20 December
2006 - The annual 2006 greenhouse emissions projections
released today show that Australia will achieve significant
reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next six
years, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage,
Senator Ian Campbell said today.
“While meeting Australia’s emissions
reduction target remains a challenge, we are tracking
well and remain committed to reaching it,” Senator Campbell
said.
The Tracking to the Kyoto Target report
projects the levels of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
in 2008-2012. It forecasts Australia’s emissions to be
109 per cent of 11000 levels by 2008-2012.
Australia is committed to achieving
an emissions target of 108 percent of 11000 levels by
2008-2012 and the report shows we are within 1 percent
of meeting that target.
“Historically, Australia’s emissions
projections have moved around. The estimates are influenced
heavily by the rate of economic growth, the global demand
for resources and domestic circumstances such as drought.
“For example, in 2002 and 2003, Australia
was projected to be 3 percent and 2 percent above the
108 percent target respectively but with emissions reduction
measures put in place was back on target to 108 in subsequent
years.
“Australia is experiencing strong economic
and employment growth and has a booming resources sector.
This in turn means emissions levels go up.
“Today’s report shows that thanks to
actions by the Australian Government, state, territory
and local governments, industry and the Australian people,
we have done well to dramatically reduce our projected
national emissions by 16 percentage points.
“Without this strong action, Australia’s
projected emissions would be riding at 125 percent of
11000 levels. We are saving 87 million tonnes of greenhouse
gases from going into the atmosphere each year.
“The objective of the Australian Government
is to balance our economic prosperity with environmental
sustainability and we will continue to examine ways we
can work with industry and the community to further reduce
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.”
The Australian Government has already
committed to a range of measures including:
the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean
Development and Climate, into which Australia has invested
$100 million, of which $60 million has been committed
to a range of projects covering areas including renewable
energies, improving environmental performance of fossil
fuels, energy efficiency and best environmental practice
in sectors such as coal mining and aluminium production;
three new Solar Cities in Queensland,
South Australia and New South Wales, which together will
install 3,000 solar panels on private and public housing
and other buildings, conduct 6,000 energy efficiency consultations
and assist more than 230,000 residents and businesses
to learn how to reduce their energy use and save money.
These Solar Cities will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions
by 64,000 tonnes each year and save their communities
$9 million per year in electricity bills.
a $500 million fund to support low-emissions
technology, including the world’s largest carbon capture
and storage project which will save 3 million tonnes of
carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere – the equivalent
of taking almost 1 million cars off the road; and the
world’s biggest solar power station in north-western Victoria
which will provide power for up to 45,000 homes and will
reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 400,000 tonnes
per annum;
extension of the Remote Renewable Power
Generation program, providing $123 million to replace
diesel powered plants with solar and wind.
The Prime Minister has also announced
a joint government business Task Group to advise on the
nature and design of a workable global emissions trading
system in which Australia would be able to participate.
The Task Group will advise and report on additional steps
that might be taken, in Australia, consistent with the
goal of establishing such a system.
For a copy of ‘2006 Tracking to the
Kyoto Target’, visit www.greenhouse.gov.au/projections.
Rob Broadfield
