Live estimate

Australia CO₂ Emissions

Australia emitted 386.7 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024: 1.0% of the world total, the 16th most of 213 countries. That is 14.5 tonnes per person, 3.1× the world average of 4.7 t.

Estimated CO₂ emitted by Australia in 2026 so far

0 tonnes since you opened this page · 12 t every second

CO₂ in 2024

386.7 Mt

386.7 million tonnes

World rank

#16

of 213 countries

Share of world

1.0%

world total 38.6 Gt

Per person

14.5 t

world average 4.7 t

Change vs 2023

+0.6%

2023: 384.3 Mt

Historical share

1.1%

#17 since 1750

Trend since 2000

Emissions rose 0.6% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 0%. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 414.9 million tonnes and are now 7% lower.

200400600

Million tonnes of CO₂ a year

Show yearly data (million tonnes)

Year	CO₂ (Mt)
2024	386.7
2023	384.3
2022	384.1
2021	388.5
2020	398.5
2019	414.9
2018	414.8
2017	413.4
2016	409.7
2015	400.6
2014	392.6
2013	397.9
2012	405.0
2011	403.9
2010	405.0
2009	407.0
2008	404.3
2007	398.9
2006	391.4
2005	385.1
2004	382.0
2003	370.8
2002	362.4
2001	357.7
2000	349.9

Where it comes from

Oil is the largest source of Australia’s CO₂, at 38%.

Coal37%142 Mt
Oil38%146 Mt
Gas19%75.4 Mt
Cement1%2.7 Mt
Flaring4%16.3 Mt
Other industry1%4.0 Mt

Australia in context

0.33% vs 1.0%

Share of people vs share of CO₂

Australia is home to 0.33% of the world’s population and produces 1.0% of its fossil CO₂, so its share of emissions is larger than its share of people.

+39%

Change since 1990

Emissions in 2024 were 39% higher than in 1990, the baseline year of the Kyoto Protocol (278.1 Mt then). World emissions rose 70% over the same period.

372 Mt

Consumption-based CO₂ (2023)

Counting the CO₂ in goods it imports and exports, Australia was responsible for 372.2 Mt in 2023, 3% less than the 384.3 Mt produced at home: part of its output is consumed elsewhere.

231 g

CO₂ per kWh of energy

Each kilowatt-hour of primary energy used in Australia came with about 231 g of CO₂ in 2024 (world: 218 g), pointing to an energy mix close to the world average.

0.29 kg

CO₂ per dollar of GDP

Its economy emitted 0.29 kg of CO₂ for each dollar of output in 2022 (adjusted for purchasing power), close to the world average of 0.29 kg.

Figures from Our World in Data, based on the Global Carbon Project; latest year available for each measure.

How Australia compares

Rank	Country	CO₂ 2024	Share	Per person
14	Mexico	461.0 Mt	1.2%	3.5 t
15	South Africa	439.8 Mt	1.1%	6.9 t
16	Australia	386.7 Mt	1.0%	14.5 t
17	Vietnam	370.9 Mt	1.0%	3.7 t
18	United Kingdom	312.9 Mt	0.8%	4.5 t

See all 213 countries → · Global live counter →

Questions and answers

How much CO₂ does Australia emit?

Australia emitted 386.7 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024, 1.0% of global emissions. That is about 12 tonnes every second.

What are Australia’s CO₂ emissions per person?

Australia emits 14.5 tonnes per person, 3.1× the world average of 4.7 t. Per-person emissions divide the national total by population (26.7 million people in 2024).

Are Australia’s CO₂ emissions rising or falling?

Emissions rose 0.6% in 2024 compared with 2023. Compared with 2005, emissions are up 0%. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 414.9 million tonnes and are now 7% lower.

What is the main source of CO₂ emissions in Australia?

Oil is the largest source, at 38% of Australia’s fossil and industry CO₂ in 2024 (145.8 million tonnes).

What are Australia’s consumption-based CO₂ emissions?

About 372.2 million tonnes in 2023, 3% less than the 384.3 million tonnes emitted within its borders, because part of what it produces is exported and consumed in other countries. Consumption-based accounting adds the emissions embodied in imports and subtracts those in exports.

How much has Australia contributed to historical CO₂ emissions?

Since 1750, Australia has emitted about 20 billion tonnes of fossil CO₂, 1.1% of the world total, the 17th largest historical contribution.