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."