"Victoria, the dirty state, shamed by emissions scorecard"
* Peter Ker
* January 12, 2009
VICTORIA is driving Australia's carbon pollution problem, with the Garden State being revealed as Australia's worst greenhouse performer across a number of emissions indicators in 2008.
An audit of Australia's major population centres revealed Victoria increased its electricity production last year, grew its total greenhouse emissions and increased the percentage of emissions from the dirtiest sources.
In a further indictment, the Climate Group's 2008 emissions audit showed Victoria's performance to be at odds with that of New South Wales, where a range of greenhouse indicators were lower than 2007 levels.
Australia's three most populous states — NSW, Victoria and Queensland — recorded a combined emissions rise of 1.3 per cent in 2008. Victoria's contribution to that rise was disproportionately high, producing an extra 2.2 million tonnes, a rise of 2.1 per cent.
The dirtiest source of power — coal-fired power stations — appears to be playing a bigger role in Australia's energy needs.
Electricity generation across the three states was 1.3 per cent higher, yet emissions from electricity rose by 2 per cent.
The report said the imbalance was due to the fact that "more electricity was produced from coal-fired generators and less from gas and renewable sources".
While coal-fired power stations in the Latrobe Valley provided almost 60 per cent of the state's emissions, the audit revealed Victoria was also increasing its petrol emissions.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner said stronger economic conditions and population growth in Victoria than in New South Wales may have partly caused the disparity.
Mr Posner said also the nature of the electricity grid meant that some power created in Victoria would be used by consumers in other states.
But Mr Posner said ultimately emissions were rising at a time when Australia needed to be reducing its carbon footprint.
"Victoria has to take responsibility for the emissions it created in this state. Even if it exports the electricity, Victoria is getting an economic benefit for that," he said. "You can come up with all sorts of excuses or reasons to justify why … but the reality is emissions need to go down and they didn't."
The Rudd Government last month set targets for Australia to reduce its emissions by at least 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020.
The Brumby Government, which approved the construction of a new coal-fired power plant for Victoria in 2008, defended its record yesterday, saying emissions improvements had been made on a per capita basis.
"Victoria's per capita energy-related emissions have fallen by 5.4 per cent from 2000 to 2008," said Government spokesman Stephen Moynihan.
Monday, January 12, 2009
Article - ABC Melbourne
Vic, Qld emissions up, NSW down: Climate Group
Posted January 12, 2009 08:43:00
A new report shows there has been a rise in greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria and Queensland over the past year, but a drop in New South Wales.
The environmental organisation, the Climate Group, tracks the level of greenhouse gas emissions across Australia's eastern states every year.
Its latest report shows that Queensland and Victoria's emissions went up by a combined 4.2 million tonnes in 2008, while in New South Wales they fell by 500,000 tonnes.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner says that was largely due to less petrol being sold in New South Wales.
"It's interesting that emissions from petroleum products actually went down in New South Wales while they went up in Victoria and Queensland," he said.
"One can only assume that petrol prices and the higher prices during 2008... had a bigger impact on the people who live in New South Wales as opposed to other states."
He says the other two states produced more emissions from coal-fired power stations and has urged people to become more energy efficient to tackle pollution levels.
Mr Posner says it is important that government policies to cut emissions are speeded up.
"The policy that the Government has committed to hasn't taken effect yet," he said.
"What this does demonstrate is that we need robust policies that are implemented quickly rather than waiting a long time.
"Because the longer we wait, the more our emissions are likely to increase."
Posted January 12, 2009 08:43:00
A new report shows there has been a rise in greenhouse gas emissions in Victoria and Queensland over the past year, but a drop in New South Wales.
The environmental organisation, the Climate Group, tracks the level of greenhouse gas emissions across Australia's eastern states every year.
Its latest report shows that Queensland and Victoria's emissions went up by a combined 4.2 million tonnes in 2008, while in New South Wales they fell by 500,000 tonnes.
Climate Group director Rupert Posner says that was largely due to less petrol being sold in New South Wales.
"It's interesting that emissions from petroleum products actually went down in New South Wales while they went up in Victoria and Queensland," he said.
"One can only assume that petrol prices and the higher prices during 2008... had a bigger impact on the people who live in New South Wales as opposed to other states."
He says the other two states produced more emissions from coal-fired power stations and has urged people to become more energy efficient to tackle pollution levels.
Mr Posner says it is important that government policies to cut emissions are speeded up.
"The policy that the Government has committed to hasn't taken effect yet," he said.
"What this does demonstrate is that we need robust policies that are implemented quickly rather than waiting a long time.
"Because the longer we wait, the more our emissions are likely to increase."
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Transport
The objective for Melbourne must be zero emissions from transport.
How can this eventual outcome be achieved?
To achieve this outcome, the public transport system must be improved, so that it is more extensive and available everywhere; it must be comprehensively upgraded, expanded, and must be powered entirely by renewable energy, electric vehicle charge points must be available everywhere, and high polluting vehicles must be bought back from drivers. By 'comprehensively upgraded' I mean: new rail lines, new tram lines, new bike paths; a fleet of electric buses and taxis to supersede current fleet. A public transport upgrade and expansion would result in the thousands of polluting cars off Melbourne roads.
How can this eventual outcome be achieved?
To achieve this outcome, the public transport system must be improved, so that it is more extensive and available everywhere; it must be comprehensively upgraded, expanded, and must be powered entirely by renewable energy, electric vehicle charge points must be available everywhere, and high polluting vehicles must be bought back from drivers. By 'comprehensively upgraded' I mean: new rail lines, new tram lines, new bike paths; a fleet of electric buses and taxis to supersede current fleet. A public transport upgrade and expansion would result in the thousands of polluting cars off Melbourne roads.
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