In 1990, Queensland’s total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 184.7 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), including emissions from the land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector.

Emissions peaked in 2006 at 204.6 MtCO₂e and then steadily declined.

Highest emitting sectors

In 2022, Queensland’s highest emitting sectors were:

• Public electricity (36.2% or 45 MtCO₂e)
• Stationary energy (20.8% or 25.8MtCO₂e)
• Transport (17.3% or 21.5 MtCO₂e)
• Agriculture (16.9% or 21 MtCO₂e)
• Fugitive emissions (14.6% or 18.2 MtCO₂e).

Total Queensland emissions

In 2022, Queensland’s total emissions were 124.1 MtCO₂e.

• This total represents an overall fall of 35% (67.8 MtCO₂e) between 2005 and 2022.
• The primary driver of this reduction was the LULUCF sector. Its emissions have reduced by 124.1% or 82.1 MtCO₂e since 2005 levels. Total emissions from all other sources (excluding LULUCF) increased 11% between 2005 and 2022.

Emission drivers

The gradual increase in non-LULUCF sectors is a reflection of increases in:

• economic activity, including resource extraction and fuel production
• population
• the number of vehicles in operation
• electricity demand, with electricity primarily generated by the combustion of black coal.

The energy sectors (including public electricity and stationary energy), fugitive emissions, transport and agriculture drove the increases. Emissions from industrial processes and waste remained relatively consistent over the period.

In comparison with other states and territories

• In 2022, Queensland contributed more emissions than any other Australian state and territory, responsible for 28.7% of the nation’s total of 432.6 MtCO₂e.
• On a per capita basis, Queensland is the third highest emitting jurisdiction (23.3 tCO₂e per person) behind the Northern Territory (66.9 tCO₂e per person) and Western Australia (29.6tCO₂e per person) and above the national average (16.3 tCO₂e per person). However, since 2005, Queensland has reduced its emissions more than any other state or territory. This corresponds to a 35% reduction since 2005, the third highest after South Australia and Tasmania.

The Australian Government calculates Queensland’s GHG emissions as part of its National Greenhouse Accounts and National Inventory Report to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.