Greenhouse gas emissions
Key Messages
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A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the earth’s atmosphere. Increasing levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere from human activities like burning fossil fuels for electricity and transport, and deforestation, results in changes in the global climate system. Reducing the amount and rate of greenhouse gas emissions is important for the overall health of people and the environment. As part of its commitment under the Paris Agreement, the Australian government has set a 2030 greenhouse reduction target. The Queensland Government has also set targets to reduce greenhouse emissions: 30% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 and a net zero emission target by 2050.
This section provides greenhouse gas emissions estimates for Queensland and emissions trends for the period 1990–2018 for the following sectors: energy; transport; industrial processes; agriculture; land use, land use change and forestry; fugitive emissions; and waste.
State
- Total annual greenhouse gas emissions
Queensland’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2018 were 171.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e) (including the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector) making up 32% of Australia’s total. Queensland's greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 8% between 2005 and 2018.
- Stationary energy sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the stationary energy sector remained Queensland’s largest source of emissions, contributing 77.64 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 45% of total emissions. Emissions increased by 20% between 2005 and 2018, owing to strong growth in mining and exports and long term growth in population and economic activity.
- Transport sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the transport sector contributed 22.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 13% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions increased by 26% between 2005 and 2018, owing to an increase in population and commercial activity, and the importance of motor vehicles as modes of transportation of passengers and freight in Queensland.
- Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the agriculture sector contributed 21.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 12% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions increased by 1% between 2005 and 2018, mainly due to a continued source of emissions associated with beef cattle.
- Land use, land use change and forestry sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, net emissions from the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector contributed 22.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 13% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions from the LULUCF sector decreased 66% between 2005 and 2018. Queensland has been the largest source of this type of emissions in Australia since 1990.
- Industrial processes sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the industrial processes sector contributed 5.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 3% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions increased by 8% between 2005 and 2018 owing mostly to the use of air-conditioning and refrigeration.
- Fugitive emissions sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the fugitive emissions sector contributed 19.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 11% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions increased by 93% between 2005 and 2018 owing to growing coal mining and natural gas production.
- Waste sector greenhouse gas emissions
In 2018, emissions from the waste sector contributed 2.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e), or 2% of Queensland’s total emissions. Emissions increased by 1% between 2005 and 2018, however waste emissions have fallen since 2013 due to increased capture and combustion of landfill gas.
Resources
| National Greenhouse Accounts | The National Greenhouse Accounts are prepared by the Australian Government and includes a series of reports and databases that fulfil Australia’s international reporting requirements using the Australian Greenhouse Emissions Information System (AGEIS). The National Greenhouse Accounts include: the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, National Inventory Report; and the State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories, which provide an overview of the latest available estimates of annual greenhouse gas emissions for the states and territories. |