Kyoto: Actions To Be Taken By Each Australian State

The Federal Government commitment to Kyoto is a milestone on the road to achieving climate change. Prior to this, most states had already responded decisively to the threat of climate change.

South Australia

It is anticipated that:

• Additional mandatory reporting will be introduced (as soon as 2010) for major business operating in the state;
• In line with South Australia’s Strategic Plan 2007, greenhouse gas emissions will need to be reduced by at least 60 percent by 2050. Thus, aggressive reduction targets will be progressively imposed on business over the coming years;
• Industry will also embrace renewable energy and increase usage to 20 percent by 2014.

South Australia has committed to establish a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010. Additionally, South Australia’s Strategic Plan commits the state to:

• Meet the Kyoto target (108 percent of 1990 levels) by 2012;
• Increase the use of public transport to 10 percent by 2018;
• Reduce South Australia’s ecological foot print by 30 percent by 2050;
• Improve the energy efficiency of Government buildings by 25 percent by 2014;
• Reduce total emissions from the state Government operations by 60 percent by 30 June 2020;
• Purchase a minimum of 20 percent Green Power by 1 January 2008;
• Improved energy efficiency for new housing;
• Convert 50 percent of State Government cars to more environmentally friendly fuels.

Reference: Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007. Tackling Climate Change: South Australia’s Greenhouse Strategy

New South Wales

The State has committed to a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010.

• NSW Government has committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from 158.2 million tonnes (2005 level) to 63.3 million tonnes by 2050. Such a target will affect all levels of business;
• Under the NSW Greenhouse Gas Abatement Scheme, electricity retailers must meet mandatory scheme will have a flow-on effect to all levels of business;
• All new residential development is required in reduction in greenhouse gas emissions, compared to the NSW average.

The Government has also implemented strategies to reduce business uncertainty by establishing carbon constraints in order to promote investment and innovation. This decision provides a clear signal of intent, assists industry risks management, provides investor confidence and promotes technical innovation in a carbon constrained future.

NSW is also committed to:

• Meet Kyoto target (108 percent of 1990 levels) by 2012;
• Achieve energy efficiency requirements for new housing;
• Introducing a green vehicle registration program to allow drivers to offset their vehicle emissions.

Reference: The NSW Greenhouse Plan 2005. NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change

Victoria

Large corporations are forced to set reduction targets for their energy consumption through the Environment and Resource Efficiency Plans (EREP) Program.

• A pilot program that required greenhouse gas emissions reporting and disclosure has been implemented in 25 companies;
• EPA Works’ Approval and Licensing are required to implement best practice with respect to greenhouse gas emissions;
• Landmark Climate Change Bill to be introduced requiring greenhouse gas abatement, and development of ecoefficiency standards for industry;
• Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050 (from 121.9 million tonnes in 2005 to 48.8 million tonnes in 2050). This reduction target will have a flow-on effect to all levels of business;
• Mandating five star environmental ratings for all new Government offices;
• Increase Victorian renewable energy generation to 10 percent by 2016;
• The EPA Greenhouse Program is the first regulatory greenhouse and energy efficiency program for industry in Australia requiring the implementation of best practices with respect to greenhouse gas emissions and energy audits for existing licensed premises.

The State Government has stated it will establish a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010.

It has also committed to:

• Meet the Kyoto target (108 percent of 1990 levels) by 2012;
• Achieve energy efficiency requirements for new housing.

Reference: Sustainability Action Statement 2006.  Victorian Climate Change Program

Western Australia

The Western Australia’s Greenhouse Strategy (2004) defines several objectives for its response to global climate change.

The State is committed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050.

• Major industrial greenhouse gas procedures required to report their emissions annually along with their reduction strategies;
• Large and medium sized power consumers forced to comply with a mandatory energy efficiency scheme;
• The WA Government is committed to reduce green house gas emissions from 71 million tonnes (2007 level) to approximately 26 million tonnes by 2050. This reduction target will have a flow-on effect to all levels of business;
• Emission reduction strategies and targets have been developed for key sectors of the economy.

The Government will work to minimise its own contribution by demonstrating emission reductions which will impact on the supply chain of business to the government.

A Greenhouse Abatement fund will be created to hold and deal with organic sequestration rights and credits generated by
Government institutions.

Reference: Premier’s Climate Change Action Statement. Climate change: Making Decisions for the Future (PDF). WA Department of Environmentand Conservation

Queensland

Queensland will:

Reduce emissions by at least 60 percent by 2050 (from 157 million tones in 2005 to 62.8 in 2050). This reduction target will have a flow-on effect to all levels of business;

• Aim for renewable and low-emission energy target of 10 percent by 2020;
• Introduce additional mandatory reporting (as soon as 2010) for medium and major businesses operating in Queensland;
• Progressively impose aggressive emission reduction targets on business;
• Introduce a Queensland Carbon Offsets Policy to ensure that industries are ready for any emissions trading scheme introduced nationally.

Queensland Government Environmental Offsets Policy (PDF)

The Queensland Government is also committed to:

• Establish a feed-in tariff which will pay consumers for energy they contribute to the electricity grid from a solar panel system;
• Ensure new commercial buildings reach a minimum four-star energy efficiency rating from 2010 under the Australian Building Greenhouse Rating Scheme;
• Achieving carbon neutrality for Government office buildings by 2020;
• Incorporating into development assessment processes under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 a State Planning Policy to ensure climate change issues are addressed;
• Ensure new houses install non-electric water heaters;
• Phase out the use of electric hot water systems in existing homes from 2010;
• Introduce a system of motor vehicle transfer duty requirements based on the number of cylinders in an effort to reduce emissions.

Reference: Climate Smart 2050 Queensland Climate Change Strategy. Environmental Protection Agency Queensland