The December 2023 Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory released last week shows Australia’s emissions are down year-on-year compared to the same period in 2022.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are now 29.0% below June 2005 levels – the base year for the Paris Agreement target.
Total emissions across all sectors were 432.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent – which is 2.4 million tonnes or 0.5% lower than 2022.
The biggest reductions once again were in the electricity sector – thanks to big boosts to renewables driving 4.4 million tonnes of emissions reduction.
Fugitive emissions are down 2.1% or 1 million tonnes, and stationary energy (excluding electricity) emissions were down 0.8 million tonnes.
These decreases were partially offset by a 3.4 million-tonne increase in transport emissions and a 0.5 million-tonne increase in agriculture emissions, reflecting the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and changes in crop production and livestock populations.
Minister for Climate Change & Energy, Chris Bowen, said this is why the landmark New Vehicle Efficiency Standard just passed by the Parliament is so important.
He said the standard is expected to reduce transport sector CO2 emissions by 321 million tonnes, saving motorists $95 billion in fuel to 2050.
“We’ve seen renewable generation increase by 25 per cent in the National Electricity Market since we came to office – and our Reliable Renewables plan continues to drive down emissions across the economy,” Bowen said.
Australia is roughly on track for a 42 per cent emissions reduction by 2030.
Australia’s 2023 emissions projections can be found here: Australia’s emissions projections 2023