The annual 2006 greenhouse emissions projections released today show that Australia will achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions over the next six years, the Minister for the Environment and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said today.

“While meeting Australia’s emissions reduction target remains a challenge, we are tracking well and remain committed to reaching it,” Senator Campbell said.

The Tracking to the Kyoto Target report projects the levels of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions in 2008-2012. It forecasts Australia’s emissions to be 109 per cent of 1990 levels by 2008-2012.

Australia is committed to achieving an emissions target of 108 percent of 1990 levels by 2008-2012 and the report shows we are within 1 percent of meeting that target.

“Historically, Australia’s emissions projections have moved around. The estimates are influenced heavily by the rate of economic growth, the global demand for resources and domestic circumstances such as drought.

“For example, in 2002 and 2003, Australia was projected to be 3 percent and 2 percent above the 108 percent target respectively but with emissions reduction measures put in place was back on target to 108 in subsequent years.

“Australia is experiencing strong economic and employment growth and has a booming resources sector. This in turn means emissions levels go up.

“Today’s report shows that thanks to actions by the Australian Government, state, territory and local governments, industry and the Australian people, we have done well to dramatically reduce our projected national emissions by 16 percentage points.

“Without this strong action, Australia’s projected emissions would be riding at 125 percent of 1990 levels. We are saving 87 million tonnes of greenhouse gases from going into the atmosphere each year.

“The objective of the Australian Government is to balance our economic prosperity with environmental sustainability and we will continue to examine ways we can work with industry and the community to further reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.”

The Australian Government has already committed to a range of measures including:

• the Asia-Pacific Partnership for Clean Development and Climate, into which Australia has invested $100 million, of which $60 million has been committed to a range of projects covering areas including renewable energies, improving environmental performance of fossil fuels, energy efficiency and best environmental practice in sectors such as coal mining and aluminium production;
• three new Solar Cities in Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales, which together will install 3,000 solar panels on private and public housing and other buildings, conduct 6,000 energy efficiency consultations and assist more than 230,000 residents and businesses to learn how to reduce their energy use and save money. These Solar Cities will also reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 64,000 tonnes each year and save their communities $9 million per year in electricity bills.
• a $500 million fund to support low-emissions technology, including the world’s largest carbon capture and storage project which will save 3 million tonnes of carbon dioxide going into the atmosphere – the equivalent of taking almost 1 million cars off the road; and the world’s biggest solar power station in north-western Victoria which will provide power for up to 45,000 homes and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 400,000 tonnes per annum;
• extension of the Remote Renewable Power Generation program, providing $123 million to replace diesel powered plants with solar and wind.

The Prime Minister has also announced a joint government business Task Group to advise on the nature and design of a workable global emissions trading system in which Australia would be able to participate. The Task Group will advise and report on additional steps that might be taken, in Australia, consistent with the goal of establishing such a system.