Industrial processes emissions are by-products of processes that convert raw materials to chemical, mineral or metal products like cement, fertilisers and explosives. They also result from the release of synthetic gases, such as those used in refrigeration and air conditioning.

Emissions were 5.8 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2022, representing 4.7% of Queensland’s total emissions.

• In 1990, emissions were 3.3 MtCO₂e.
• In 2005, emissions were 5.1 MtCO₂e.

Most of Queensland's industrial process emissions are from:

• products used as ozone-depleting substitutes (39.2%)
• the minerals industry (21.5%)
• the chemicals industry (21.7%)

Fluorinated gases

Fluorinated gases (F-gases) are products that have substituted ozone-depleting substances banned under the Montreal Protocol and have a global warming potential many thousands of times higher than carbon dioxide.

F-gases emissions have increased significantly from 0.7 MtCO₂e in 2005 to 2.3 MtCO₂e in 2022. Contributors to F-gases emissions are:

• stationary air-conditioning (11%)
• commercial refrigeration (14%)
• mobile air-conditioning in vehicles (4%)
• transport refrigeration (2%).

These increases are linked to population growth and economic activity and the inadequate thermal efficiency of new buildings due to the slow advancement of energy efficiency standards, contributing to increased demand for air conditioning and refrigeration products.

Achieving net zero emissions

Industrial process emissions are considered hard to abate as these emissions are typically due to chemical processes inherent to the production of the product. Without advancements in production technology or the use of alternatives, this sector may rely more heavily on carbon capture, use and storage technologies, or offsets than other sectors in its contribution to achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Queensland has the second-highest share of emissions from industrial processes (5.8 MtCO₂-e), behind New South Wales (13.1 MtCO₂-e).