership-to-develop-algerias-power-grid/ ↩
République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire, “Contribution Prévue Déterminée Au Niveau National CPDN – ALGERIE” (République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire, 2015). ↩
République Algérienne Démocratique et Populaire, “Contribution Prévue Déterminée Au Niveau National CPDN – ALGERIE.” ↩

What is Algeria's pathway to limit global warming to 1.5°C?

Emissions profile

Algeria's 2019 GHG emissions

excluding LULUCF MtCO₂e/yr

Energy overview and main policy gaps

Economy-Wide Targets

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