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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 2049 ..
MS DUNDAS
(continuing):greenhouse gases per employee and set that against the average per employer for all businesses and government agencies.
Companies that have signed up to the national greenhouse challenge will have the opportunity to prove that their environmental initiatives are reaping rewards. At the other end, companies that have not yet taken any action to reduce emissions will be encouraged to look at how they can cut electricity use and make cost savings and lower their environmental impacts as a result.
Similar mandatory reporting schemes applying to toxic emissions successfully operate both here in Australia and overseas. The Australian national polluting inventory allows the public to search an online database to seek detailed emissions data for all big businesses producing significant levels of toxic pollution. This program has encouraged best practice environmental management in many industries and allows the community to show whether or not industries are keeping pace with community demand for best environmental practice.
The positive public relations opportunities have been grasped by environmentally responsible companies that have been able to show how effective their environmental programs are. The possibility of public scrutiny and criticism has also encouraged the bigger polluters to review their operations, to find ways of reducing emissions.
During the economic white paper process, the government articulated a vision of the ACT becoming an environmental leader. Best practice environmental reporting would help promote that vision. We will be lagging behind other states when emissions on electricity bills are finally introduced in two weeks time, but we can regain the lead by adopting mandatory reporting.
As I have mentioned earlier, if this motion passes today, the ACT will be the first jurisdiction in the world to have public reporting of greenhouse gas emissions. This will be something to be truly proud of, and I do hope that the Assembly sees the merit in this motion and supports it.
I do understand that there are some amendments being discussed, and I will speak to them once they have been presented to the Assembly.
MS TUCKER
(5.12): The Greens will support this motion. It follows logically from our earlier support of Ms Dundas' motion calling for greenhouse emission information to appear on electricity bills. Perhaps the most critical part of bringing about widespread behavioural change within society in response to an environmental or other threat is the awareness raising aspect-having people know, understand and accept the reasons why some change in behaviour is needed.People will naturally resist attempts to change their way of life if they do not see a good reason why they should and may therefore see any legislated or financial measures to deal with the issue as an imposition. This can apply to a broad range of everyday matters: how we get around-walk, bus, cycle or drive; the size of car we drive; keeping a swimming pool or water intensive gardens; and how we shop.
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