Page 496 - Week 02 - Tuesday, 23 February 2010
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can the minister outline how much greenhouse gas emissions are reduced by Canberrans’ participation in Earth Hour?
MR CORBELL: Of course Earth Hour is a symbolic act designed to encourage and galvanise action and raise awareness around the issues of climate change. But it does have a meaningful impact. During the last Earth Hour, we achieved a reduction in electricity use of around 9½ per cent of the city’s total energy consumption or about 27 tonnes of greenhouse gas avoided for just that one hour.
If we were to achieve that sort of reduction each and every hour, of course the savings could be much more significant. That is, of course, what the purpose of Earth Hour is, to encourage that awareness that occurs that particular hour for that particular day to become part of a normal pattern of living throughout the year. And with more people taking up their involvement in Earth Hour, the more likely we are to see those types of reductions sustained as people take individual action to drive down their own emissions.
MR SPEAKER: Ms Le Couteur, a supplementary question?
MS LE COUTEUR: Yes. Continuing on from that, I understand the government actually makes some efforts to reduce energy use in Earth Hour. Why is it only in Earth Hour? Why isn’t it 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year? Why is it Earth Hour, not earth year, for the government?
MR CORBELL: I reject that. The government continues to improve energy efficiency in its operations as part of its ongoing activity. Obviously, the symbolic steps that are taken during Earth Hour can be—and are—implemented in a range of ways across ACT government operations. The ACT government are continuing to increase its purchase of green power for its operations. We are continuing to improve energy efficiency in government buildings in a range of ways. These are ongoing activities of the government; they are not constrained just to Earth Hour for that one day.
Mr Stanhope: I ask that all further questions be placed on the notice paper.
Supplementary answer to question without notice
Family and youth services
MS BURCH: Can I add to a question by Ms Hunter in relation to the purchasing framework and the notice to service providers? Whilst we were sitting here, my department gave me an update. We are aware now that a few services did not receive the paper until shortly after a number of other services and, given that, the deadline has been extended to 17 March and the department is working with individual services if they want extra time on top of that.
Answer to question on notice
Question No 434
MR COE: I seek an explanation under standing order 118A as to why question on notice 434 has not been answered.
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