What is Mt CO₂-e? Emissions are a combination of gases. Most are Carbon Dioxide (CO₂). The other gases are measured as a Carbon Dioxide equivalent (CO₂-e) based on the amount of heat they trap in the atmosphere. They’re measured in Million Tonnes (Mt).
Transport is Australia's second-biggest greenhouse gas emitter, after electricity. This is primarily due to the combustion of fossil fuels in vehicles.
The sector's emissions bounced around during the pandemic and are now slightly below pre-Covid levels.
Road transport, including cars, trucks, and buses, is the largest contributor within the transport sector, with private car use and heavy freight being particularly emissions-intensive.
Total Transport Emissions
Australia
|
YEAR |
Mt CO₂-e |
v PREV YEAR |
v 2005 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 22 | 89.8 | 0.4% | 9.4% |
| Sep 22 | 93.0 | 3.6% | 13.4% |
| Dec 22 | 94.2 | 4.5% | 14.8% |
| Mar 23 | 95.7 | 6.1% | 16.7% |
| Jun 23 | 96.7 | 7.7% | 17.8% |
| Sep 23 | 97.0 | 4.3% | 18.3% |
| Dec 23 | 97.6 | 3.7% | 19.0% |
| Mar 24 | 98.2 | 2.6% | 19.7% |
| Jun 24 | 98.6 | 2.0% | 20.2% |
Source: DCCEEW Quarterly updates via OnlyFacts
Several factors affects transport emissions across Australia's states and territories, including population size, urban planning, geographic challenges, and transport policies.
Despite its lower population, WA has considerable transport emissions due to long travel distances and a strong dependence on road and air transport, especially in remote areas.
States and Territories
Australia
Transport is Australia's second-biggest greenhouse gas emitter.
Australia’s transport emissions are divided into four types:
'Road' is the biggest category in transport emissions, by far.
Emissions by Transport Type
Australia
Transport is Australia's second-biggest greenhouse gas emitter, after electricity.
'Road' is the biggest category in transport emissions, by far. When we drill down into 'road' emissions, cars dominate. Just 2% of Australia's 21 million registered vehicles are electric.
That figure is growing. But something else has changed. There are more diesel vehicles on the roads too.
Emissions by Road Type
Australia
|
SECTOR |
Mt CO₂-e |
NET |
|---|---|---|
| Cars | 37.742 | 6.1% |
| Heavy-Duty Trucks and Buses | 21.984 | 2.5% |
| Light Commercial Vehicles | 16.822 | 0.3% |
| Motorcycles | 0.209 | 8.0% |
