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AUSTRALIA’S RISING
GREENHOUSE GAS
EMISSIONS
CLIMATECOUNCIL.ORG.AU
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© Climate Council of Australia Ltd 2018
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Working paper: Australia’s rising greenhouse gas emissions.
Authors: Greg Bourne, Andrew Stock, Will Steffen, Petra Stock and Louis
Brailsford.
We would like to thank Anna Malos (ClimateWorks) for her thorough review.
—
Cover image: “Loy Yang 2” by Flickr user Greenstone Girl licensed under
CC BY-NC 2.0.
This report is printed on 100% recycled paper.
Greg Bourne
Climate Councillor
Louis Brailsford
Researcher
Petra Stock
Senior Energy and Climate
Solutions Analyst
Contents
Professor Andrew Stock
Climate Councillor
Key Findings ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………ii
1. Introduction ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..1
2. Australia’s rising emissions………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. 6
3. Assessing Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target…………………………………………………………………………………. 9
4. Sector Profles:………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 12
Electricity 12
Transport 15
Stationary Energy 18
Agriculture 21
Fugitive Emissions 24
Industrial Processes 26
Waste 28
5. The electricity sector can and should do more ……………………………………………………………………………………………..30
References ……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 32
Image Credits ………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. 34
Professor Will Steffen
Climate Councillor
Authors:
CLIMATE COUNCIL i
ii
Key Findings
Australia’s emissions are
rising and projected to
continue increasing without
credible and comprehensive
climate and energy policy.
› Australia’s greenhouse gas
emissions have increased for
the past three years, reaching
556.4 MtCO2e in the year to
December 2017.
› Australia’s greenhouse gas
emission levels are very close
to all-time highs (excluding
land use emissions).
› Eight of Australia’s major sectors
are responsible for Australia’s
rising emissions. These sectors
are electricity, transport,
stationary energy, agriculture,
fugitive emissions, industrial
processes, waste and land use.
› The electricity sector is the
biggest polluter accounting
for 33% of our emissions.
1 2
Australia’s emissions
reduction target is woefully
inadequate to protect
Australians from intensifying
climate change.
› Australia’s 26-28% emissions
reduction target for 2030 on a
2005 baseline is not adequate
to meet the Paris Climate
Agreement targets.
› Australia’s share of the
remaining global carbon
budget is about 5,500 Mt CO2e.
› If Australia’s emissions
continue at current rates we
have only 10 years remaining
before we will completely
exhaust our carbon budget
before 2030.
› If other countries were to adopt
climate policies similar to
Australia’s then global average
temperature rise could reach
over 3°C and up to 4°C. A four
degree world would present
serious challenges for human
survival, placing billions of
lives at risk.
› A more appropriate target for
Australia in line with the science
would be a 45-65% emissions
reduction target by 2030, as
recommended by the Climate
Change Authority and zero net
emissions well before 2050.
WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
KEY FINDINGS iii
3 4 5
Applying a pro-rata emissions
reduction target of 26-28% by
2030 to each sector is not the
most cost-effective way
to reduce emissions.
› The Federal Government’s
National Energy Guarantee
proposes to lock in a 26%
emissions reduction target
for the electricity sector. This
approach implies other sectors
would also be expected to
reduce their emissions by 26%
by 2030 (on 2005 levels).
› Applying a pro-rata reduction
target to each sector would
mean signifcant new policies
and emissions reductions
are required for every sector
between now and 2030.
› The electricity sector is better
placed to reduce emissions at
lower cost than other sectors,
such as agriculture and fugitive
emissions. Reducing emissions
in these sectors will potentially
be very costly and challenging,
whereas options to reduce
electricity sector emissions
are readily available and cost
effective (e.g. renewable energy
and storage technologies).
Australia is currently not
even on track to meet its
current inadequate emissions
reduction target for 2030.
› The electricity sector would be
required to reduce cumulative
emissions by only 8% compared
to business as usual from 2018
and 2030 in order to achieve a
pro rata reduction.
› Other than waste, all sectors will
be required to proportionally
reduce emissions by far more
than the electricity sector
(compared to business as usual).
› Transport emissions and
fugitive emissions would need
to be cut by around a third.
› Stationary energy (excluding
electricity) emissions would
need to be cut by 31%.
› Agriculture emissions would
need to be reduced by 23%
and emissions from industrial
processes, which includes
chemical and metal production,
by 22%. Waste emissions would
only need to be cut by 5%.
The electricity sector can
and should do more to
reduce emissions.
› Cost-effective technologies
such as energy efciency,
renewable energy and storage
are readily available and can
be rapidly deployed to reduce
electricity emissions, creating
the time for policies in other
sectors to be established and
implemented.
› Several studies have consistently
found that there are no technical
barriers to Australia achieving
secure, reliable power from
a very high proportion of
renewable electricity.
› In contrast, there are far fewer
opportunities to rapidly reduce
emissions from other sectors,
especially agriculture and
fugitive emissions.
climatecouncil.org.au
1. Introduction
In 2017, Australia’s greenhouse gas
emissions increased for the third
consecutive year, approaching
all-time highs (excluding the land
use – LULUCF – sector) (Australian
Government 2018). In order to limit
global temperature rise and tackle
increasing extreme weather fuelled
by climate change, the Federal
Government has committed to the
near-universally agreed Paris Climate
Agreement. As part of this agreement,
the Federal Government has set
in place an initial target to reduce
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
by 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030
(Department of the Environment and
Energy 2015).
Australia’s 2030 emissions reduction target
of 26-28% falls signifcantly short of what
is required to effectively tackle climate
change. The Climate Change Authority
recommended a 45-65% emissions
reduction target for 2030 below 2005
levels, based on scientifc evidence, what
comparable countries are doing and what
is in the best interests of Australia (Climate
Change Authority 2015). Recent analysis
implies that Australia will not meet its
woefully inadequate 26-28% emissions
reduction target (UNEP 2017).
If all other countries were to have similar
climate policies to Australia’s, then global
average temperature could reach over 3°C
and up to 4°C above pre-industrial levels
(Climate Action Tracker 2018). A four degree
world would make it very difcult for
human civilisation to cope, putting billions
of lives in danger (New et al. 2011).
Australia is already experiencing the
impacts of climate change. The world
has just experienced the hottest fveyear period (2013-2017) ever recorded.
