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Australia ranks among the world’s highest per-capita greenhouse gas emitters.

The Claim

Australia is one of the world's largest per-capita greenhouse gas emitters.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

Recent, reputable emissions datasets place Australia among the world’s highest per-capita greenhouse gas emitters. Its per-person emissions are far above the global average and among the highest in advanced economies, with global comparisons also putting it in the top tier. Rankings vary depending on whether the metric is CO2 only or all greenhouse gases, but the core claim holds either way.

Caveats

  • Do not treat 'highest in the OECD' as sufficient by itself to prove a global ranking; global datasets are needed for that step.
  • CO2-only rankings and full greenhouse-gas rankings are different measures, though both still place Australia near the top internationally.
  • Australia is not necessarily in the absolute top few globally, because several smaller or Gulf states can rank higher on a per-capita basis.

The Receipts

  1. Australia | OECD

    OECD

  2. GHG emissions of all world countries - 2025 Report

    EDGAR

  3. Global per capita greenhouse gas emissions 2023, by OECD country

    Statista

  4. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions

    Our World in Data

  5. Greenhouse gas emissions

    Our World in Data

  6. Evaluating the significance of Australia's global fossil fuel carbon footprint

    Climate Analytics

  7. Where in the world do people emit the most CO2?

    Our World in Data

  8. CO₂ emissions per capita

    Our World in Data

  9. CO₂ emissions

    Our World in Data

  10. Consumption-based CO₂ emissions per capita vs. GDP per capita

    Our World in Data

+ 10 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Australia

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