The Morrison Government has released the June 2021 Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory.

In the year to the end of June 2021, emissions were 498.9 million tonnes – 2.1 per cent or 10.8 million tonnes lower than the same period in 2020.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are now at 20.4 per cent below levels from 2005 – the baseline year for our 2030 Paris Agreement target.

Emissions from electricity generation continued their long-term, structural decline in the year to June 2021, down 4.5 per cent or 7.7 million tonnes.

This continuing decline in emissions is driven by Australia’s world-leading deployment of solar and wind. Since 2017, Australia’s consumption of renewable energy has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.6 per cent, with more than $40 billion invested in Australia’s renewable energy sector. Last year, Australia deployed new solar and wind at eight times the global per capita average.

The June Quarterly Update found fugitive emissions and emissions from transport also fell by 8.7 per cent (4.6 million tonnes) and 1.9 per cent (1.7 million tonnes) respectively, over the past year.

The Australian economy grew by 0.7 per cent during the June quarter, while emissions rose 0.4 per cent or 0.5 million tonnes in trend terms. Per capita emissions are now at their lowest levels in three decades and are forecast to fall further by 2030.

The production of exports for overseas markets generated 39.1 per cent of Australia’s total emissions in the year to June. The value of Australia’s overseas exports has increased by around $80 billion or 23 per cent in real terms since 2013, reflecting the Government’s strong economic management.

When emissions associated with the production of exports are excluded, domestic emissions are 38 per cent below 2005 levels.

The Government is backing new and emerging technologies that will support jobs, strengthen the economy and reduce emissions, without compromising the affordable, reliable power that Australian households and businesses rely on.

The Government’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan outlines how Australia will harness low emissions technologies to meet its 2050 net zero goal. 

We have committed to invest at least $21 billion in low emissions technologies in the decade to 2030, driving more than $80 billion in total public and private investment. Our Plan is projected to create more than 100,000 jobs by 2050.

The Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: June 2021 can be found here: https://www.industry.gov.au/data-and-publications/national-greenhouse-g…  

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