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Aus emissions continue to fall - report

30th November 2021

By: Esmarie Iannucci

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor: Australasia

     

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PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Australian emissions reportedly fell by 2.1% in the financial year ended June, to some 498.9-million tonnes, compared with the previous financial year.

The quarterly update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory showed that Australia’s greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions are now at 20.4% below levels from 2005, the baseline year for the nation’s 2030 Paris Agreement target.

Emissions from electricity generation continued their long-term, structural decline in the year to June 2021, down 4.5% or 7.7-million tonnes, said Industry, Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor.

“This continuing decline in emissions is driven by Australia’s world-leading deployment of solar and wind. Since 2017, Australia’s consumption of renewable energy has grown at a compound annual rate of 4.6%, with more than A$40-billion invested in Australia’s renewable energy sector. Last year, Australia deployed new solar and wind at eight times the global per capita average.”

The June quarterly update found fugitive emissions and emissions from transport also fell by 8.7%, or 4.6-million tonnes, and 1.9%, or 1.7-million tonnes, respectively, over the past year.

The Australian economy grew by 0.7% during the June quarter, while emissions rose 0.4%, or 0.5-million tonnes, in trend terms. Per capita emissions are now at their lowest levels in three decades and are forecast to fall further by 2030.

The production of exports for overseas markets generated 39.1% of Australia’s total emissions in the year to June. The value of Australia’s overseas exports has increased by around A$80-billion, or 23% in real terms, since 2013, reflecting government’s strong economic management.

When emissions associated with the production of exports are excluded, domestic emissions are 38% below 2005 levels, said Taylor.

“The government is backing new and emerging technologies that will support jobs, strengthen the economy and reduce emissions, without compromising the affordable, reliable power that Australian households and businesses rely on.

“The government’s Long-Term Emissions Reduction Plan outlines how Australia will harness low emissions technologies to meet its 2050 net-zero goal. 

“We have committed to invest at least A$21-billion in low emissions technologies in the decade to 2030, driving more than A$80-billion in total public and private investment. Our plan is projected to create more than 100 000 jobs by 2050,” he said.

The Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association (Appea) said on Tuesday that the decline in emissions underlined the important role that natural gas was playing in supplying cleaner electricity.

Appea CEO Andrew McConville said that the fall in fugitive emissions was driven by a reduced reliance on coal, a trend that will continue as gas and clean hydrogen combine with an increase in other renewables to ensure Australia secures a cleaner energy future.

A substantial fall in fugitive emissions was also a driving force behind the drop in overall GHG emissions, led by a decline in coal production and a fall in gas flaring, two trends that are expected to continue, he added.

McConville said there will be further reductions in GHG emissions in Australia and around the globe as coal production is replaced by gas and renewable energies to produce cleaner and reliable energy.

‘’As the world continues to move away from coal and switches to low emissions energies, gas will play a pivotal role in providing the cleaner energy future that we all want. Natural gas produces half as much carbon dioxide when burned as coal does and yet produces the same amount of energy without the harmful side effects.

‘’By using more natural gas to generate power we can reduce emissions and meet the increasing demand for energy. Natural gas can also lead us to a large-scale clean hydrogen industry.

‘’Hydrogen can help lower emissions both in Australia and around the world, while it also lowers energy costs, delivers energy security, and creates jobs and manufacturing opportunities.

‘’While fugitive emissions linked to oil and gas account for only 4% of Australia’s total emissions, it is still a significant source and we will work hard and continue to invest heavily to ensure we keep them as low as possible’’ said McConville.

Edited by Creamer Media Reporter

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