Nitrous oxide emissions in Australia
Australia: Nitrous oxide emissions was 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2024)
67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
Change on year
up 2.0%
World rank
8th
of 201 countries
All-time high
103.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 2001
All-time low
8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents
in 1850
Years of data
175
1850–2024
Nitrous oxide 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
Australia recorded 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents for nitrous oxide emissions in 2024.
The figure is up 2.0% on the previous year and down 10.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, nitrous oxide emissions in Australia peaked at 103.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2001 and was at its lowest, 8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, in 1850.
Australia ranks 8th of 201 countries on this measure, in the top 10%.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Nitrous oxide emissions in Australia, year by year
| Year | tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1850 | 8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | — |
| 1851 | 8.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1852 | 8.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1853 | 8.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1854 | 8.66 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.7% |
| 1855 | 8.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1856 | 8.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1857 | 9.01 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1858 | 9.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1859 | 9.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1860 | 9.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.4% |
| 1861 | 9.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1862 | 9.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1863 | 9.23 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1864 | 9.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1865 | 9.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1866 | 9.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1867 | 9.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1868 | 9.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1869 | 9.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1870 | 9.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1871 | 9.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1872 | 9.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.0% |
| 1873 | 10.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.7% |
| 1874 | 11.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1875 | 11.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 1876 | 12.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.5% |
| 1877 | 13.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.8% |
| 1878 | 13.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.8% |
| 1879 | 14.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1880 | 14.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1881 | 14.94 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1882 | 15.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1883 | 15.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1884 | 15.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1885 | 15.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1886 | 15.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1887 | 15.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1888 | 15.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1889 | 15.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1890 | 17.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +11.2% |
| 1891 | 16.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.3% |
| 1892 | 16.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.9% |
| 1893 | 15.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.5% |
| 1894 | 15.12 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.0% |
| 1895 | 14.74 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.5% |
| 1896 | 14.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -2.1% |
| 1897 | 14.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 1898 | 14.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.1% |
| 1899 | 13.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.6% |
| 1900 | 13.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1901 | 14.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 1902 | 14.44 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 1903 | 14.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1904 | 15.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1905 | 16.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.6% |
| 1906 | 17.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.5% |
| 1907 | 17.76 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1908 | 18.41 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.6% |
| 1909 | 18.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.9% |
| 1910 | 19.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1911 | 19.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1912 | 19.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1913 | 19.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1914 | 20.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1915 | 20.25 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1916 | 20.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1917 | 20.54 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1918 | 20.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 1919 | 20.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.8% |
| 1920 | 21.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1921 | 21.28 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.1% |
| 1922 | 21.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1923 | 21.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1924 | 22.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1925 | 22.53 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.5% |
| 1926 | 22.83 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1927 | 23.10 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.2% |
| 1928 | 23.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1929 | 23.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.6% |
| 1930 | 23.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.2% |
| 1931 | 23.50 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.0% |
| 1932 | 23.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1933 | 23.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1934 | 23.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1935 | 23.26 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1936 | 23.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1937 | 23.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.3% |
| 1938 | 23.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.2% |
| 1939 | 23.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.1% |
| 1940 | 23.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.1% |
| 1941 | 23.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.6% |
| 1942 | 24.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1943 | 25.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1944 | 27.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.0% |
| 1945 | 29.73 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.2% |
| 1946 | 31.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +7.0% |
| 1947 | 33.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.3% |
| 1948 | 35.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +5.3% |
| 1949 | 37.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.1% |
| 1950 | 38.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.7% |
| 1951 | 38.79 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.9% |
| 1952 | 39.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
| 1953 | 40.42 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.1% |
| 1954 | 41.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1955 | 42.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1956 | 43.17 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1957 | 44.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.3% |
| 1958 | 45.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1959 | 46.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1960 | 47.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1961 | 47.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.9% |
| 1962 | 49.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.2% |
| 1963 | 50.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.8% |
| 1964 | 52.88 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1965 | 54.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.2% |
| 1966 | 53.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.6% |
| 1967 | 54.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.1% |
| 1968 | 57.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +4.3% |
| 1969 | 59.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +3.8% |
| 1970 | 60.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.8% |
| 1971 | 56.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.8% |
| 1972 | 71.09 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +26.2% |
| 1973 | 55.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -21.6% |
