Queensland’s agricultural sector emissions are mainly from farming livestock, particularly the associated methane emissions. The level of emissions varies in response to climatic and market conditions.
In 2022, emissions were 21 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO2e). This figure represents 16.9% of Queensland’s total emissions. The long-term trend indicates a slight decrease (6.7%) between 2005 and 2022 in emissions.
- In 1990, emissions were 21.5 MtCO2e.
- In 2005, emissions were 22.5 MtCO2e.
In 2022, Queensland generated the most agricultural emissions in Australia, followed by the Northern Territory.
- The main sources of these agricultural emissions were enteric fermentation (emissions from cattle, sheep and goats), responsible for 78.3% or 16.4 MtCO2e.
This sector’s other emission sources were:
- manure management (11.5%)
- disturbance (e.g. tilling) of agricultural soils (8.7%)
- application of urea as a fertiliser, liming and crop residues (1.5%).
Due to drought conditions, emissions from the agricultural sector were at their lowest levels in 2020 since 1990 but have since increased. The increase reflects strong agricultural output after three consecutive La Niña events.
