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Legislative Assembly for the ACT: 2003 Week 6 Hansard (18 June) . . Page.. 2054 ..
MR STANHOPE
(continuing):As I indicated before, the greenhouse strategy is currently being reviewed. It does, and will, include the most recent data on greenhouse gas emissions. The result of the review will be released in the next couple of months. I'm urging the department to give this issue significant priority.
The targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from ACT government buildings at the moment are: a 15 per cent reduction below 1999-2000 levels by 2004, and a further reduction of 10 per cent by 2008. These are tough targets, and I'm advised that significant advances have been achieved. We do know, for instance, the Canberra Hospital has invested $2 million in energy efficiency measures; the Department of Urban Services has invested over $100,000 in upgrading their lighting system for Macarthur House; the continuing program for upgrading street lamps on main roads generates an electricity saving of 35 per cent on each lamp. All these measures do of course reduce greenhouse gas emissions and generate energy cost savings.
Targets for individual agencies haven't yet been established. They need to be set on a case-by-case basis, depending on the characteristics of buildings and infrastructure, and to reflect investments already made to increase energy efficiency. There must be a firm commitment that targets will be established for individual government agencies.
I accept the criticism of Ms Tucker, and certainly Ms Dundas and others-and I think it's a criticism that can't be reflected-that work that should have been done by now, if we're serious about a 2008 target, hasn't been done. Much work has been done; much good work has been done; but we do need some accountability and some measures to measure our progress in relation to that.
MR DEPUTY SPEAKER
: The member's time has expired. Would you like an extension?MR STANHOPE
: No, I'm fine. Thank you very much, Mr Deputy Speaker.MRS DUNNE
(5.29): Before I commence I move the amendment circulated in my name:Omit all words after "Government", substitute
"to immediately require all territory owned entities and ACT Government departments to commence reporting on their greenhouse gas emissions from electricity consumed in the ACT.
That this Assembly further asks the Standing Committee on Planning and Environment to investigate and report on a suitable means of reporting greenhouse gas emissions from electricity for large businesses in the ACT.".
The Minister for the Environment has told us that this is an important issue. It's such an important issue that it was my privilege to work for the ACT minister for the environment who signed the ACT up to the greenhouse strategy long before anyone else in this country had a greenhouse strategy and to sign up and commit the ACT to meeting Kyoto-type targets at the time of the signing of the Kyoto protocols. This is a proud first
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