2019-02-14
The ACT’s 2017–18 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report finds that our city’s greenhouse gas emissions fell 14% over the year.
Minister for Climate Change and Sustainability Shane Rattenbury said the report provides a comprehensive picture of the Territory’s emissions and identified those sectors responsible for greenhouse gas emissions.
Report highlights:
- total emissions were 3,367.5 kilotonnes (kt) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-e), a decrease of 14% on 2016-17 levels.
- per capita emissions reduced from 9.64 to 8.09 kilotonnes CO2-e.
- electricity emissions fell 27% on 2016-17 levels.
- natural gas emissions decreased 4% on 2016-17 levels.
- transport emissions increased by 26 kt CO2-e or by 2.3% from 2016-17. Transport now accounts for 34% of the ACT’s emission profile.
- waste emissions decreased by 31% from 2016-17 primarily due to an increase in the volume of landfill gas captured and burnt.
“The report shows the ACT continues to make great progress in reducing our greenhouse gas emissions. Renewable electricity generation grew from 30 per cent to 49 per cent in 2017-18 as more of our wind farms came online,” Minister Rattenbury said today.
“By 2020 the ACT will be powered by 100% renewable electricity meaning our biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions – at over 60% – will come from transport.
“We continue to make progress toward our 2020 emissions target. The ACT’s next Climate Strategy will be released in coming months and will map out an action plan for the period until 2025 to tackle these sectors.
“Once all electricity is from renewable sources, the challenge becomes more difficult. Transport emissions in the ACT continue to grow. The transport sector will shortly be our biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, and within the sector, the biggest contributor is private car use.
“The Government will focus on helping people to take sustainable modes of transport, like light rail, buses and active transport. We’re also looking to the community to work with us, to being open to trying new ways of moving around the city.
“Natural gas use is another challenge for emissions. To reach our goal of net zero emissions we eventually need to phase out natural gas completely. Natural gas emissions are already reducing, partly due to people switching to new highly efficient electric appliances for their home heating and cooking.
“The report released today though shows that, with strong community support, we can meet our world-leading goals.”
The 2017-18 Greenhouse Gas Inventory will be made available at www.environment.act.gov.au.