Page 1612 - Week 06 - Wednesday, 19 May 1993
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .
The strategy therefore focuses on those areas where the ACT is able to make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. These are: First, energy supply and use, where the Government recognises the role of appropriate pricing policies incorporating user pays and polluter pays, and specific action to encourage efficient energy use by organisations and individuals as well as the use of appropriate regulatory mechanisms. Second, the transport sector, where the needs to improve the efficiency, effectiveness and attractiveness of public transport and to reduce private car use for commuting are the central concerns. Third, waste minimisation, where the Government is taking a comprehensive approach to waste management, focusing on minimising the generation of waste, encouraging recycling, introducing the concept of user pays for waste disposal, and utilising the most efficient means of waste collection and disposal. Last, a range of cross-sectoral issues covering urban design, public awareness and research and development.
In developing the strategy it was recognised that most of the initiatives would be related to existing programs and would provide benefits in addition to reduction of greenhouse gas emissions - for example, savings through reduced energy consumption. The strategy includes a number of initiatives already being progressed which will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. For example, energy conservation measures in government buildings; the future public transport options study which will provide guidance on how best to provide an efficient public system for the ACT; the trialling of alternative fuels, such as diesohol and compressed natural gas; the building of a demonstration house by ACTEW, designed to show in a practical way how to minimise energy use, both directly by utilising solar energy and indirectly by reducing energy use by ACTEW through minimising water supply and sewerage demands; the trialling of kerbside recycling and wheeled bins; and, finally, public awareness and education programs.
The strategy also outlines a wide range of additional initiatives that the Government is committed to in principle, some of which need further investigation or development before they can be effectively implemented. Examples are: The development of a five-star energy efficiency rating scheme for houses, bringing together the principles of passive solar house design in a checklist by which the relative energy efficiency of different houses, both old and new, can be compared; the development of an ACT bicycle strategy with a view to encouraging safe cycling, ensuring that facilities for safe and efficient on-road cycling are adequate, and encouraging the use of bicycles as an alternative to the private car for commuting; the preparation of a comprehensive waste management strategy for the ACT incorporating the preparation of a landfill management plan and the results of the current trial of wheeled bins and kerbside recycling; and, finally, the establishment of an eco office network in the ACT Government Service focusing on energy conservation and waste minimisation.
In monitoring agencies' actions in implementation of the strategy, future environment budget statements will reflect progress on implementing initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The newly established office of the Commissioner for the Environment is required to produce a state of the environment report. I intend requesting the commissioner to include a particular focus on greenhouse in the 1993-94 report which would assess agencies' compliance with the greenhouse strategy and would comment on specific areas where there is scope for more effective action.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . .