Australia CO₂ Emissions
Australia emitted 387 million tonnes of CO₂ in 2024, 1% of the global total. That ranks it 16th of 213 countries and territories and works out at 14.48 tonnes per person.
Data year 2024 · Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025) via Our World in Data
How much CO₂ does Australia emit?
Australia produced 387 million tonnes of carbon dioxide from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. The world total was 38.6 billion tonnes, so Australia accounts for 1% of it.
With a population of about 27 million, that is 14.48 tonnes per person, 3.1 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
CO₂ emissions in Australia since 1990
Annual emissions in Australia have risen by 39% since 1990, from 278 million tonnes to 387 million tonnes. Over the last ten years, from 2014 to 2024, they have fallen by 1%. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 415 million tonnes and are now 7% below that level.
Where the CO₂ comes from
Oil is the largest source of CO₂ in Australia, at about 38% of the total, followed by coal at 37% and gas at 19%.
How Australia compares with other countries
These are the countries closest to Australia in the 2024 ranking by total emissions. See the full ranking of all 213 countries.
| # | Country | Total (Mt) | Share of world | Per person (t) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Mexico | 460.99 | 1.19% | 3.52 |
| 15 | South Africa | 439.83 | 1.14% | 6.87 |
| 16 | Australia | 386.73 | 1.00% | 14.48 |
| 17 | Vietnam | 370.93 | 0.96% | 3.67 |
| 18 | United Kingdom | 312.91 | 0.81% | 4.53 |
Historical emissions
Carbon dioxide stays in the atmosphere for a long time, so past emissions matter as well as current ones. Since records began, Australia has emitted about 20.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry. That is 1.08% of the cumulative global total, compared with 1% of emissions in 2024.
Frequently asked questions
How much CO₂ does Australia emit per year?
Australia emitted 387 million tonnes of CO₂ from fossil fuels and industry in 2024. That is 1% of global emissions.
What are the CO₂ emissions per person in Australia?
About 14.48 tonnes of CO₂ per person in 2024, which is 3.1 times the world average of 4.73 tonnes.
Are CO₂ emissions in Australia rising or falling?
They have fallen by 1% over the last ten years and risen by 39% since 1990. Emissions peaked in 2019 at 415 million tonnes and are now 7% below that level.
What is the largest source of CO₂ in Australia?
Oil is the largest source, responsible for about 38% of emissions from fossil fuels and industry, followed by coal at 37%.
About the data. Figures are annual carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels and from industry, such as cement production. They are counted where the emissions happen and do not include land-use change, other greenhouse gases, or emissions from imported goods.
Source: Global Carbon Budget (2025), processed by Our World in Data and used under the CC BY 4.0 licence. Latest year available: 2024.
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