1. Overview

Australia produces greenhouse emissions through the use of energy including electricity production and transport as well as agriculture, land clearing and waste disposal. Of the greenhouse gases emitted in Australia, carbon dioxide is the most significant, though methane emitted from livestock, agricultural activities and industrial processes, and nitrous oxide, also make a significant contribution.

Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions across all sectors totalled 559.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO₂-e) in 2005 under the accounting provisions applying to Australia’s 108% emissions target.

While Australia’s share of world emissions was 1½ per cent in 2005, Australia has the world’s highest greenhouse gas emissions per person at 26.7 t CO₂ equivalent (CO₂-e).