Other performance measures

This section provides an overview of Tasmania’s emissions against other key performance measures, including greenhouse gas emissions per capita and emissions per dollar of Gross State Product (GSP).

Emissions per capita

Greenhouse gas emissions per capita provide a measure of average emissions, taking into account changes in population. Tasmania’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions, which have fallen from a peak of 46.5 t CO2-e per person in 1990‑91 to -0.02 t CO2-e per person in 2015-16, are shown in Figure 9.

Figure 9 shows Tasmania's greenhouse gas emissions per capita, which is measured as tonnes of CO2-e per person. It shows that per capita emissions have decreased from a peak of 46.5 tonnes CO2-e per person in 1991 to -0.02 tonnes CO2-e per person in 2016.

Figure 9: Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions per capita (t CO2-e per person) from 1989-90 to 2015-16

In 2015-16, Tasmania’s greenhouse gas emissions per capita figure was the lowest of all Australian states and territories, as shown in Figure 10. The jurisdiction with the second lowest emissions per capita is the Australian Capital Territory, however, this is only a partial inventory as most of its stationary energy is generated in New South Wales and the associated emissions are included in its inventory.

Figure 10 shows that Tasmania has the lowest per capita emissions in Australia, at -0.02 tonnes CO2-e per person. The Australian Capital Territory is second lowest, with 4.21 tonnes CO2-e per person. The Northern Territory has the highest per capita emissions at 67.14 tonnes CO2-e per person.

Figure 10: Comparison of state and territory emissions per capita (t CO2-e per person) in 2015-16

Emissions per dollar of GSP

The greenhouse gas emissions per dollar of GSP provides an indicator of the emissions intensity or productivity of the economy, and is calculated by dividing Tasmania’s net greenhouse gas emissions by the value of its GSP. Since 1989-90, Tasmania’s emissions (excluding LULUCF) per dollar of GSP has declined from 0.49kg CO2-e per dollar of GSP, down to 0.28kg CO2-e per dollar in 2015-16, as shown in Figure 11. This is despite a 72 per cent increase in GSP over the same period.

Figure 11 shows emissions (excluding LULUCF) per dollar of GSP, which have declined from 0.49kg CO2-e per dollar of GSP, down to 0.28 CO2-e per dollar in 2016. This figure also shows total emissions (excluding LULUCF) which have remained steady at around 8 Mt CO2-e since 1990.

Figure 11: Greenhouse gas emissions (excluding LULUCF) per dollar of Gross State Product (kg CO2-e per $)

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