Page184 - Week 01 - Thursday, 3 December 2020
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We ensured that 57 per cent of our new passenger vehicle leases were zero emissions vehicles, exceeding our target of 50 per cent. We finished building the Dickson office block, which is the first major all-electric zero emissions office building in the territory. As part of our COVID-19 response we funded three public swimming pools to switch from gas to renewable electricity-based heating and two public schools to install solar panels and battery systems. We also provided zero interest loans to ACT government agencies to support emission reduction projects.
I will now turn to the effectiveness of government actions as required by the act. The ACT greenhouse gas inventory showcases the impact of our actions. It shows that in 2019-20 the ACT needed 1,684 kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent. This was 45.3 per cent lower than in 1990, meeting our target of a 40 per cent reduction on that year. The target was primarily delivered by achieving 100 per cent renewable electricity supply.
On top of the reduction in our electricity emissions, the ACT’s transport emissions were also lower during 2019-20. This was largely due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we will likely see some rebound in transport emissions in future. However, the government is clearly committed to addressing transport emissions, and the new parliamentary and governing agreement includes a range of measures to promote zero emissions vehicles. As life returns to normal, we will work to lock in emissions reductions wherever possible.
Emissions from the ACT government’s own operations were also significantly lower in 2019-20 than in previous years. We emitted 63.7 kilotonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, which was 40 per cent less than in 2018-19. In 2019-20 the ACT government was nationally recognised when being awarded both the Renewable Energy Achievement Award and the Energy Efficiency Achievement Award from the national Cities Power Partnership.
The renewable energy award was for our $25 million Next Generation Energy Storage Program, which continues to support the rollout of smart battery storage to homes and small businesses. The energy efficiency award was for our Energy Efficiency Improvement Scheme, which we extended in 2020 for a further 10 years. The EEIS requires energy retailers to help households and businesses reduce their energy demand—for example, by installing energy efficient appliances.
I am also required to give a cost of living statement. Given the impending demise of the clock, I will simply table the rest of the statement so that it is available to members:
Climate Change and Greenhouse Gas Reduction Act, pursuant to subsection 15(3)—Minister’s annual report 2019-20—Tabling statement.
I am sure members will be interested in that element of it in particular.
Question resolved in the affirmative.
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