| 1974 | 61.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +9.8% |
| 1975 | 68.69 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +12.3% |
| 1976 | 81.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +18.6% |
| 1977 | 78.48 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -3.6% |
| 1978 | 63.16 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -19.5% |
| 1979 | 76.59 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +21.3% |
| 1980 | 81.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.3% |
| 1981 | 57.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -29.2% |
| 1982 | 74.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +29.8% |
| 1983 | 61.72 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -17.4% |
| 1984 | 62.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1985 | 83.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +33.4% |
| 1986 | 71.55 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -14.3% |
| 1987 | 59.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -17.2% |
| 1988 | 60.04 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.3% |
| 1989 | 63.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.0% |
| 1990 | 73.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +16.1% |
| 1991 | 73.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1992 | 72.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.3% |
| 1993 | 71.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.5% |
| 1994 | 72.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.4% |
| 1995 | 71.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.9% |
| 1996 | 68.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.8% |
| 1997 | 67.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -0.9% |
| 1998 | 72.20 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 1999 | 88.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +22.3% |
| 2000 | 93.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.2% |
| 2001 | 103.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +10.8% |
| 2002 | 97.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -6.3% |
| 2003 | 60.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -37.4% |
| 2004 | 82.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +35.2% |
| 2005 | 61.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -25.4% |
| 2006 | 79.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +29.1% |
| 2007 | 75.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -5.4% |
| 2008 | 60.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -19.6% |
| 2009 | 64.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +6.8% |
| 2010 | 53.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -17.3% |
| 2011 | 102.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +91.7% |
| 2012 | 102.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +0.7% |
| 2013 | 63.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -38.0% |
| 2014 | 75.85 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +18.8% |
| 2015 | 72.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -4.8% |
| 2016 | 59.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -18.3% |
| 2017 | 79.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +34.5% |
| 2018 | 78.00 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -1.7% |
| 2019 | 64.19 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -17.7% |
| 2020 | 54.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | -14.7% |
| 2021 | 64.21 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +17.3% |
| 2022 | 65.82 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.5% |
| 2023 | 66.47 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +1.0% |
| 2024 | 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | +2.0% |
Australia compared with similar countries
- Australia's 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for high income countries, which is 2.56 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 26.5× the median. (67 countries reporting)
- Australia's 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents is above the median for East Asia & Pacific, which is 1.57 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents, 43.1× the median. (32 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Nitrous oxide 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 | +91.7% | 53.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 102.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 2013 | -38.0% | 102.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 63.84 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 2003 | -37.4% | 97.39 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 60.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 2004 | +35.2% | 60.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 82.40 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 2017 | +34.5% | 59.02 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 79.36 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
| 1985 | +33.4% | 62.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 83.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1850s | 8.67 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1860s | 9.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.18 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1870s | 11.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 9.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14.46 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1880s | 15.33 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 14.77 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 15.80 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1890s | 15.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.97 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 17.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1900s | 16.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 13.96 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 18.93 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1910s | 20.13 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 19.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 20.86 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1920s | 22.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 21.05 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1930s | 23.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.51 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1940s | 29.27 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 23.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 37.07 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1950s | 41.89 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 38.06 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 46.14 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1960s | 52.68 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 47.15 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 59.37 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1970s | 67.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 55.70 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 81.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1980s | 67.60 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 57.61 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 83.45 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 1990s | 73.22 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 67.58 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 88.31 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2000s | 77.91 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 60.32 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 103.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2010s | 75.08 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 53.30 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 102.90 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 10 |
| 2020s | 63.81 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 54.75 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 67.78 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents | 5 |
Countries ranked near Australia
- 5 Russia 85.24 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 6 Pakistan 71.43 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 7 Indonesia 70.98 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 9 Argentina 52.29 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 10 Ethiopia 51.63 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents compare
- 11 Canada 44.73 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 nitrous oxide emissions in Australia?
- Nitrous oxide emissions in Australia was 67.78 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 nitrous oxide emissions recorded in Australia?
- The highest recorded value was 103.92 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 2001.
- What is the lowest nitrous oxide emissions recorded in Australia?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.03 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalents in 1850.
- How does Australia rank for nitrous oxide emissions?
- Australia ranks 8th out of 201 countries with data for 2024.
- Is nitrous oxide emissions rising or falling in Australia?
- Over the last ten years it is down 10.6%. 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 Nitrous oxide 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.