PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australia’s emissions in the June quarter of this year declined by around 8%, or 10-million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, compared with 2019, as a result of the restrictions imposed by the Covid-19 pandemic.

In 2019/20, emissions are estimated to be as low as 518-million tonnes, their lowest level since 1998.

The impact has been most marked in the transport sector, with 26.7% less petrol and 79% less jet fuel consumed in the June quarter 2020. Emissions from consumption of liquid fuels were 17.9% lower than in the June quarter 2019.

Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction Angus Taylor said that unsustainable restrictions on Australians’ livelihoods and freedom to travel have substantially reduced emissions.

“With the impacts of Covid-19 restrictions being felt across the economy, emissions have reduced as expected,” said Taylor.

In the year to March 2020, emissions fell 1.4%, or 7.7-million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, to 528.7-million tonnes. This is 14.3% below 2005 levels, which is the baseline year for Australia’s 2030 Paris target.

When the inventory is adjusted by excluding emissions generated by exports, emissions have fallen 32% on 2005 levels. This substantial fall reflects the continuing decarbonisation of Australia’s domestic economy, Taylor said.

Emissions from exports rose 1.9%, or 3.9-million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, to 38.6% of the total emissions. The increase mainly reflects an 11% increase in Australia’s liquefied natural gas (LNG) exports to 79-million tonnes in the year to March 2020 on the year to March 2019. Australia’s LNG exports have the potential to reduce emissions in importing countries by up to 169-million tonnes each year.

Taylor noted that emissions from electricity continued their long term structural decline, down 4.2%, or 7.6-million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, in the year to March 2020.

Final emissions data for the June quarter 2020 and the 2019/20 financial year will be published in late November 2020.