Media release - 16 December
2009 - Australian pay television subscribers
stand to save millions of dollars and prevent
significant greenhouse
gas emissions over the coming years, thanks
to a new energy efficiency agreement struck
between the Australian Government and the
subscription television industry.
Minister for the Environment
Peter Garrett was in Sydney today to announce
the agreement between the Government, Foxtel
and Austar. It’s the latest measure in the
Government’s comprehensive program improve
the energy efficiency of appliances, equipment
and lighting.
Energy efficiency is
the critical second plank in the Australian
Government’s plan to tackle climate change,
alongside the Carbon Pollution Reduction
Scheme and unlocking the potential of renewable
energy.
“In Australia, pay TV
subscriber numbers are on the rise; additional
functionality is increasing energy use and
set-top boxes are staying on for longer.
If we were to do nothing, energy use would
more than double over the next 10 years.
“Improving the energy
efficiency of pay TV set-top boxes is an
area where we can achieve great results.
Experts predict that this agreement will
deliver energy savings of 1,124 gigawatt
hours, prevent 948 kilo-tonnes of carbon
emissions - the equivalent of taking almost
28,000 cars off the road - and save pay
TV subscribers $168 million in lower energy
bills between 2009 and 2020.”
The agreement requires
signatories to provide new pay TV set-top
boxes of high energy efficiency, and to
consider accelerating the retirement of
older, less efficient products.
“This landmark agreement
demonstrates world’s best practice when
it comes to industry and government working
together to reduce energy consumption and
greenhouse gases for pay TV set-top boxes,”
Mr Garrett said.
“Not everyone’s got
a pay TV subscription, so it’s also good
to know that free-to-air set-top boxes are
also more energy efficient – the Government
introduced minimum energy performance standards
earlier this year, helping consumers save
greenhouse gases and reduce energy use.
“And if you’re looking
for a new TV for a gift or at the upcoming
holiday and stocktake sales, don’t forget
to check the energy rating label: the more
stars, the more efficient it is and the
less it will cost you to run.
“2009 has been a big
year for energy efficiency in this country
with the most comprehensive program of measures
in the nation’s history being rolled-out
across all sectors of the Australian economy
including homes, commercial buildings, appliances
and equipment, industrial energy efficiency,
skills and education, Mr Garrett said.
“After 12 years of inaction
in this space, it is a really positive and
rapid turnaround.”
The agreement with the
pay TV industry comes on the back of recent
announcements regarding new performance
standards and energy labels for televisions;
the extension of the 10-star energy rating
scale for super efficient fridges, freezers
and air conditioners; and the next steps
in the phase-out of inefficient household
lighting.
Improving the energy
efficiency of appliances, equipment and
lighting is expected to deliver significant
environmental and economic savings for Australia:
Greenhouse gas abatement
of up to 19.5 million tonnes of carbon emissions
every year by 2020
Energy savings of up to 32,000 gigawatt
hours per year by 2020 – equivalent to 14
per cent of all electricity generated in
Australia in 2006-07 (ABARE)
Estimated savings to the Australian economy
of up to $22 billion over the period 2009-2024
Estimated savings for householders of up
to $13 billion over the period 2009-2024
“On his recent visit to Australia, Dr Nigel
Jollands, Head of Energy Efficiency at the
International Energy Agency praised Australia
for its efforts when it comes to improving
the energy efficiency of appliances, equipment
and lighting,” Minister Garrett said.
The energy efficiency
agreement for pay TV set-top boxes will
start on 1 January 2010 and run for 10 years
until 2020.