This record is part of a sharp, long-term
upswing in global temperatures, with
17 of the 18 hottest years on record all
occurring in this century. Increasing global
temperatures, driven primarily by higher
carbon dioxide levels from the burning
of fossil fuels, is exacerbating extreme
weather events around the globe and in
Australia. Heatwaves are now hotter, lasting
longer and occurring more often. Rising
ocean temperatures are triggering coral
bleaching events on the Great Barrier Reef.
1 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
INTRODUCTION
Climate change is also increasing extreme
bushfre weather in southern and eastern
Australia, while climate change is likely
worsening drought conditions in southwest
and southeast Australia. Across Australia,
extreme weather events are projected
to worsen as the climate warms further,
increasing the vulnerability of Australia’s
ageing energy infrastructure to blackouts.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have
increased for a third consecutive year.
Figure 1: There are eight sectors that are responsible for Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. Note that the land use
(LULUCF) sector was classifed as a carbon sink in 2017. Due to uncertainties around the calculation of LULUCF emissions, it
is not certain that the LULUCF sector actually constituted a carbon sink.
Source: Adapted from Australian Government (2018).
-4%
13%
7%
10%
19% 18%
35%
EMISSIONS CONTRIBUTION BY SECTOR, AUSTRALIA, YEAR TO DECEMBER 2017
2%
Electricity
Stationary energy
excluding electricity
Transport
Fugitive emissions
Industrial processes
Agriculture
Waste
LULUCF*
* LULUCF refers to land use, land use change and forestry emissions
Australia has eight major sectors responsible
for the majority of our greenhouse gas
emissions. These sectors are electricity,
transport, stationary energy (fuels like gas
consumed directly rather than used for
electricity), agriculture, fugitive emissions
(gases leaked or vented from fossil fuel
extraction and use), industrial processes,
waste, and land use, land use change and
forestry (LULUCF).
2
There are only a handful of Federal
Government policies designed to achieve
emissions reductions.
In electricity, the Federal Government’s
National Energy Guarantee proposes
emissions reductions of 26% from the
National Electricity Market (which covers
all states and territories except Western
Australia and the Northern Territory)
(Energy Security Board 2017).
The Federal Government’s Emissions
Reduction Fund has helped fund a number
of emissions reduction projects across several
sectors, including agriculture and waste.
However, most of these projects are yet to
deliver any emissions reductions (Clean
Energy Regulator 2017; Climate Council 2016).
Only 30.5 million tonnes of carbon abatement
have so far been delivered out of the total 191.7
million tonnes that were contracted under the
fund (The Guardian 2018).
The National Energy Productivity Plan aims
to improve Australia’s energy productivity
– calculated by dividing Australia’s Gross
Domestic Product by energy use – by 40%
between 2015 and 2030 (COAG Energy
Council 2015).
Australia has also begun restricting the
amount of hydrofluorocarbons permitted
to be imported into Australia between now
and 2036. This policy is expected to lead to
an 85% reduction in these emissions by
2036 (Department of the Environment and
Energy 2018a).
There has also been proposals from the
Federal Government to improve vehicle
emissions and fuel efciency standards
that may help reduce car and light vehicle
emissions (Australian Government 2017).
These policies are at an early stage of
development. Current and proposed federal
policies to reduce emissions from other
sectors – stationary energy, fugitive emissions,
industrial processes or waste – are lacking.
Australia will not meet its woefully
inadequate 2030 emissions reduction
target under current policies.
Figure 2: Climate change is worsening extreme weather events,
posing a threat to energy infrastructure, such as these transmission
lines near Churchill Park in 2009.
3 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
INTRODUCTION
The National Energy Guarantee places a
greater burden on sectors of the economy
where emissions reductions will be more
challenging and more expensive.
Under current policy settings, Australia will
not meet its 26-28% emissions reduction
target (UNEP 2017). Australia lacks an
overarching credible plan to reach its
emissions reduction targets across the
economy. In fact, Australia’s emissions are
projected to be higher in 2030 than they
were in 2017 (Australian Government 2017).
The Australian Government’s emissions
projections which take into account the
National Energy Productivity Plan, the
Emissions Reduction Fund and the phasedown of hydrofluorocarbons still see
Australia’s emissions rising from 556.4
MtCO2e in 2017 to 566 MtCO2e in 2030
(excluding LULUCF) (Australian
Government 2017). This is 8-9% above
2005 levels (excluding LULUCF).
The Federal Government’s emissions
reduction target included in the National
Energy Guarantee is designed to reduce
emissions in the National Electricity Market
by 26%. This implies that all other sectors
of the economy will also have to reduce
emissions by 26-28%. Cutting emissions
from these sectors will be far more expensive
and difcult (ClimateWorks 2017). Emissions
are growing strongly in each of these other
sectors (other than waste). However, by
quickly transitioning to renewable energy
and storage, the electricity sector can and
should be responsible for a far larger amount
of emissions reductions, reducing the burden
on other sectors such as agriculture and
stationary energy.
This working paper profles seven of
Australia’s largest emitting sectors, focusing
on whether emissions are going up or
down in each sector and the reasons for
the observed trends. It also assesses what
opportunities and policies each sector has to
reduce emissions. This working paper also
analyses the magnitude of the emissions
reductions required between now and 2030
if each sector were to reduce emissions
by 26-28% below 2005 levels. The working
paper concludes that Australia’s emissions
reduction target is far too weak to meet
our commitments under the Paris Climate
Agreement and we are not on track to meet
even this weak target.
Although land use emissions are an
important source of greenhouse gas
emissions, they are not explored in detail
in this working paper due to signifcant
variability and unreliability in data and
methodologies (Climate Council 2016).
4
Elec | tricit | y | 33% | Ver | y goo | d | Down | No | ||||||||
Stat | ionar | y ene | rgy | 17% | Mod | erate | Up | No | ||||||||
(exc | ludin | g elec | tricit | y) | ||||||||||||
Agr | icultu | re | 13% | Di‚ | cult | Up | No | |||||||||
Ind | ustria | l proc | esses | 6% | Mod | erate | Up | No | ||||||||
Was | te | 2% | Goo | d | Up | Ye | s | |||||||||
Secto | r | emi | ssion | s in 2 | 017 | emi | ssion | s cut | s | un | der c | urren | t poli | cies? | in 20 | 17 |
Pro | ortio | n of | Pro | spect | s | On | track | for 2 | 6-28 | % | Emis | sions | ||||
Di‚ | cult | |||||||||||||||
2 | ||||||||||||||||
Au | strali | a’s to | tal e | missi | ons i | n 20 | 17 | Aust | ralia’ | s emi | ssio | ns ro | se by | : | ||
A | S | R | A | I | ’S | E | MI | S | I | N | : | |||||
* L | ULUC | F refe | rs to l | and u | se, la | nd us | e cha | nge an | d for | estry e | missi | ons | ||||
EMI | SSIO | NS |
Transport
Fugitive emissions
18%
10%
greenhouse gas
Moderate/
Di‚cult
Up
Up
for further
No
No
emissions reduction by 2030
trajectory
556.4 MtCOe
(excluding LULUCF*):
1.5% IN 2017
ARE WE ON TRACK?
Figure 3: The electricity sector is responsible for 33% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions and emissions in the sector fell in
2017. Emissions increased in every other sector. The electricity sector has the best prospects for further emissions reductions.
5 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
2. Australia’s rising
emissions
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
are rising. 2017 was the third
consecutive year that Australia’s
emissions have risen, reaching
556.4 MtCO2e (excluding LULUCF
emissions)1. This is approaching all
time highs.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
increased by 1.5% in 2017 from 2016, largely
driven up by increasing liquefed natural
gas (LNG) exports, which caused increases
in stationary energy emissions and fugitive
emissions. The coal seam gas LNG industry
also kept electricity emissions higher than
they otherwise would have been, as gas
production consumes signifcant quantities
of electricity.
There are eight major sectors responsible
for Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions:
electricity, transport, stationary energy,
agriculture, fugitive emissions, industrial
processes, waste and land use, land use
change and forestry (LULUCF).
Emissions from most sectors have been
increasing since 1990, the year the frst
United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on
Climate Change report was published. Since
1990, electricity emissions have increased by
42%, transport emissions by 63%, stationary
energy emissions by 47%, fugitive emissions
by 49% and industrial processes by 37%. In
contrast agricultural emissions declined by
11% and waste emissions declined by 37%
(Australian Government 2018).
Federal Government projections show that
emissions in all sectors except electricity,
industrial processes and waste are expected
to increase to 2030 without further policies
or action (Australian Government 2017).
These projections incorporate the effects of
existing policies such as the National Energy
Productivity Plan, the Emissions Reduction
Fund and the legislated phase down of
hydrofluorocarbons. The projections do
not include the proposed National Energy
Guarantee which only applies to the
electricity sector.
Changing Australia’s worrying trajectory
will require credible and comprehensive
emissions reduction policies that cover all
sectors of the economy.
Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions
are approaching all time highs.
1 Data on Australia’s total emissions in 2017 is from Australian Government (2018) Quarterly Update of Australia’s National
Greenhouse Gas Inventory: December 2017. 18 May 2018. Accessed at: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/fles/
resources/7b9824b8-49cc-4c96-b5d6-f03911e9a01d/fles/nggi-quarterly-update-dec-2017-revised.pdf
CHAPTER 02 6
AUSTRALIA’S RISING EMISSIONS
LULUCF*
Fugitive
emissions
Waste
Transport
Industrial processes
Stationary energy
excluding electricity
Agriculture
Electricity
AUSTRALIA’S GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS, 1990 TO 2030
2000 2005 2010 2015 2020
Mt CO
2-e
1990 1995 2025 2030
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
* LULUCF refers to land use, land use change and forestry emissions
Figure 4: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are projected to be similar to 2017 levels in 2030 under current policies.
Source: Adapted from Australian Government (2017).
7 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Sector | Annual emissions excluding LULUCF (Year to Dec 2017) (MtCO2e) |
% of Australia’s emissions (Year to Dec 2017) |
% increase (Year to Dec 2017) |
Prospects for emissions reductions to 2030: |
Total | 556.4 | 100 | + 1.5 | |
Electricity | 184.5 | 33 | – 3.1 | Very good |
Transport | 100.0 | 18 | + 3.4 | Moderate/Difcult |
Stationary energy (excluding electricity) |
96.9 | 17 | + 3.8 | Moderate |
Agriculture | 71.2 | 13 | + 1.0 | Difcult |
Fugitive emissions | 55.4 | 10 | + 10.5 | Difcult |
Industrial processes | 35.8 | 6 | + 2.9 | Moderate |
Waste | 12.6 | 2 | + 1.0 | Good |
Source: Australian Government 2017; 2018.
Table 1: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions rose for the third consecutive year in 2017, driven by signifcant increases in
emissions from transport, stationary energy and fugitive emissions.
Figure 5: Renewable energy and storage projects, such as the Kidston solar and pumped hydro project in Queensland (below),
can drive signifcant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
CHAPTER 02 8
AUSTRALIA’S RISING EMISSIONS
3. Assessing Australia’s
2030 emissions
reduction target
What is Australia’s fair share?
The higher the amount of greenhouse gases
like carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere,
the higher global temperature will rise. Fossil
fuels, like coal, oil and gas, are the primary
driver of the increasing amount of CO2 in the
atmosphere. It is widely accepted that keeping
an increase in global average temperature to
well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels
and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature
increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels
is critical if we are to limit devastating climate
impacts on our health, our economy and on
natural ecosystems. This is reflected in the
Paris Climate Agreement which Australia
has ratifed. Just over half this level of
temperature rise (1°C) has already occurred,
resulting in accelerated climate impacts like
worsening heatwaves, bushfres, intense
rainfall and and rising sea levels.
The carbon budget is an approach that can
tell us how much additional CO2 can be
“spent” over coming years while still having a
strong chance of staying below a certain rise
in global temperature. It is calculated using
probabilities: the less CO2 emitted, the greater
the chance of limiting temperature rise.
Globally, cumulative emissions since the
beginning of the industrial revolution
through 2017 are estimated to have been 575
billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (measured
as gigatonnes of carbon as CO2, or Gt C). This
leaves a remaining global carbon budget of
425 Gt C before the world needs to reach net
zero emissions. These calculations are based
on the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change AR5 (2013) global carbon budget of
1,000 Gt C (emitted as CO2), which reflects
a 66% chance of limiting warming to 2°C.
Non-CO2 greenhouse gases are assumed to
be reduced at the same rate as CO2 is reduced
to meet the overall carbon budget.
Australia’s share of the remaining global
carbon budget is around 5,500 Mt CO2e.
This share is calculated based on Australia’s
share of the global population. If Australia’s
emissions continue at current rates (556
Mt CO2e in 2017) we have barely 10 years
remaining of our carbon budget and will
completely exhaust it before 2030.
“Unburnable Carbon:
Why we need to leave
fossil fuels in the ground”.
For more information about the
carbon budget, please refer to the
Climate Council report:
9 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
The Australian Government’s 2030
emissions reduction target
The Australian Government has committed
to a 26-28% emissions reduction target for
2030 (below 2005 levels).
Under the National Energy Guarantee the
Federal Government has proposed that
the electricity sector would reduce its
emissions by a ‘pro-rata’ share of 26% below
2005 electricity sector levels by 2030. This
approach implies that other sectors would
also be required to reduce emissions to 26%
below 2005 levels by 2030.
The Federal Government has yet to confrm
its methodology and approach for how the
national emissions reduction target and
the cumulative emissions budget for the
nation, and each sector, will be calculated.
International negotiations may also have an
impact on these methodologies.
In Table 2 we have calculated the emissions
reductions required for other sectors of the
economy if these sectors were required to
meet their equivalent 26% pro-rata share.
For many sectors such as fugitive emissions
and transport, signifcant reductions are
required before 2030. Land use, land use
change and forestry emissions are excluded.
These calculations are based on the limited
information available from the Federal
Government, and assume each sector
reduces its emissions to 26% below the
sector’s emissions in 2005. The calculations
are intended to give an indication of the
emissions reductions required for other
sectors. These numbers are approximations
due to the lack of detailed methodology from
the Federal Government regarding how its
2030 target would be calculated.
Sector | 2018 – 2030 cumulative emissions reduction required (compared to BAU projections) to achieve 26% below 2005 levels by 2030 |
Annual emissions reduction required between 2021 – 2030 |
Actual: current annual emissions growth year to December 2017 (Australian Government 2018) |
Total | 15% | – 2.2% | + 1.5% |
Electricity | 8% | – 1.8% | – 3.1% |
Transport | 33% | – 5.0% | + 3.4% |
Stationary energy (excluding electricity) |
31% | – 5.3% | + 3.8% |
Agriculture | 23% | – 2.9% | +1.0% |
Fugitive emissions | 33% | – 5.5% | +10.5% |
Industrial processes | 22% | – 3.5% | +2.9% |
Waste | 5% | – 0.5% | +1.0% |
Note: Calculations in columns 2 and 3 are based on a 26% reduction on 2005 levels by 2030, achieved via a linear trajectory
from 2020 to 2030. Business as usual is based on Australian Government projections (Australian Government 2017).
Table 2: The cumulative emissions reduction burden on different sectors if Australia is to achieve a 26% emissions
reduction across every sector, as is implied under the Federal Government’s proposed National Energy Guarantee.
CHAPTER 03 10
ASSESSING AUSTRALIA’S 2030 EMISSIONS REDUCTION TARGET
Table 2 assumes the Australian Government’s
emissions projections contained within its
most recent update “Australia’s Emissions
projections 2017”, to be ‘business as usual’
(BAU) (Australian Government 2017).
From 2018 the projected cumulative
emissions through 2030 will exceed 6,000
Mt CO2e if emissions are reduced on a linear
trajectory from 2018 to 2030 (assuming
10%
0%
15%
20%
25%
30%
35%
5%
Electricity
Stationary energy
excluding electricity
Transport
Fugitive
emissions
Industrial
processes
Agriculture
Waste
% of Total National
Abatement 2020-2030
Reduction vs BAU
Emissions 2020-2030
that Australia meets the weaker end of its
emission reduction target range – 26% on
a 2005 baseline). This amount far exceeds
Australia’s remaining share of the global
carbon budget.
Furthermore, reducing emissions by 26% on
a 2005 baseline would still leave Australia
with a signifcant task of reaching net zero
emissions well before 2050.
Figure 6: This graph shows the national abatement challenge to 2030 (to attain a 26% reduction nationally compared to
2005) cumulatively by sector (between 2020 and 2030) and the % reduction in each sector versus BAU. This demonstrates
how little the electricity sector is being asked to do over the next decade. By contrast, transport and stationary energy
sectors have far greater burdens.
11 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
CHAPTER 04
SECTOR PROFILES
4. Sector Profles:
Electricity emissions are produced
by burning fossil fuels to produce
electricity. Fossil fuels include coal,
gas and oil (diesel).
Changes in emissions:
Electricity is the largest source of greenhouse
gas emissions in Australia, responsible for
33% of emissions. The sector produced 184.5
MtCO2e in 2017, which was 3.1% lower than
2016 levels (Australian Government 2018).
Electricity emissions have decreased by 6.4%
since 2005, when the sector was responsible
for 197 MtCO2e.
Why are emissions changing?
Increasing electricity demand drove up
electricity emissions until 2009, when
emissions began to fall as higher levels
of renewable energy displaced less
competitive old coal fred power stations.
The introduction of the Carbon Pricing
Mechanism in 2012 also drove emissions
reductions. Electricity demand also fell
over this period due to increased uptake of
rooftop solar, greater energy efciency and
the closure of some large industrial facilities.
Once the Carbon Pricing Mechanism was
repealed in 2014, electricity emissions began
to increase again until the Hazelwood brown
coal fred power station closed, causing a fall
in electricity emissions in 2017 (Australian
Government 2018).
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Down
Emissions projections
to 2030: Down
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Very good
Electricity
12
What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing electricity emissions by 26% below
2005 levels only requires the sector to reduce
cumulative emissions to 2030 by 8% from
current levels compared to business as usual.
Electricity emissions are currently projected
to fall before 2020 as new renewable energy
projects are built to fll the Renewable
Energy Target (RET) and then flat-line
between 2020 and 2030 (Australian
Government 2017). These projections do
not take into account the effect of the
proposed National Energy Guarantee.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
At the national level, the RET, complemented
by investments from the Clean Energy
Finance Corporation and grants from the
Australian Renewable Energy Agency, have
driven increased investment in renewable
energy such as wind and solar. These
policies, along with the now abolished
Carbon Pricing Mechanism, have driven
signifcant growth in renewable energy and
reduced reliance on brown coal over the last
decade and have helped to reduce emissions
from the electricity sector. The cost of
renewable energy technologies has fallen
signifcantly over a similar timeframe, driven
by economies of scale, global cost reductions
and greater experience in installations
(IRENA 2017).
The Renewable Energy Target will be
fulflled by new capacity by 2020. After 2020,
the Federal Government is proposing to
introduce the National Energy Guarantee
(Energy Security Board 2017). In its current
form, the National Energy Guarantee will lock
in an inadequate emissions reduction target
of 26% by 2030 (Climate Council 2018). The
National Energy Guarantee may not even
achieve 26% emissions reductions across
the whole electricity sector as the proposed
policy would not apply to Western Australia
and the Northern Territory, emissions
intensive trade exposed companies would
be exempt and offsets could be included
(Climate Council 2018).
State and territory governments in the
ACT, Tasmania, Queensland, Victoria, New
South Wales and South Australia have all set
emissions reduction targets of at least 100%
(or, ‘net zero’ emissions) by 2050. Several
states and territories have also set renewable
energy targets including the ACT (100% by
2020), Tasmania (100% by 2022), Victoria
(40% by 2025), Queensland (50% by 2030)
and the Northern Territory (50% by 2030)
(Climate Council 2018). Along with projects
already contracted, renewable energy to be
built through reverse auctions conducted in
Victoria and Queensland this year may go
most of the way towards ensuring the sector
achieves its 2030 target. If the frst round of
these two states’ initiatives are subsumed by
the National Energy Guarantee in its current
form, these states would account for much
of new renewable energy growth over the
decade to 2030 (Green Energy Markets 2018).
Electricity emissions can be reduced
further with energy efciency, renewable
energy and storage technologies.
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What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
There are opportunities to signifcantly
reduce emissions from the electricity
sector. Fossil fuels can be replaced overtime
by renewable energy like wind and solar,
together with other technologies such as
energy efciency, demand management
and energy storage (like batteries and
pumped hydro) (ClimateWorks 2017). These
technologies could reduce electricity
emissions signifcantly over the next decade.
Numerous studies have consistently found
there are no technical barriers to Australia
achieving secure, reliable power from a very
high proportion of renewable electricity
(AECOM 2012; AEMO 2013; CSIRO 2017;
Elliston et al 2013; Finkel 2017; Lenzen et al
2016; Stocks et al 2017; Teske et al 2016).
If the electricity sector were to deliver higher
emissions abatement to reduce emissions at
least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030, it would
lower the emissions reduction task for other
sectors signifcantly. Given the current rate of
renewable energy construction and industry
momentum, along with the challenges to
reducing emissions in the other sectors, the
electricity sector can and should carry more
of the nation’s emissions reduction burden.
Figure 7: Coal and gas power stations, such as South Australia’s
Torrens Island gas power station (pictured), are responsible for
most of Australia’s electricity sector emissions.
There are opportunities to
signifcantly reduce emissions
from the electricity sector.
14
Transport emissions are produced from
the combustion of fuels (like petrol,
diesel, aviation and bunker fuel) for
transportation, including road, rail,
domestic aviation, domestic shipping,
off-road recreational vehicles and gas
pipeline transport.
Emissions from the production and
refning of oil-based fuels and electricity
for vehicles and rail are not included in this
sector’s emissions, nor are emissions from
international flights.
Changes in emissions:
Transport is currently the second largest
source of emissions in Australia, responsible
for 18% of the country’s emissions. The
sector emitted 100 MtCO2e in 2017, 3.4%
above 2016 levels (Australian Government
2018). Cars are responsible for almost
half (44MtCO2e) of transport emissions
(Australian Government 2017).
Emissions have increased by 22% since 2005,
when the sector was responsible for just 82
MtCO2e (Australian Government 2017).
Why are emissions going up?
Transport emissions have been steadily
rising as population growth has led to a
higher number of cars on the road, while
increased demand for freight is driving
up truck emissions. Domestic air travel
continues to increase, leading to an
increase in aviation emissions (Australian
Government 2017).
Transport
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Up
Emissions projections
to 2030: Up
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Moderate/Difcult
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What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing transport emissions by 26% below
2005 levels requires the sector to cut its
emissions by a third by 2030 compared to
business as usual.
Transport emissions are expected to
continue increasing until 2030, largely
driven by the forecast increase in domestic
aviation and heavy vehicle, passenger
and freight emissions. Improvements in
vehicle efciency and greater uptake of
electric vehicles are projected to reduce
car and light commercial vehicles’ share of
transport emissions between 2025 and 2030
(Australian Government 2017). Under current
policy settings and projections, Australia will
not achieve a 26% reduction in emissions
below 2005 levels in the transport sector by
2030 (Australian Government 2017).
Public transport investment and
moving towards electric cars, bikes,
trucks and buses can help reduce
transport emissions.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
The Federal Government is currently
considering new fuel efciency, fuel quality
and vehicle emissions standards, which
would help to reduce emissions from the
transport sector if implemented (Department
of Infrastructure, Regional Development
and Cities 2018). Australia remains one of a
minority of countries without such standards
and the only OECD country without an
ofcial fuel efciency target (ICCT 2015).
16
Figure 8: Aviation emissions from domestic travel are projected to continue rising to 2030.
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
There are some opportunities to reduce
transport emissions through mode shift
to public and active transport alternatives,
and moving towards electric cars, bikes,
trucks and buses. The cost of electric
vehicles continues to drop and with strong
policies, current technologies could lead to a
signifcant reduction in emissions from roadbased transport (IEA 2017). However, the
turnover of vehicles is slow, restricting the
speed at which electric vehicles can replace
fuel combustion engines. The amount of
emission reductions achieved by a shift to
electric vehicles depends on when policies
such as vehicle emissions standards are
introduced and how rapidly the electricity
generation sector converts from fossil fuel to
renewable energy sources.
Achieving emissions reductions in aviation
and shipping will be more difcult but could
potentially be achieved through greater use
of biofuels.
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Stationary energy emissions (also called
direct combustion) are produced from
burning fuels for energy used directly
(rather than to generate electricity),
either in the form of heat, steam or
pressure. This includes emissions
from energy production, mining,
manufacturing, commercial and
residential buildings (mainly from
heating), agriculture, forestry, fshing
and the military.
Emissions from electricity generation and
transport are excluded from this sector,
which have their own categories.
Changes in emissions:
Stationary energy is currently the third
largest source of greenhouse gas emissions
in Australia, responsible for 17% of emissions.
The sector produced 96.9 MtCO2e in
2017, 3.8% above 2016 levels (Australian
Government 2018). Manufacturing is
responsible for one third of these emissions
(33%), followed by direct energy use (23%),
buildings (19%) and mining (16%) (Australian
Government 2017).
Stationary energy emissions have increased
by 18.2% since 2005, when the sector was
responsible for 82 MtCO2e.
Why are emissions going up?
Stationary energy emissions from LNG and
mining operations have been increasing
due to a large increase in the number of
LNG production plants and higher demand
for commodities such as coal and iron ore
over the past decade or more (Australian
Government 2017; 2018).
Stationary Energy
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Up
Emissions projections
to 2030: Up
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Moderate
18
What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing stationary energy emissions by
26% below 2005 levels requires the sector
to reduce cumulative emissions to 2030
by 31% from current levels compared to
business as usual.
Emissions are projected to increase to 2020
as Australia’s LNG production and exports
continue to rise, while mining emissions
are predicted to rise until 2022. Thereafter
emissions are expected to be broadly flat,
with a fall in building emissions offset
by an increase in agricultural emissions
(Australian Government 2017). Under
current policy settings and projections,
Australia will not achieve a 26% reduction
in emissions in the stationary energy
sector by 2030.
Stationary energy emissions are on the
rise due to LNG, coal and iron ore exports.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
The National Energy Productivity Plan aims
to improve Australia’s energy productivity by
40% between 2015 and 2030 (COAG Energy
Council 2015). So far, there have been few
policies or regulations implemented as
part of this plan, other than Clean Energy
Finance Corporation funding for energy
efciency projects (COAG Energy Council
2017). A number of state and territory
governments have also established energy
efciency and productivity programs, while
the Federal Government have established
greenhouse and energy minimum standards
for appliances and energy efciency
requirements for new non-residential
buildings (Department of the Environment
and Energy 2018b).
The Emissions Reduction Fund could also
help reduce stationary energy emissions,
although to date few projects have been
implemented (Clean Energy Regulator
2017). These programs will help reduce the
emissions intensity of a range of sectors,
including stationary energy emissions from
manufacturing, buildings and mining.
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Figure 9: Stationary energy emissions have been increasing over the past decade largely as a result of increasing LNG
production (pictured) and mining operations.
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
Reducing our reliance on fossil fuels and
increasing our use of renewable energy can
help reduce stationary energy emissions.
Improvements in energy efciency can
also help reduce emissions. For example,
renewable energy can be an alternative to
gas in many applications (ARENA 2015).
However, compared to the electricity sector,
reducing emissions from stationary energy
is often more expensive, and some
applications in manufacturing, buildings
and mining operations will require
further technological breakthroughs and
development (ClimateWorks 2017). The many
large LNG plants that have just been built are
costly to change and, with expected lives of
30 to 50 years, will make reductions in this
sector by 2030 difcult.
20
Agriculture emissions include methane
and nitrous oxide produced by the
digestive processes of animals (such as
cattle and sheep), manure management,
rice cultivation, agricultural soils and
feld burning of agricultural residues. It
also includes carbon dioxide emissions
produced by the application of
fertilizers, including urea and lime.
Emissions from agricultural machinery
are excluded from this sector as they are
included in another category. Methane and
nitrous oxide are the main type of agriculture
emissions. It should be noted that the
majority of carbon dioxide emissions from
agriculture are considered part of the natural
carbon cycle and are not counted.
Changes in emissions:
Agriculture is currently the fourth largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions in
Australia, responsible for 13% of Australia’s
emissions. The sector produced 71.2
MtCO2e in 2017, a 1% increase from 2016
(Australian Government 2018). Two-thirds of
agricultural emissions (46 MtCO2e) are the
result of grazing beef and sheep (Australian
Government 2017).
Emissions have decreased by 6.3% since
2005, when the sector was responsible for 76
MtCO2e.
Why are emissions going down?
Periods of low rainfall during the millennium
drought have reduced agricultural activity,
causing an overall fall in emissions from
the sector over the past 13 years (Australian
Government 2017).
Agriculture
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Down
Emissions projections
to 2030: Up
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Difcult
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What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing agriculture emissions by 26%
below 2005 levels requires the sector to reduce
cumulative emissions to 2030 by 23% from
current levels compared to business as usual.
Agricultural emissions are predicted to
increase up to 2030 due to “an assumed
return to average seasonal conditions”
and increased food demand (Australian
Government 2017). However, the effects of
climate change increase the likelihood that
average seasonal conditions will not return
(Climate Council 2015). Under current policy
settings, Australia is unlikely to achieve a 26%
reduction below 2005 levels in emissions in
the agriculture sector by 2030.
Reduced agricultural activity during
the millennium drought caused this
sector’s emissions to fall.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
The Federal Government’s Emissions
Reduction Fund (which succeeded the
Carbon Farming Initiative) has helped fund
a number of emissions reduction projects
across several sectors, including agriculture.
However, most of these projects have not yet
delivered any emissions reductions (Clean
Energy Regulator 2017; Climate Council
2016). Only 30.5 million tonnes of carbon
abatement have so far been delivered out
of the total 191.7 million tonnes that were
contracted under the fund (The Guardian
2018). This program was not provided
with any further funding in the Federal
Government’s 2018 budget (Sydney
Morning Herald 2018b).
22
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
There are limited opportunities to reduce
emissions in the agricultural sector.
Reducing emissions will require both change
to agricultural practices and signifcant
behavioural change. Possible solutions
include greater use of regenerative agriculture
and managed grazing (Hawken 2017).
Figure 10: Grazing beef and sheep are responsible for two thirds of Australia’s agriculture emissions.
Achieving emissions reductions in the sector
will be very difcult. Placing a signifcant
emissions reduction burden on agriculture
will place even more pressure on a sector that
is already doing it tough.
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Fugitive emissions are produced when
greenhouse gases like methane and
carbon dioxide are released (through
venting or leaks) during the extraction,
processing and delivery of fossil fuels.
