- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year.
Australia Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 440.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022. The Energy & Process GHG Emissions dataset of Australia from 2015 to 2023 provides a comprehensive overview of the country’s greenhouse gas emission profile, highlighting emission trends, industrial activities, and energy-related emission patterns throughout the review period.
Australia Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 466.8 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 440.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−5.7%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 472.2 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 429.9 Million Tonnes in 2021.
The gap between the series high (2019) and low (2021) is 42.30 Million Tonnes. The sharpest single-year move was −6.7% in 2020.
Among the 36 countries in this dataset, Australia ranks 15 for 2023, behind China (12,604 Million Tonnes) and U.S. (5,130 Million Tonnes). It accounts for 1.1% of the global total in 2023.
Full series
Complete annual series with year-on-year change. Values are reported in Million Tonnes.
Scroll the table sideways to see all columns.
| Year | Million Tonnes | Change vs prior year |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 440.4 | +0.6% |
| 2022 | 437.6 | +1.8% |
| 2021 Trough | 429.9 | −2.4% |
| 2020 | 440.6 | −6.7% |
| 2019Peak | 472.2 | +2.1% |
| 2018 | 462.7 | −0.3% |
| 2017 | 464.1 | 0% |
| 2016 | 464.2 | −0.6% |
| 2015 | 466.8 | — |
Regional context
Energy & Process GHG Emissions by country, 2023, Million Tonnes. Australia is highlighted.
Data definition
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time.
The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
Energy & Process GHG Emissions — - Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Measured in million tonnes, the dataset reflects greenhouse gas emissions generated from energy production, fuel combustion, and industrial processes, making it an important indicator of environmental performance, industrial development, energy demand, and progress toward climate and sustainability objectives.
Australia recorded **466.80 million tonnes** of energy and process greenhouse gas emissions in 2015, followed by **464.20 million tonnes** in 2016 and **464.10 million tonnes** in 2017, indicating relatively stable emission levels. Emissions declined slightly to **462.70 million tonnes** in 2018 before increasing to **472.20 million tonnes** in 2019, the highest level recorded during the review period. In 2020, emissions decreased significantly to **440.60 million tonnes** as reduced economic activity and lower energy demand affected industrial output. Emissions declined further to **429.90 million tonnes** in 2021 before recovering moderately to **437.60 million tonnes** in 2022 and **440.40 million tonnes** in 2023, remaining below pre-pandemic levels.
Overall, the dataset demonstrates a relatively stable long-term greenhouse gas emission profile with moderate fluctuations driven by changing economic conditions and energy demand. Although emissions recovered after the pandemic, they remained below the 2019 peak, reflecting ongoing improvements in energy efficiency, cleaner energy deployment, and lower carbon intensity across major sectors.
The dataset is a valuable resource for monitoring national greenhouse gas performance, evaluating industrial and energy-sector emissions, supporting sustainability assessments, and measuring progress toward decarbonization objectives. It also enables policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders to benchmark emission trends, assess climate policies, forecast future emissions, and formulate effective strategies for sustainable economic development.
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Definition- Energy & Process GHG Emissions refer to the total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions generated from energy-related activities and industrial processes within a given year. The indicator is typically expressed in million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) and combines emissions from fossil fuel combustion, industrial energy use, and process-related activities into a single measure using global warming potential (GWP) factors. It provides a comprehensive assessment of emissions associated with energy production, energy consumption, and industrial manufacturing, making it a key indicator for evaluating a country's environmental impact, industrial development, and progress toward climate mitigation objectives.
Australia Energy & Process GHG Emissions was 440.4 Million Tonnes in 2023, up 0.6% on 2022.
Australia Energy & Process GHG Emissions moved from 466.8 Million Tonnes in 2015 to 440.4 Million Tonnes in 2023 (−5.7%), an average of −0.7% a year. The series high was 472.2 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the low 429.9 Million Tonnes in 2021.
The highest value was 472.2 Million Tonnes in 2019 and the lowest was 429.9 Million Tonnes in 2021.
Included: The data includes greenhouse gas emissions from the combustion of fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas across all major sectors, including electricity and heat generation, manufacturing, transportation, residential, commercial, and other energy-consuming activities. It also includes emissions from industrial processes that are not directly related to fuel combustion, such as cement production, lime manufacturing, chemical production, metal processing, and other process-related industrial activities. The indicator incorporates major greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O), and, where applicable, fluorinated gases, expressed as carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂e) using internationally recognized global warming potential factors. Data is compiled using standardized international methodologies to ensure consistent reporting and comparability across countries and over time. Excluded: The data excludes greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF), waste management, and other non-energy sectors unless explicitly included within the reporting methodology. It does not account for carbon removals through forests, carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), or other negative emission technologies. The indicator excludes indirect emissions embodied in imported goods and services and does not measure sector-specific emission intensity, per capita emissions, or energy efficiency. Variations in national reporting practices, industrial classifications, emission factors, and estimation methodologies may result in minor differences in reported values across countries.
The series is sourced from energyinst.org (https://www.energyinst.org/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/1542714/684_EI_Stat_Review_V16_DIGITAL.pdf). It covers 2015–2023 and is reported in Million Tonnes.
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