Australia’s emissions fell 0.4% in 2022 despite increases in transport and agriculture pollution

Inventory shows Australia has burned through 27% of emissions budget under Paris climate accord in 25% of allotted time

• Get our morning and afternoon news emails, free app or daily news podcast

Australia’s carbon emissions edged lower in 2022 with reductions from the electricity sector partly countered by increases in pollution from transport and agriculture.

The country’s emissions last year totalled 463.9m tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent (Mt CO2-e), down 0.4% or 2m tonnes from the previous year. Preliminary estimates for the year to 31 March 2023 indicated emissions totalled 464Mt CO2-e, or 0.2% lower on a rolling 12-month tally, the national greenhouse gas inventory shows.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup