For most developed countries, the energy sector produces a higher proportion of national emissions. Unlike other developed countries, Australia also has substantial emissions from activities on the land such as agriculture, forestry and land clearing. For example, Australia is a significant supplier of aluminium, steel and agricultural products. Emissions from the manufacture of these products and the energy supplied to make them are attributed to Australia, though the goods are often used elsewhere. Most of Australia's electricity supply comes from coal fired power stations.
Coal produces more emissions per unit of energy than does natural gas.
Australia also has no nuclear power and limited hydroelectric power, sources of energy that produce relatively low emissions of greenhouse gases per unit of energy produced. Other unique features for Australia include our high population growth, which leads to growth in energy demand and emissions from electricity generation, transport and waste. The 1997 Inventory covers the early stages of Australia's greenhouse gas abatement strategy. Many greenhouse measures have a considerable lead time so their effects won't be seen to any real degree in this Inventory. Since 1997 there has been substantial ramping up of greenhouse actions.