Page 5106 - Week 14 - Tuesday, 17 November 2009
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The establishment of the inquiry was one of my first priorities as Minister for the Environment, Climate Change and Water, and the Assembly subsequently agreed to the terms of reference which I proposed in relation to the inquiry in December last year. At that time I noted that the time frame was ambitious in the context of a complex policy issue and the extensive nature of the terms of reference. However, then, as now, I am committed to moving the debate on from what the targets should be and into the real and practical detail of what we need to do to make those targets a reality, because, while targets are important, measures to actually reduce greenhouse gas emissions must become the priority for all members in this place and for the broader community.
The ACT’s emissions have increased at a rate of 1.7 per cent since the year 2000. Another way to measure this is that emissions per Canberran increased at the rate of 0.7 per cent per year, while nationally they decreased at 0.6 per cent per year. Our emissions have increased faster than the national average, and now we must take action to reverse this trend. Recognising this earlier this year, I announced that the government had adopted the aim of achieving zero net emissions, or carbon neutrality for our city.
Today I am pleased to advise the Assembly that the government has set a target for our city to become carbon neutral, to achieve zero net emissions, by the year 2060. Zero net emissions, or carbon neutrality, is still an emerging concept. However, its broad meaning is accepted as that energy use is reduced as far as possible, through energy efficiency; that wherever possible energy comes from renewable sources; that the remaining greenhouse gas emissions are offset; and that for emissions for which we are not responsible, such as those arising from air travel, we measure the emissions and offset as far as is practicable.
The government recognises there are ambiguities around offsetting, and therefore a key part of our forward policy work will be to develop an offset policy. I would also reiterate the importance of the first two steps ahead of offsetting; that is, to reduce energy use as far as possible and to switch our energy supply to renewable sources.
Addressing climate change is the greatest challenge facing the modem world today. How the global community responds to climate change will determine the shape of the world for future generations. The government in the ACT accepts this challenge. We have embarked upon an ambitious reform agenda. We want Canberra to set the standard for a truly sustainable city. We recognise we need to do this with the community. We recognise decisions taken by this generation will affect all future ones.
In particular, the issue of taking action early to reduce emissions is recognised as the most cost-effective approach, and it avoids greater expense and difficulties with making the transition to a low-carbon economy later. Therefore, I can confirm today that the government has agreed with the committee’s recommendation for the short-term target of reaching a peak in our per capita greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2013.
Our preliminary analysis from the work my department has undertaken over the last year indicates that these are both ambitious yet realistic goals. Both targets reflect our serious intent to reduce our carbon footprint.
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