It does not include emissions produced
when these fuels are burnt during the
generation of electricity, operating
mining equipment or transporting
fossil fuels, which are covered in
other categories.
Changes in emissions:
Fugitive emissions are the ffth largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions in
Australia, responsible for 10% of emissions.
The sector produced 55.4 MtCO2e in 2017,
a 10.5% increase from 2016 (Australian
Government 2018). Fugitive emissions are
mostly released from underground coal
mines, coal seam gas and conventional gas
production. Gas and coal production are
each responsible for around 43% of fugitive
emissions (Australian Government 2017).
Emissions have increased by 42.1% since
2005, when the sector was responsible for
39 MtCO2e.
Why are emissions going up?
Fugitive emissions have increased
signifcantly due to Australia’s increasing
LNG production and exports. When
gas is extracted, signifcant amounts of
greenhouse gases, particularly methane,
are released into the atmosphere (Australian
Government 2017; 2018).
Fugitive Emissions
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Up
Emissions projections
to 2030: Up
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Difcult
Fugitive
emissions
have increased
signifcantly
due to Australia’s
growing LNG
exports.
24
What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing fugitive emissions by 26% below
2005 levels requires the sector to reduce
cumulative emissions to 2030 by 33% from
current levels compared to business as usual.
LNG production is projected to drive further
increases in fugitive emissions to 2020 before
growing more slowly to 2030 (Australian
Government 2017). Under current policy
settings, Australia will not achieve a 26%
reduction in fugitive emissions below 2005
levels by 2030.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
Some states have introduced statewide
moratoriums on coal seam or
unconventional gas extraction including
Western Australia and Tasmania and it has
been legislatively prohibited in Victoria.
There are plans to ban unconventional gas
extraction in parts of Western Australia and
South Australia (Sydney Morning Herald
2018a). These policies will not reduce fugitive
emissions from current levels but they will
help to prevent further increases. In April
2018, the Northern Territory Government
lifted its moratorium on unconventional gas
exploration (Sydney Morning Herald 2018a).
There are no Federal Government policies
expected to reduce fugitive emissions.
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
By transitioning to renewable energy and
away from coal and gas, fugitive emissions
can be eliminated in coming decades.
However, this would also require Australia’s
economy to transition away from exporting
coal and LNG, which were Australia’s second
and fourth largest exports respectively
in 2016-17 (Austrade 2017). In the shorter
term, greater methane burning (rather than
venting) from gas production sites and coal
mines could help reduce fugitive emissions.
Figure 11: Increasing LNG extraction from coal seam gas wells (pictured) has driven a signifcant increase in fugitive emissions.
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Emissions from industrial processes
are produced as a by-product of
materials and reactions used in
production processes. These include
the production of chemical, metal and
mineral products and the consumption
of synthetic gases.
Changes in emissions:
Emissions from industrial processes are
the sixth largest source of greenhouse gas
emissions in Australia, responsible for 6% of
Australia’s emissions. The sector produced
35.8 MtCO2e in 2017, a 2.9% increase from
2016. These increases were driven by
higher iron and steel production as well as
increasing emissions from products that
are replacing ozone depleting substances
(Australian Government 2018).
Emissions have increased by 11.9% since
2005, when the sector was responsible for
32 MtCO2e.
Why are emissions going up?
Increases in emissions from industrial
processes over the past decade have
been driven by the replacement of ozone
depleting substances with other substances
that are greenhouse gases, such as
hydrofluorocarbons. These emissions are
responsible for 13 MtCO2e, over one third of
all emissions from industrial processes in
Australia (Australian Government 2018).
Industrial Processes
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Up
Emissions projections
to 2030: Down
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Moderate
Increased emissions from industrial
processes have been driven by iron
and steel production.
26
What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 28% reduction?
Reducing emissions from industrial
processes by 26% below 2005 levels
requires the sector to reduce cumulative
emissions to 2030 by 22% from current
levels compared to business as usual.
The phase-down of hydrofluorocarbons
is expected to only marginally reduce
emissions from industrial processes
between 2020 and 2030 (Australian
Government 2018). Under current policy
settings, Australia will not achieve a 26%
reduction below 2005 levels in emissions in
the industrial processes sector by 2030.
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
Beginning in January 2018, Australia will
restrict the amount of hydrofluorocarbons
permitted to be imported into Australia
between now and 2036. This policy is
expected to lead to an 85% reduction in
hydrofluorocarbon emissions by 2036
(Department of the Environment and
Energy 2018a).
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
The phase down of hydrofluorocarbons
will help reduce emissions from industrial
processes by 2030. However, there are limited
prospects to reduce emissions from the
metal, mineral and chemical industries.
Figure 12: A large chemical plant in Germany. Emissions from industrial processes, including chemical production, are
projected to continue increasing to 2030.
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Waste emissions are produced in
landfll, waste water treatment, waste
incineration and the biological
treatment of solid waste. Methane is the
major greenhouse gas that is produced
when organic matter decays in the
absence of oxygen.
Changes in emissions:
Waste emissions are the seventh largest
source of greenhouse gas emissions in
Australia, responsible for 2% of Australia’s
emissions. The sector produced 12.6
MtCO2e in 2017, a 1% increase from 2016.
This increase was driven by an increase in
emissions from solid waste disposal due to
lower rates of methane capture at landflls
(Australian Government 2018).
Emissions have decreased by 10% since 2005,
when the sector was responsible for 14 MtCO2e.
Why are emissions going down?
Prior to 2017, declines in waste emissions
were driven by falling emissions from solid
waste disposal due to higher rates of methane
capture. However, methane capture rates fell
in 2017 (Australian Government 2018).
What level do emissions need to
be in 2030 for a 26% reduction?
Reducing waste emissions by 26% below
2005 levels requires the sector to reduce
cumulative emissions to 2030 by 5% from
current levels compared to business as usual.
Waste emissions are projected to decrease
until 2022 as a result of increased recycling
and methane capture. Beyond 2022,
emissions are projected to rise again as
a result of population growth and the
conclusion of the Emissions Reduction
Waste
Emissions trajectory
since 2005: Down
Emissions projections
to 2030: Down
Prospects for emissions
reduction: Good
Waste emissions
are expected
to reduce to
2022 due to
methane capture
and increased
recycling.
