Methane emissions by sector in Australia
Australia: Methane emissions by sector was 530,000 tonnes in 2023. ◆ Volatile
Methane emissions by sector in Australia, 1990–2023
Source: Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes.
Analysis
In 2023, methane emissions by sector in Australia stood at 530,000 tonnes.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 140.9% on the previous year and down 67.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions by sector in Australia peaked at 10.66 million tonnes in 2019 and was at its lowest, 220,000 tonnes, in 2021.
Australia ranks 22nd of 193 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 3.89 million tonnes | 2.36 million tonnes | 7.58 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.75 million tonnes | 230,000 tonnes | 3.83 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2010s | 1.88 million tonnes | 290,000 tonnes | 10.66 million tonnes | 10 |
| 2020s | 1.71 million tonnes | 220,000 tonnes | 5.86 million tonnes | 4 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 19 South Sudan 880,000 tonnes compare
- 20 United States 860,000 tonnes compare
- 21 Nepal 720,000 tonnes compare
- 23 Ethiopia 480,000 tonnes compare
- 24 Malaysia 450,000 tonnes compare
- 25 Madagascar 390,000 tonnes compare
More climate change data for Australia
- Share of global CO₂ emissions and population 0.4% (2100)
- Population growth 1.5% (2025)
- Population, total 27.61 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 1.7% (2025)
- Urban population 24.22 million (2025)
- Urban population 87.7% (2025)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita 14.48 tonnes per person (2024)
- Cumulative CO₂ emissions 20.04 billion tonnes (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita 14.48 tonnes per person (2024)
- CO₂ emissions per capita vs. share of electricity generation from renewables 14.48 tonnes per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions by sector in Australia?
- Methane emissions by sector in Australia was 530,000 tonnes in 2023, according to Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions by sector recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 10.66 million tonnes in 2019.
- What is the lowest methane emissions by sector recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 220,000 tonnes in 2021.
- How does Australia rank for methane emissions by sector?
- Australia ranks 22nd out of 193 countries with data for 2023.
- Is methane emissions by sector rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 67.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Climate Watch (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions by sector. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 34 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Emissions are measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents.