Australia: environment

What are Australia's greenhouse gas emissions?

Corporations reported 296.6 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e) of direct (scope 1) greenhouse gas emissions in 2024-25 under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme, according to the Clean Energy Regulator, published on 27 February 2026. They also reported 73.0 Mt CO2-e of indirect (scope 2) emissions from electricity use.

The scheme covers about 68% of Australia's total emissions. It excludes agriculture, forestry, private vehicle transport and households, so it is not the national total. Australia's full national inventory is published by the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water, whose site could not be reached by automated check on 14 October 2026.

Official sources: Clean Energy Regulator: 2024-25 NGER published data highlights

How much electricity does Australia generate and what does it emit?

Grid-connected electricity generators in Australia produced 215.4 million megawatt-hours of electricity in 2024-25 and reported 133.7 Mt CO2-e of scope 1 emissions, according to the Clean Energy Regulator. Including off-grid generators, reported production was 219.9 million MWh.

The data come from facilities that report under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme. Electricity is the largest single source of reported emissions, at about 45% of the 296.6 Mt CO2-e reported by corporations. Generation by fuel type, such as coal, gas, wind and solar, is published in the Australian Energy Statistics and by the Australian Energy Market Operator.

Official sources: Clean Energy Regulator: Electricity sector emissions and generation data 2024-25

How hot was Australia last year?

2025 was Australia's fourth-warmest year since national records began in 1910, with the national average temperature 1.23 °C above the 1961-1990 average, according to the Bureau of Meteorology's Annual Climate Statement 2025. Average maximum temperatures were 1.48 °C above average and minimums 0.98 °C above.

Nationally averaged rainfall was 503 mm, 8% above average, though rainfall was below average for most of Tasmania, Victoria and South Australia. Sea surface temperatures around Australia were the warmest on record for the second year in a row. The Bureau compares each year with the 1961-1990 baseline.

Official sources: Bureau of Meteorology: Annual Climate Statement 2025

How much energy does Australia use?

Australia's net physical energy use rose 1.6% to 23,693 petajoules in 2023-24, according to the ABS Energy Account, released on 20 November 2025. Energy exports rose 3.1% to 17,927 PJ, household energy use fell 3.4% to 980 PJ, and renewable energy extraction (hydro, solar and wind) rose 4.9% to 341 PJ.

The energy account follows the UN System of Environmental-Economic Accounting and includes energy used to produce exports such as coal and gas. Industry energy use was 4,711 PJ. The value of the main energy products used by industry fell 0.5% to $158.9 billion.

Official sources: ABS: Energy Account, Australia, 2023-24

How much water does Australia use?

Water consumption by Australian industries and households rose 12.9% to 17,223 gigalitres in 2023-24, according to the ABS Water Account, released on 11 December 2025. Agriculture, forestry and fishing used 11,760 GL (up 14.6%), and households 1,868 GL (up 6.2%).

The ABS notes that 2022-23, the year before, was one of the wettest on record, with major dam storages near capacity. Water used to generate hydroelectricity is counted separately: it fell 22.5% to 40,254 GL. The Bureau of Meteorology also publishes national water information.

Official sources: ABS: Water Account, Australia, 2023-24

What are Australia's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Australia at 14.1 tonnes in 2024. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 2.1 tonnes, and Australia placed 3rd highest of 30. Worldwide: 10th of 186.

What are Australia's total greenhouse gas emissions?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 591 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Since 2005 it has ranged from 572 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2022) to 615 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent (2012). It is 5th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 45.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Worldwide: 14th of 186.

How much of Australia's energy is renewable?

12.3%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Australia for 2021, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 17th highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 14.9%. Of 191 countries with 2021 data, 130th highest.

What share of Australia is covered by forest?

According to the FAO, forest area as a share of land in Australia was 17.4% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. East Asia & Pacific median: 53.6%; Australia is 26th highest of 29. Worldwide: 127th of 190.

What is air pollution like in Australia?

The latest figure from the Global Burden of Disease study, for 2023, is 6.4 micrograms per cubic metre. The peak was 9.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2019 and the low 5.3 micrograms per cubic metre in 2010. It is 22nd highest of 30 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 11.7 micrograms per cubic metre. Worldwide: 178th of 192.

What share of Australia is protected land?

The UN Environment Programme puts the share of land in protected areas in Australia at 22.0% in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2013. Across East Asia & Pacific the middle value was 15.8%, and Australia placed 7th highest of 30. Of 192 countries with 2025 data, 71st highest.

What is water stress in Australia?

4.7%: that is water stress in Australia for 2022, according to the FAO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 3.4% (2020) to 7.7% (2013). It is 14th highest of 20 in East Asia & Pacific, where the median is 13.1%. World rank, highest first: 122nd of 175.