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SCIENCE

The Claim

Australia's greenhouse gas emissions are approximately 14.8 tonnes of CO₂-equivalent per person per year.

Verified by Lenz ·

The Short Version

The stated figure does not match the metric named in the claim. Numbers around 14.8 tonnes are typically for CO2-only emissions, while Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions per person are materially higher in authoritative sources, commonly around 17.8–22 tCO2e depending on the year and dataset. As worded, the claim understates Australia’s per-capita greenhouse gas emissions.

Caveats

  • Do not treat CO2-only emissions as the same as total greenhouse gas emissions in CO2-equivalent terms.
  • Per-capita values vary by year and methodology, but credible total-GHG estimates still sit well above 14.8.
  • Secondary websites and social media summaries often omit whether a figure is CO2-only, fossil-only, or all greenhouse gases.

The Receipts

  1. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions, 2024

    Our World in Data

  2. Greenhouse gas footprint indicators

    OECD

  3. Australia - CO₂ and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Country Profile

    Our World in Data

  4. Total greenhouse gas emissions per capita in OECD countries

    Figure.NZ

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

    Statista

  6. Carbon Emissions - Regenerate Australia

    Carbon Positive Australia

  7. Greenhouse gas emissions

    Climate Action - Victoria State Government

  8. Australia's global fossil fuel carbon footprint

    Climate Analytics

  9. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per capita in OECD

    TheGlobalEconomy.com

  10. 9 Charts Explain Per Capita Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Country

    World Resources Institute

+ 9 more sources — see the full list on Lenz

Filed Under

Australia

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