Election climate change, renewables and energy efficiency promises

Will first be:

Climate Change Commission of independent experts, to explain the science and report on international progress.

Citizen’s Assembly of 150 Australians chosen from the electoral roll to examine over 12 months the evidence on climate change, the case for action and the possible consequences of a market-based approach (using CPRS as the basis).

The ERF uses public funds to purchase abatement, primarily from soil carbon projects, but also from other sources  including electricity generators and industry, forestry measures, waste coal mine gas, green buildings and energy efficiency, reducing landfill emissions, composting, recycling and transport fuels.

Will otherwise allow emissions to continue at ‘business as usual’ levels.

For further detail see the Coalition’s Direct Action Plan² and our article ‘Recent Climate Change Developments’.³

Carbon Farming Initiative – will legislate rules for the recognition of carbon credits that could be sold on the domestic or international market. Limited detail available, stated that could include reforestation (eligible from 1 July 2010), soil carbon and biochar, avoided deforestation, legacy waste emissions from landfill sites, manure management in intensive livestock production and savannah fire management.⁵

Greenhouse Friendly program retained for five years, at cost of $2 million pa.⁶

• small-scheme cap in initial years
• changes to small-scheme multiplier, and
• clarifying/expanding Emissions-Intensive, Trade-Exposed (EITE) activity assistance.

• Pre-CPRS action would be rewarded by retaining EITE baselines.⁸
• All new coal-fired power stations will be required to meet best practice emissions standards, and be Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) ready. Expand Energy Efficiencies Opportunities program for coal power stations and publish facility level National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System power station information.⁹
• $1 billion over 10 years to invest in connecting renewable energy sources to the electricity grid.¹⁰
• ‘One off’ bonus tax deduction for businesses that invest in eligible assets or capital works to improve the energy efficiency of existing buildings from 2 stars or lower to 4 stars or higher, of 50% of the cost.¹¹
• Request Australian Energy Market Commission to identify and address potential barriers to the uptake of electric vehicles.¹²
• Mandatory CO2 emission standards for all new light vehicles, from 2015.¹³
• Cleaner Car Rebate – $2,000 rebate for trading in pre-1995 cars for scrapping.¹⁴
• Invest in east coast rail projects, including fast train feasibility study.¹⁵
• Low Carbon Communities initiative grant funding for councils and local organisations to upgrade energy efficiency.¹⁶

Previously made commitments:

Numerous programs, including the following as the major funding initiatives:

$5.1 billion Clean Energy Initiative,¹⁷ including:

• $1.85 billion CCS Flagships Program
• $1.3 billion Solar Flagship Program
• $100 million Australian Solar Institute
• $40 million support for emerging renewables, including wave and geothermal¹⁸
• $100 million Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund through Australian Centre for Renewable Energy¹⁹ 
• $652 million Renewable Energy Future Fund

Australian Carbon Trust, $75 million to support energy efficiency action by businesses.²⁰

$6 billion Green Car Plan.²¹

$240 million over four years for ‘Clean Business Australia’ program to deliver energy and water efficiency programs.²²

$55 million per annum to the Global CCS Institute.²³

Renewable Energy Bonus Scheme, rebates for solar and heat pump hot water systems.²⁴

Climate Change Action Fund (dependent on CPRS), over $3 billion. For further detail see our article ‘Recent Climate Change Developments’.²⁵

Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act greenhouse trigger

Remains a live and uncertain issue, particularly if no CPRS progress is made. The government has committed to consider the Hawke Report²⁶ findings which recommended an interim greenhouse trigger prior to the CPRS. Environment Minister Peter Garrett has previously ruled any trigger out,²⁷ but the ALP’s position could change including to possibly support other greenhouse focused EPBC Act measures.

• $100 million per annum to 2020 for an extra $1,000 home solar roof panel rebate on top of other existing rebates.
• $100 million for solar town and school projects.
• $50 million for geothermal and tidal town projects.
• $2 million for a major study into the use of sunken high voltage transmission.
• $5 million for algal synthesis and biofuels research.
• Plant 20 million trees by 2020 for urban forests and corridors.
• $60 million to develop La Trobe Valley, Hunter and Central Queensland Clean Energy Employment Hubs.

Voluntary energy efficiency targets for Australia’s top 500 commercial energy consumers to improve energy efficiency standards in large premises.²⁹

15,000 strong ‘Green Army’ workforce.³⁰

Assume would retain previously made ALP commitments already in progress, except for:³¹

• the Climate Change Action Fund
• the Renewable Energy Future Fund
• the Carbon Trust
• Global CCS Institute funding, and
• the CCS Flagships Program, with $400 million redirected (along with another $20 million) to:³²
  • $158 million for clean coal technologies
  • $150 million mining exploration development program 
  • $45 million for development of soil carbon technologies 
  • $45 million for biological sequestration technologies, such as algae
  • $8 million for a pilot biofuel lignocellulose plant
  • $4 million to test biodiesel blend
  • $8 million for LNG logistics system, and
  • to encourage international adoption of hydrogen as a fuel.