Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions

Key Finding

Queensland’s agriculture sector greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are largely from farming livestock, particularly the associated methane emissions, and from growing crops. The level of emissions varies in response to climatic and market conditions.

Emissions were 21.2 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2018. This represents 12% of Queensland’s total emissions and the long-term trend indicates a slow increase (1% between 2005 and 2018) in emissions.

• This compares with 19.9 MtCO₂e in 1990.
• In 2005, emissions were 21.0 MtCO₂e.

In 2018, Queensland generated the most agricultural GHG emissions in Australia.

• 75% (15.9 MtCO₂e) was due to methane emissions from enteric fermentation in ruminant animals such as cattle, sheep, and goats.
• Beef cattle were responsible for 97% or 15.5 MtCO₂e of these emissions.
• Emissions from sheep fell by 54% or 0.32 MtCO₂e since 2005 levels resulting from lower stock numbers under dryer conditions.

This sector’s other emission sources were:

• manure management (12%)
• carbon emissions released from the tilling of soils (11%)
• application of urea as a fertiliser (1%).

Emissions from field burning of agricultural residues decreased by 15% over the period from 2005 to 2018, most likely due to the decline of sugar cane burning.

More information:

• State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventory – 2018

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets

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