MtCO₂-e is the abbreviation for million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
While carbon dioxide is the primary greenhouse gas emitted through human activities, others include methane, nitrous oxide, and some other gases with industrial applications.
The various greenhouse gases differ in their effects on the climate, so to make calculations easier, the amounts of these gases are converted into an equivalent amount of carbon dioxide.
Net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
Queensland net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in 2022 were 124.1 MtCO₂-e*.
Queensland’s total emissions were 140 MtCO₂-e with -15.9 MtCO₂-e absorbed by the land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) sector, resulting in net emissions of 124.1 MtCO2-e.
The percentage next to each emissions category represents the relative contribution of that sector to Queensland’s net emissions.
Total annual emissions (2005–2022) and emissions reduction targets
In April 2024, Queensland Parliament enshrined in law the 2030, 2035 and 'net zero by 2050' emissions reduction targets through the Clean Economy Jobs Act 2024.
In 2022 emissions from public electricity and heat production were 45.0 MtCO2-e which represents 36.2 % of the total Queensland’s net emissions. Public electricity encompasses emissions from solid, gaseous and liquid fuel combustion in the production of electricity connected to the electricity grid.
Coal remains the most-used fuel source for electricity generation in Queensland and in Australia. A significant scale up of renewable sources and system-wide energy efficiency improvements has been reducing electricity generation emissions since 2018 in Queensland. Emissions data is collected from power stations through the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting (NGER) scheme.
The modest nature of emissions reduction is due to renewable generation expanding alongside the existing coal-fired generation fleet. Queensland has Renewable Energy Targets of 50% by 2030, 70% by 2032 and 80% by 2035.
Transport emissions by subsector
Transport emissions in 2022 were 21.5 MtCO2e, or 17.3% of Queensland’s total 2022 greenhouse gas emissions.
Land use, land-use change and forestry emissions by subsector
Land use, land-use change and forestry (LULUCF) emissions in 2022 were -15.9 MtCO₂-e. This means the LULUCF sector removed more emissions from the atmosphere than it created.
Land use, land use change and forestry (LULUCF) is made up of 6 subsectors comprising both greenhouse gas emissions and removals (also known as sequestration).
In 2022, emissions from wetlands contributed 0.3 MtCO₂-e, emissions from croplands contributed 0.07 MtCO₂-e, and emissions from settlements contributed 0.8 MtCO₂-e.
In 2022, forest land, grassland and harvested wood products were a source of sequestration, representing a removal of 11, 5.4 and 0.8 MtCO₂-e respectively.
Forest land
Forest land comprises emissions and sequestration from forest land remaining forest land and land converted to forest land. Forest land remaining forest land includes plantations, harvested native forests and other native forests. Emissions from fuelwood consumption and biomass burning in forests (controlled
burning and wildfire) are also included as is the sequestration associated with post-fire recovery. Land converted to forest land includes grassland, croplands, settlements and wetlands (tidal marsh) on which forest is identified to emerge.
Cropland
Cropland comprises emissions and sequestration from cropland remaining cropland and forest land and wetlands converted to cropland.
Grassland
Grassland comprises emissions and sequestration from grassland remaining grassland and forest land and wetlands converted to grassland.
Wetland
Wetland comprises emissions and sequestration from wetlands remaining wetlands and forest land converted to wetlands. Wetlands remaining wetlands estimates represent nitrous oxides emissions from aquaculture use in tidal wetlands, net CO₂ emissions from removal of seagrass due to capital dredging and
net emissions due to human-induced changes in the area of sparse woody vegetation.
Settlements
Settlements comprises emissions and sequestration from settlements remaining settlements and forest land and wetlands converted to settlements.
Harvested wood products
Harvested wood products are represented as a sink as most timber is used, for example, in the construction industry in the form of buildings and furniture, where it often stays for decades.
Waste emissions by subsector
Queensland waste emissions in 2022 were 2.9 MtCO₂-e (or 2.3% of Queensland’s total greenhouse gas emissions).
Queensland’s waste sector greenhouse gas emissions come from 4 key subsectors:
solid waste disposal
biological treatment of solid waste
incineration and open burning of waste
wastewater treatment and discharge.
Landfill (solid waste disposal) is the largest source of waste-related emissions at just under 72% of the sector's total emissions in 2022.
Approximately 26% of waste sector emissions come from wastewater treatment and discharge, while a very small contribution is made by the treatment of solid waste and incineration.
