Scorecard Summary: Fulfilment of Rio Conference Commitment - Red
Current Government Position on Climate Change - Red
Per Capita CO2 Emissions - Red (15.24 metric tons per person in 1992)
National CO2 Emissions - Green (267 million metric tons in 1992)
OVERALL ASSESSMENT:
Recalcitrant, very late implementing even "no
regrets" measures, could do much better.
NATIONAL CLIMATE PROTECTION GOAL:
Australia aims to "stablise
greenhouse gas
emissions (not controlled by the Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete
the ozone layer) based on 1988 levels by the year 2000 and to reduce these
emissions by 20 percent by the year 2005...subject to Australia not
implementing
response measures that would have net adverse economic impacts nationally
or on
Australia's trade competitiveness, in the absence of similar action by major
greenhouse gas producing countries" (Commonwealth of Australia, 1992). The
target is not legally binding.
SPECIFIC FEATURES:
Australia has a higher proportion of
energy-intensive
industries than most other OECD countries because of its strong natural
resource
base and competitive prices. It has therefore comparatively high
emissions of
CO2 tons per unit of $1000 (0.94) gross domestic product (GDP).
Australia has a
relatively high dependence on fossil fuels (compared to other OECD
countries),
does not utilise nuclear power, and has limited opportunities for
hydro-electricity generation. This limits options to reduce CO2
emissions.
However, there are large reserves of natural gas and their is considerable
opportunity for fuel
switching. The land use and forestry sector account for 30 percent of
current
CO2 emissions.
NEGATIVE FEATURES:
According to the government, "...despite
measures in place in
1994 for both emission reductions from sources and increased uptake by
sinks, a
considerable gap remained between projections and stablisation at 1990
levels by
2000. Based on current measures, the likelihood of reaching the 2005 interim
planning target is quite remote... Emission levels in 2000 will be about
three
percent above those needed of stablisation at
1990 levels." (Australia: State of the Environment, 1996)
"Several measures identified in the National Greenhouse Response Strategy
as satisfying a 'no regrets' requirement have not been implemented.
Mechanisms
are in place to address a number of these deficiencies, but only limited
progress has been made." (Australia: State of the Environment, 1996).
"Although all (state) governments had adopted the national strategy for
Ecologically Sustainable Development, by mid-1995, there has been no
indication
that they paid close
attention to the application of its basic principles in major
initiatives, such
as the operation of the national electricity grid and the extension of
reticulated electricity grids." (The Commonwealth Government has limited
constitutional powers to implement measures).
Australia has so far neglected developing its large potential for solar
and wind power.
POSITIVE FEATURES:
A voluntary initiative launched in 1995 between the
Commonwealth Government and individual companies to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions shows some promise, but it is too early to make a firm assessment.
Sources: Australia: State of the Environment, 1996; National Greenhouse Gas
Inventory Committee, 1994; Report on the in-depth review of the national
communication of
Australia, FCCC/IDR.1/AUS Dec 1995.