28
Fund. Overall, waste emissions are forecast
to reduce to 10 MtCO2e in 2020 and still be
at this level in 2030. If these projections are
correct, the waste sector is broadly on track
to reduce emissions by 26% below 2005 levels
(Australian Government 2018).
Are there any federal or state
government policies? Are these
policies working?
The Federal Government’s Emissions
Reduction Fund has achieved some level
of abatement of emissions in the waste
sector. However, it is likely that many of
these reductions in waste emissions would
have occurred regardless. As such, waste
emissions reductions credited under this
program may not constitute additional
reductions in emissions (The Guardian 2018).
This program was not provided with any
further funding in the Federal Government’s
2018 budget (Sydney Morning Herald 2018b).
What are the opportunities to
reduce emissions in this sector?
In light of China’s decision to no longer
accept Australia’s waste, there are
opportunities for Australia to increase rates
of reusing and recycling to reduce the
amount of waste going into landfll. This
will help reduce waste emissions.
By improving recycling rates and increasing
methane capture, it is possible to continue
reducing emissions from the waste sector.
However, there is limited scope for deep and
rapid reductions in emissions.
Figure 13: The waste sector has reduced emissions by 10% since 2005, largely as a result of methane capture.
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CHAPTER 05
THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR CAN AND SHOULD DO MORE
5. The electricity
sector can and
should do more
Some sectors, such as electricity and
transport, already have more affordable,
readily available technologies that can be used
to transition away from reliance on fossil fuels
and reduce emissions. It would be more costeffective to reduce emissions in these sectors
by more than their pro-rata share of 26-28%.
This would reduce the burden on other
sectors, particularly agriculture, stationary
energy and industrial processes, where
solutions are either more expensive or will
require further technological development
(ClimateWorks 2017).
Emissions reductions above 26% in the
electricity sector are realistic and achievable.
Several studies have consistently found that
there are no technical barriers to Australia
achieving secure, reliable power from a very
high proportion of renewable electricity.
The Federal Government’s proposed
emissions target for the National Energy
Guarantee implies that each sector of
the economy will contribute a (pro rata)
26-28% share to achieving Australia’s
2030 emissions reduction target.
However, this is not the most cost
effective or technologically efcient way
of achieving emissions reductions.
Emissions reductions above 26% in
the electricity sector are realistic and
achievable. The electricity sector can
and should do more.
30
Exactly how emissions reductions are
divided up across different sectors
can have a major effect on the cost
of Australia meeting its emissions
reduction targets.
The implied approach under the
National Energy Guarantee is that every
sector reduces emissions by its prorata share. A 26% emissions reduction
from each sector by 2030 would imply
the need to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from 2017 levels compared
to business as usual by:
› 8% in the electricity sector
› 33% in the transport sector
› 31% in the stationary energy sector
› 23% in the agricultural sector
› 33% in fugitive emissions
› 22% in the industrial processes sector
› 5% in the waste sector
Australia’s emissions reduction target
of 26-28% by 2030 below 2005 levels is
an inadequate response to the threat
of climate change and not in line with
the commitment Australia has made
under the Paris Climate Agreement.
The Climate Change Authority
recommended a 45-65% emissions
reduction target for 2030 below 2005
levels for Australia to do its fair share to
reduce emissions. This is based on the
scientifc evidence, what comparable
countries are doing and what is in the
best interests of Australia (Climate
Change Authority 2015).
If the electricity sector were to reduce
emissions at least 60% below 2005 levels
by 2030, it would lower the emissions
reduction task for other sectors signifcantly.
Given the current rate of renewable energy
construction and industry momentum, along
with the challenges to reducing emissions
in the other sectors, the electricity sector
can and should carry more of the nation’s
emissions reduction burden.
Australia needs an ambitious emissions
reduction target and a credible climate policy
that covers all sectors of the economy. The
National Energy Guarantee in its current
form proposes inadequate emissions
reductions from the electricity sector,
making it very difcult for Australia to reach
even its weak emissions reduction target of
26-28% by 2030.
‘Clean and Reliable
Power: Roadmap to a
Renewable Future’.
You can read more about what a credible
climate and energy policy should look like
in the Climate Council’s report:
31 WORKING PAPER:
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REFERENCES
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33 WORKING PAPER:
AUSTRALIA’S RISING GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
IMAGE CREDITS
Image Credits
Cover image: “Loy Yang 2” by Flickr user Greenstone Girl
licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Page 2: Figure 1 – Adapted from Australian Government
(2018) Quarterly Update of Australia’s National Greenhouse
Gas Inventory: December 2017. 18 May 2018. Accessed
at: http://www.environment.gov.au/system/fles/
resources/7b9824b8-49cc-4c96-b5d6-f03911e9a01d/fles/
nggi-quarterly-update-dec-2017-revised.pdf
Page 3: Figure 2 “Power Lines at Sunset” by Flickr user
Greenstone Girl licensed under CC BY-NC 2.0.
Page 7: Figure 4 – Adapted from Australian Government
(2017) Australia’s emissions projections 2017. Accessed at:
http://www.environment.gov.au/system/fles/resources/
eb62f30f-3e0f-4bfa-bb7a-c87818160fcf/fles/australiaemissions-projections-2017.pdf
Page 8: Figure 5 “Kidston solar and pumped hydro project.”
Image courtesy of GenexPower.
Page 14: Figure 7 “Inside Torrens Island Power Station” by
Flickr user UCL Engineering licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Page 17: Figure 8 “Virgin Australia Airbus A330-200” by
Flickr user Luke McConville licensed under CC BY-NC-ND
2.0.
Page 20: Figure 9 “Curtis Island LNG plant, Gladstone QLD”
by Flickr user Beyond Coal & Gas Image Library licensed
under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0.
Page 23: Figure 10 “Cows in Brown Fields” by Flickr user
Michael Coghlan licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0.
Page 25: Figure 11 “LTGA Documentaries Trailer” by Flickr
user Lock the Gate Alliance licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Page 27: Figure 12 “Where Bladerunners go to rest” by Flickr
user Raul Lieberwirth licensed under CC BY-NC-NC 2.0.
Page 29: Figure 13 “if companies would use products…”
by Flickr user Nicolas Boullosa licensed under CC BY 2.0.
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