Methane emissions in Australia
Australia: Methane emissions was 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
down 4.0%
World rank
12th
of 199 countries
All-time high
197.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2001
All-time low
3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Methane emissions in Australia, 1850–2024
Source: Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in tonnes of CO₂ equivalents.
Analysis
The most recent figure for methane emissions in Australia is 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.0% on the previous year and down 17.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, methane emissions in Australia peaked at 197.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2001 and was at its lowest, 3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
That places Australia 12th out of 199 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Methane emissions in Australia, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 3.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.3% |
| 1852 | 4.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.5% |
| 1853 | 4.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.1% |
| 1854 | 5.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.0% |
| 1855 | 5.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.1% |
| 1856 | 6.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +8.3% |
| 1857 | 6.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.7% |
| 1858 | 7.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.1% |
| 1859 | 7.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.7% |
| 1860 | 8.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1861 | 8.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.9% |
| 1862 | 9.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1863 | 9.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1864 | 10.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1865 | 10.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1866 | 11.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1867 | 11.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.4% |
| 1868 | 11.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1869 | 12.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1870 | 12.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.4% |
| 1871 | 13.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1872 | 13.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1873 | 14.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1874 | 14.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1875 | 14.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1876 | 15.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1877 | 15.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1878 | 16.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1879 | 16.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1880 | 17.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1881 | 17.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1882 | 18.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1883 | 19.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1884 | 20.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1885 | 20.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1886 | 21.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1887 | 22.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.3% |
| 1888 | 22.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1889 | 23.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1890 | 24.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1891 | 24.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1892 | 25.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1893 | 25.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1894 | 26.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1895 | 26.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1896 | 27.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1897 | 27.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1898 | 28.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1899 | 29.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1900 | 30.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.4% |
| 1901 | 31.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.6% |
| 1902 | 31.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1903 | 32.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1904 | 32.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1905 | 33.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1906 | 34.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1907 | 35.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1908 | 36.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1909 | 36.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1910 | 37.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1911 | 38.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1912 | 39.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1913 | 40.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1914 | 42.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1915 | 42.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.0% |
| 1916 | 42.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1917 | 43.11 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1918 | 44.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1919 | 44.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1920 | 46.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1921 | 46.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1922 | 47.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1923 | 48.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1924 | 49.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1925 | 50.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1926 | 51.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1927 | 52.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1928 | 52.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 1929 | 52.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1930 | 52.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1931 | 52.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1932 | 53.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1933 | 54.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1934 | 55.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1935 | 56.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1936 | 57.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1937 | 59.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1938 | 59.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1939 | 61.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1940 | 61.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1941 | 64.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1942 | 66.62 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1943 | 67.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1944 | 68.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1945 | 69.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1946 | 72.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1947 | 74.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1948 | 75.65 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1949 | 76.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1950 | 80.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.9% |
| 1951 | 83.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1952 | 86.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1953 | 89.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1954 | 92.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1955 | 94.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1956 | 97.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1957 | 100.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1958 | 103.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.0% |
| 1959 | 106.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.7% |
| 1960 | 110.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1961 | 112.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.4% |
| 1962 | 116.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1963 | 119.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1964 | 124.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.5% |
| 1965 | 127.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1966 | 124.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 1967 | 129.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1968 | 133.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.2% |
| 1969 | 139.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1970 | 140.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1971 | 137.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1972 | 159.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +15.9% |
| 1973 | 143.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -10.4% |
| 1974 | 149.99 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1975 | 156.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1976 | 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.0% |
| 1977 | 166.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.4% |
| 1978 | 146.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -12.4% |
| 1979 | 160.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.8% |
| 1980 | 164.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1981 | 140.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -14.5% |
| 1982 | 158.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.8% |
| 1983 | 142.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -9.8% |
| 1984 | 146.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1985 | 168.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.9% |
| 1986 | 158.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.4% |
| 1987 | 146.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -7.2% |
| 1988 | 144.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.4% |
| 1989 | 151.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.1% |
| 1990 | 163.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.8% |
| 1991 | 164.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.5% |
| 1992 | 162.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.0% |
| 1993 | 160.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 1994 | 160.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.4% |
| 1995 | 160.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 1996 | 152.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.5% |
| 1997 | 154.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1998 | 158.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1999 | 173.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.7% |
| 2000 | 185.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 2001 | 197.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.6% |
| 2002 | 190.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.4% |
| 2003 | 147.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -22.7% |
| 2004 | 168.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +14.3% |
| 2005 | 148.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.6% |
| 2006 | 167.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.8% |
| 2007 | 165.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.4% |
| 2008 | 147.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -10.9% |
| 2009 | 151.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 2010 | 141.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.6% |
| 2011 | 193.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +36.8% |
| 2012 | 194.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 2013 | 153.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -21.0% |
| 2014 | 164.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 2015 | 161.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 2016 | 142.95 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -11.3% |
| 2017 | 166.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +16.5% |
| 2018 | 168.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 2019 | 154.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -8.2% |
| 2020 | 135.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -12.3% |
| 2021 | 140.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 2022 | 139.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 2023 | 141.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 2024 | 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 8.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 16.2× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Australia's 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 5.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 23.4× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Methane emissions in Australia changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | +36.8% | 141.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 193.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 5.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 7.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 10.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.35 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 14.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 12.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 16.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 20.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 17.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 26.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 24.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 29.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 33.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 30.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 36.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 41.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 37.38 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 44.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 49.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 46.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 52.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 56.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 52.71 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 61.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 69.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 61.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 76.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 93.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 80.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 106.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 123.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 110.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 139.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 153.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 137.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 152.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 140.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 168.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 161.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 152.87 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 173.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 167.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 147.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 197.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 164.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 141.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 194.52 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 138.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 135.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 141.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 9 Iran 171.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 10 Iraq 156.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 11 Mexico 151.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 13 Ethiopia 119.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 14 Saudi Arabia 117.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 15 Canada 115.34 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
More climate change data for Australia
- Nutrient nitrogen N (total) — Synthetic fertilizers (Agricultural) 1.30 billion kg (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) 118,578 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 34,162 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 84,416 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 128.91 kt (2050)
- Emissions from livestock — Emissions 3,015 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) 12,473 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from N2O 10,966 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions (CO2eq) from CH4 1,507 kt (2050)
- Emissions from crops — Emissions 41.38 kt (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is methane emissions in Australia?
- Methane emissions in Australia was 135.64 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024, according to Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest methane emissions recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 197.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2001.
- What is the lowest methane emissions recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Australia rank for methane emissions?
- Australia ranks 12th out of 199 countries with data for 2024.
- Is methane emissions rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 17.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Australia data come from?
- The figures come from Jones et al. (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Methane emissions. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 175 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Measured in tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents over a 100-year timescale.