Queensland’s greenhouse gas emissions and targets

In addition to the new interim emissions reduction target of 75% below 2005 levels by 2035, Queensland has committed to achieving net zero emissions by 2050 (with an existing interim target to reduce emissions by 30% below 2005 levels by 2030).

Information on Queensland greenhouse gas emissions is sourced from the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. This section provides a snapshot of Queensland’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, greenhouse gas emissions by sector, and progress towards our 2030 target.

Queensland’s 2021 net greenhouse gas emissions were 139.7 MtCO₂-e*
Sector Emissions (MtCO2-e)
Public electricity (33.6%) 46.9
Stationary and industrial energy (18.3%) 25.5
Transport (15.6%) 21.8
Agriculture (14.8%) 20.7
Fugitive emissions (14.6%) 20.4
Industrial processes (4.2%) 5.8
Waste (2.2%) 3.1
Land use, land-use change and forestry (-3.2%) -4.5

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

Total Queensland annual emissions from 2005–2021, and 2030 emissions reduction target
Year Total emissions
2005 195.985
2006 196.819
2007 193.120
2008 193.787
2009 185.259
2010 183.979
2011 179.171
2012 171.871
2013 169.854
2014 169.695
2015 167.609
2016 157.768
2017 162.261
2018 169.796
2019 158.407
2020 154.001
2021 139.665

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

  • The dotted line represents Queensland’s emission reduction target of at least 30% below 2005 levels by 2030. Queensland’s 2021 emissions were 29% below 2005 levels, which places Queensland within reach of the 2030 target.
  • To achieve Queensland’s 30% below 2005 levels by 2030 target, the abatement task from current 2021 levels is 2.5 MtCO₂-e.
Total Queensland annual emissions by sector from 2005–2021
Sector Public electricityTransportFugitive Stationary and industrial energy Industrial processesAgriculture Land use, land use change and forestryWaste
2005 47.551 17.857 12.994 17.006 5.081 22.604 70.086 2.806
2006 49.845 18.194 12.496 17.126 4.698 22.119 69.605 2.736
2007 50.067 18.916 13.652 17.261 5.027 22.120 63.015 3.063
2008 49.479 19.196 13.991 17.889 5.471 22.235 62.306 3.220
2009 50.706 19.650 14.269 17.203 5.460 23.220 51.320 3.430
2010 49.184 19.847 16.143 17.582 5.635 21.216 51.033 3.340
2011 46.541 20.258 14.740 17.914 5.425 23.656 47.165 3.472
2012 46.666 21.039 16.067 18.917 5.530 22.896 37.776 2.980
2013 44.764 21.158 16.862 20.470 5.062 23.726 34.604 3.207
2014 42.708 21.000 16.062 20.666 5.361 23.968 36.904 3.026
2015 48.232 21.183 19.398 20.999 5.385 21.461 27.885 3.065
2016 50.159 22.223 20.293 22.012 5.328 21.022 13.623 3.109
2017 51.156 22.316 19.870 23.915 5.135 21.356 15.557 2.955
2018 53.146 23.655 21.265 25.091 5.405 22.737 15.410 3.087
2019 51.701 23.581 20.218 24.990 5.989 21.511 7.280 3.137
2020 49.439 22.050 21.639 25.196 5.766 19.940 6.632 3.338
2021 46.944 21.761 20.395 25.530 5.808 20.650 -4.519 3.097

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions by subsector
Sub sector Emissions (MtCO₂-e)
Forest land -15.7828580089191
Cropland 1.82989486896789
Grassland 8.91291003412733
Wetland 0.0407709582804276
Settlements 1.24409032965739
Harvested wood products -0.763896459467292

