Greenhouse gas emissions

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Key messages

Understanding greenhouse gas emissions

A greenhouse gas is a gas that traps heat in the atmosphere, causing climate change. Activities such as burning fossil fuels for electricity, heat and transportation are a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. Mitigating the effects of climate change by reducing emissions is important for the overall health of the environment. Both the Queensland and Australian governments have committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Monitoring emissions provides total greenhouse gas emissions data for Queensland and a breakdown of emissions from the following sectors: energy; transport; industrial processes; agriculture; land use, land use change and forestry; fugitives; and waste.

Key findings

State

Total annual greenhouse gas emissions

While Queensland's greenhouse gas emissions have decreased by 18% between 2005 and 2014, the state was the largest source of emissions in 2014 of all Australian jurisdictions.

Stationary energy sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the stationary energy sector decreased by 1% between 2005 and 2014 but it continues to be the highest source of Queensland's emissions at 44% of total emissions.

Transport sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the transport sector have increased 18% between 2005 and 2014. Road transport including passenger cars was the main source of emissions.

Agriculture sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the agriculture sector have increased 6% between 2005 and 2014 mainly due to an increase in livestock numbers.

Land use, land use change and forestry sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the land sector have decreased 69% between 2005 and 2014, however Queensland is the largest source of this type of emission in Australia.

Industrial processes sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the industrial processes sector increased 11% between 2005 and 2014 due largely to increased use of replacements for ozone-depleting substances.

Fugitive emissions sector greenhouse gas emissions

Total fugitive emissions increased 38% between 2005 and 2014 in line with increasing coal and gas production.

Waste sector greenhouse gas emissions

Emissions from the waste sector increased 15% between 2005 and 2014, however waste emissions have fallen since 2011 due to increased capture and combustion of landfill gas.

Programs

The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI)

The compilation of Australia’s emissions data—called the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI)—is undertaken centrally by the Department of the Environment using the Australian Greenhouse Emissions Information System (AGEIS). The State and Territory Greenhouse Gas Inventories provide an overview of the latest available estimates of annual greenhouse gas emissions for Australia’s States and Territories including Queensland.