Page 3405 - Week 08 - Tuesday, 17 August 2010
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I seek leave to make a statement in relation to the paper.
Leave granted.
MR CORBELL: Today I table the fifth annual report on the operation of the ACT greenhouse gas abatement scheme, for the 2009 compliance year. The challenges proposed by climate change affect everyone around the world and require concerted action if we are to avoid critical environmental, economic and social consequences. Rising greenhouse gas emissions pose a significant threat to the social, environmental and economic welfare of ACT citizens, present and future.
Therefore the greenhouse gas abatement scheme was developed to reduce or offset greenhouse gases associated with the production of electricity used in the ACT. The scheme was established in the ACT under the Electricity (Greenhouse Gas Emissions) Act 2004 and commenced on 1 January 2005. The ACT scheme mirrors the New South Wales greenhouse gas abatement scheme. The New South Wales and ACT schemes are in many respects operated as a single scheme. Under the act, the ICRC is the scheme regulator in the ACT. One of the commission’s functions, as a regulator, is to determine the greenhouse gas reduction target or benchmark for the ACT in any given year.
The scheme is designed to reduce or offset greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of electricity. It requires retailers of electricity in the ACT to procure an increasing component of their product from cleaner and greener means, thereby effecting large reductions in associated greenhouse gases. Tackling our emissions from electricity use is a key to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions profile.
Emissions reductions attributed to the scheme since its introduction total 2,332,062 tonnes of greenhouse gas. In 2009, there were 19 entities licensed to sell electricity in the ACT. A total of 746,800 certificates were surrendered, equivalent to a greenhouse gas reduction saving of 743,151 tonnes. This has been the most successful year of the scheme to date.
The greenhouse gas abatement scheme remains the single most effective greenhouse gas abatement measure in the territory. Members will recall that in November 2007 the Assembly agreed to extend operation of the scheme from 2013 to 2020 or until such time as an effective national emissions trading scheme is put in place. I will keep the Assembly informed of any developments that may trigger significant change or cessation of the greenhouse gas abatement scheme.
Papers
Mr Corbell presented the following papers:
Petition—Out of order
Petition which does not conform with the standing orders—Hawker—Section 34—Parking—Ms Porter (423 signatures).
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