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

  • Queensland LULUCF emissions in 2021 were -4.5 MtCO₂-e. This has reduced total 2021 emissions by over 3%.
  • Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) is made up of six subsectors comprising both greenhouse gas emissions and removals.
  • In 2021, Queensland’s emissions from grasslands contributed 8.9 MtCO₂-e, the largest subsector contribution of Queensland’s LULUCF emissions. The grassland category comprises emissions and removals from grassland that remains grassland and forest land and wetlands converted to grassland.
  • In 2021, emissions from wetlands contributed 0.04 MtCO₂-e, emissions from croplands contributed 1.8 MtCO₂-e, and emissions settlements contributed 1.2 MtCO₂-e.
  • In 2021, forest land and harvested wood products were a source of sequestration, representing a removal of 15.8 MtCO₂-e and 0.8 MtCO₂-e respectively.
  • Forest land comprises emissions and sequestration from forest land remaining forest land and land converted to forest land. Forest land remaining forest land includes plantations, harvested native forests and other native forests. Emissions from fuelwood consumption and biomass burning in forests (controlled burning and wildfire) are also included as is the sequestration associated with post-fire recovery. Land converted to forest land includes grassland, croplands, settlements and wetlands (tidal marsh) on which forest is identified to emerge.
  • Cropland comprises emissions and sequestration from cropland remaining cropland and forest land and wetlands converted to cropland.
  • Grassland comprises emissions and sequestration from grassland remaining grassland and forest land and wetlands converted to grassland.
  • Wetland comprises emissions and sequestration from wetlands remaining wetlands and forest land converted to wetlands. Wetlands remaining wetlands estimates represent nitrous oxides emissions from aquaculture use in tidal wetlands, net CO₂ emissions from removal of seagrass due to capital dredging and net emissions due to human-induced changes in the area of sparse woody vegetation.
  • Settlements comprises emissions and sequestration from settlements remaining settlements and forest land and wetlands converted to settlements.
  • Harvested wood products is represented as a sink as most timber is used for example, in the construction industry in the form of buildings and furniture, where it often stays for decades.
Waste emissions by subsector
Sub sector Emissions (MtCO₂-e)
Solid waste disposal 2.344
Biological treatment of solid waste 0.057
Incineration and open burning of waste 0.007
Waste water treatment and discharge 0.688

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

  • Queensland waste emissions in 2021 were 3.1 MtCO₂-e or 2.2% of Queensland’s total greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Queensland’s waste sector greenhouse gas emissions come from four key subsectors including solid waste disposal, biological treatment of solid waste, incineration and open burning of waste, and waste water treatment and discharge.
  • Landfill (solid waste disposal) is the largest source of waste-related emissions at just under 76% of the sectors total emissions in 2021.
  • Approximately 22% of waste sector emissions come from waste water treatment and discharge while a very small contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is made by the treatment of solid waste.
  • Treatment of solid waste and incineration produces a very small contribution to greenhouse gas emissions in the sector.
Agriculture emissions by subsector
Sub sector Emissions (MtCO₂-e)
Enteric fermentation 15.909
Manure management 2.300
Rice cultivation 0.003
Agricultural soils 2.155
Field burning of agricultural residues 0.037
Liming 0.038
Urea application 0.209

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

  • Queensland agriculture emissions in 2021 were 20.7 MtCO₂-e or 14.8% of Queensland’s total 2021 greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Emissions from agriculture include enteric fermentation; manure management; rice cultivation; agricultural soils; field burning of agricultural residues; liming and the application of urea as a fertiliser.
  • The largest source of Queensland’s agriculture emissions is enteric fermentation representing 78% of the sector’s total emissions. This is primarily due to methane emissions produced from Queensland’s large livestock numbers including beef cattle and sheep.
  • Manure management and agricultural soils are the next largest sources of agriculture emissions in Queensland representing around 11% and 10% respectively.
  • Greenhouse gas emissions from rice cultivation, field burning of agricultural residues, liming and urea application are low, collectively representing 1.4% of Queensland’s agricultural emissions.
Industrial processes emissions by subsector
Sub sector Emissions (MtCO₂-e)
Mineral industry 1.28858313863103
Chemical industry 1.24357311886366
Non-energy products from fuels and solvent use 0.042472823725
Product uses as ODS substitutes 2.33053515108098
Other product manufacture and use 0.0331762647601102
Other 0.86952454315521

Source: National Greenhouse Accounts 2021

  • Queensland industrial process emissions in 2021 were 5.8 MtCO₂-e or 4.2% of Queensland’s total 2021 greenhouse gas emissions.
  • Industrial processes involve activities from a range of production processes such as the mineral industry, through cement and glass production and chemical industry.
  • This sector also includes refrigeration and air conditioning. Greenhouse gas emissions from halocarbons, a replacement for ozone-depleting substances used in refrigeration and air-conditioning, have increased significantly representing 40% of the greenhouse gas emissions produced by Industrial processes in 2021.
  • Emissions from six subsectors make up Queensland’s industrial processes including mineral industry (22%), non-energy products from fuels and solvent use (1%), chemical industry (21%), Product uses as ozone depleting substances (ODS) substitutes (40%), other product manufacture and use (0.6%), and other (15%).