Annual greenhouse gas emissions in Australia 2013-2023

As of September 2023, the total volume of greenhouse gas emissions in Australia amounted to approximately 344.6 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. 

Growing emissions in Australia

As of 2021, the biggest source of greenhouse gases in Australia were emissions during the combustion of fossil fuels to generate electricity. Emissions from power generation have declined in recent years, mainly due to the adoption of renewable energy sources like solar or wind power and decreased usage of coal and gas. Unfortunately, the reductions from power generation are expected to be offset by growing emissions from other sectors. Emissions from transportation and stationary energy sources, for example, have grown and accounted for a large share of all emissions. Stationary energy sources refer to energy and manufacturing industries, but not including power generation.

Public opinion on greenhouse gas emissions

According to a survey in 2022, most respondents were worried about the impact of climate change in Australia. The exceptionally disastrous bushfires of early 2020 may have heightened their awareness of the dangers of climate change. The share of Australians who believed in climate change was 80 percent, a large increase over the past decade. Australians’ concern for climate change may to greater support for government action and perhaps reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.