Greenhouse emissions continue to rise

Greenhouse gas emissions from energy use in Australia’s eastern states rose in 2008, according to a Greenhouse Indicator Report released by The Climate Group. Across Victoria, NSW and Queensland, annual emissions were 3.6 million tonnes (1.3%) higher in 2008 than in 2007.

The increase was not uniform across all states. Emissions in Victoria and Queensland rose in 2008, up 2.2 and 2.0 million tonnes respectively, but fell in NSW by 0.5 million tonnes.

The Climate Group’s Greenhouse Indicator tracks the main sources of greenhouse emissions (those produced by coal, natural gas and petroleum) in Victoria, NSW and Queensland on a weekly basis. Compared with 2000 levels, emissions from energy use were significantly higher across all states, collectively up 19%. In 2008, the NSW Indicator was 25% higher than the equivalent 2000 emission, the Victorian Indicator was 6% higher and the Queensland Indicator was 34% higher. The increase above equivalent 1990 levels is even more substantial. In Queensland it has risen 116%, in NSW it is up 30% and in Victoria the rise has been 32%.

Rupert Posner, Australia Director of The Climate Group, said: “Most of the increase in emissions in 2008 was from coal-fired generators in Queensland and Victoria, which both produced an extra 1.5 million tonnes each. This was 3.6% more emissions from coal than in 2007 in Queensland and a 2.4% increase in Victoria. In NSW, emissions from coal-fired electricity rose by 0.7%.”

Emissions from electricity generation increased 2% in 2008 because more electricity was produced from coal-fired generators and less from gas and renewable sources than in 2007.

“The indicator demonstrates that our reliance on coal for electricity is our biggest problem when it comes to cutting our greenhouse gas emissions. We need to change this pretty quickly if we want to cut greenhouse emissions,” said Posner. “The results should be a call to action for everyone. The 2008 results clearly show we all need to start taking action now if we want to reduce our greenhouse pollution. The window of opportunity open to us to prevent dangerous climate change is becoming smaller but there are lots of things that people can do immediately to start making a difference. Those who want to do something can visit Together.com and find out easy ways they can help fight climate change.”