Page 2795 - Week 09 - Wednesday, 17 September 2014
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It is through projects such as the solar farm at Royalla that we see that the ACT’s renewable energy target, which aims for 90 per cent of electricity used in the ACT to be from renewable sources by 2020, is very much achievable. It was exciting to see the solar park at Mugga Lane gain planning approval, and I look forward to seeing this 13-megawatt facility reach its full potential.In regard to planning for the future and the greenhouse gas reduction targets, the ACT has the most ambitious target in Australia as stipulated by climate change action plan 2. I am pleased that this government has a strong commitment to move towards a 40 per cent reduction on 1990 emission levels by 2020 and zero emissions by 2060. Imagine that, Madam Speaker: a real sustainable city, free from emissions within the lifetimes of our children.
This target fits in with the advice from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, the IPCC, which states that, in order to avoid catastrophic effects of climate change, the increase in average global temperature must not exceed two degrees centigrade, and in order to achieve this, all industrialised nations must implement a 40 per cent reduction from 1990 levels by 2020.
The weather events that have already been seen around the world and in Australia show the dire need to reduce our carbon emissions. The 2014 report by the IPCC which came out in March explains that in south-eastern Australia the impacts of climate change have already been seen on food production, terrestrial ecosystems and aquatic ecosystems such as rivers and lakes. The federal Department of the Environment states that annual rainfall could decline by up to 10 per cent by 2030 and 25 per cent by 2070 in relation to 1990 levels. Given that water security has been an issue raised in this place in the past, the potential for future resources is worrying.
As part of climate change action plan 2, not only have these emissions targets been set, but energy efficiency has been targeted for improvement. The ACT’s energy efficiency improvement scheme commenced on 1 January 2013, for an initial term of three years. Energy efficiency is an important factor in the reduction of greenhouse gases. Obviously, the more we reduce our overall energy use the less we rely on non-renewable energy production. As of March this year, under the energy efficiency improvement scheme, over 24,000 households had received energy efficiency saving activities. The lifetime abatement due to these activities is estimated to be approximately 237,908 tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
As I stated earlier, planning for the future and not just for the present is something that the vast majority of Canberrans agree with. To quote Ms Lawder yesterday, “This isn’t just a decision that affects us today.” No, Madam Speaker; these decisions on renewable energy and greenhouse gas reduction are decisions for the future, plans for the future, preventative supporting measures put in place for the future.
It has been evident for a long time that the vision for the future is something that the Liberal Party lacks on both a local and federal level. We can see this through Ms Lawder’s active dismissal of any positive impact any form of renewable energy may have. One of the themes that just keeps reoccurring in discourse from those opposite is the cost of renewable energy production. We have heard members refer to this this morning. It is something that Ms Lawder raised yesterday, and again today.
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