At the start of this week The Federal Government announced changes to Australia’s emissions trading scheme (ETS). Set to replace the carbon tax in 2015, the new ETS will be heavily linked to it's European counter-part. The European ETS has been operating since 2005 and covers more than 11,000 factories, power stations etc. By contrast, our ETS will apply to about 500 companies and is awaiting implementation. So, what are the changes? Changes for Polluters Those Australia companies that … read more
Renewable Energy Crowded Out
THE proportion of Australia's energy produced from renewable sources such as wind and hydro has declined dramatically over the past 50 years, a new report shows. Despite all the policy implementations and public awareness campaigns, Australian’s are getting a smaller proportion of their energy from renewable sources. The report by consultancy group Green Energy Markets showed that in 1960, renewable energy provided 19 per cent of the grids electricity compared to just 7 per cent today. Coal-fired … read more
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Warning: Australia’s Greenhouse Emissions are on the rise!
It has been a turbulent time during the last few weeks regarding the climate change issue. There have been a number of natural disasters all around Australia all linked to weather pattern changes. Although, some may argue that these would have happened anyway –saying that these have nothing to do with global warming- it is unlikely. There has been an increase of floods all around the world in the last few years as well as extreme temperatures resulting in bush fires or heavy snow falls in countries … read more
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Emissions trading scheme or direct action – What’s the best choice?
In Australia I see essentially two political choices for taking action on climate change. Vote for a party committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing an emissions trading scheme (ETS) or vote for a party not committed to an ETS and relying on ‘direct action’ to reduce carbon emissions. The major political parties are in essence providing these two choices to the Australian public – Labor for an ETS and the Coalition against an ETS. The two key minor, but still influential … read more
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What are you voting for?
The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) has released its scorecard for the forthcoming federal election, and will update it weekly. With only 3 weeks to go, the three major political parties have clearly put entirely different emphases on the importance of the world in which we live. Which best suits you?
Have your say on whether voluntary energy savings are recognised under the CPRS
Starting today, public workshops are being held by the government to get public opionion and advice about how voluntary climate change action can be taken into account when setting emission caps for the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS). Workshops are being held on the following dates: Perth 11 June 2009 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Rydges Hotel Perth Corner Hay & King Street, Perth Adelaide 12 June 2009 9:00 am - 12:00 pm Mercure Grosvenor Hotel 125 North Terrace, Adelaide Brisbane 30 June 2009 … read more
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Budget 2009: Pay twice to cut carbon.
Direct quote from the government's 2009 budget web site: "Households and small businesses will be able to calculate the potential dollar savings from their energy efficiency actions and make tax deductible donations to the Energy Efficiency Savings Pledge Fund. The Australian Carbon Trust will use these donations to purchase and retire Australian emissions units or purchase carbon offsets." What this means: If you voluntarily cut your household energy consumption to save greenhouse gas - sorry … read more
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Forget the CPRS – its up to you
This blog aims to show how acting vigorously to reduce carbon emissions is good for the environment and good for business. That it is possible to create a "win-win" with the right approach. The Emissions Trading Scheme - officially known as the Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) clearly, as explained in earlier blog posts, is climate negative - its not good for the environment. Various blogs today responding to the release of the draft CPRS legislation by Climate Change Minister Penny … read more
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The ETS wipes 7 years off my life and perhaps yours too.
Many individuals and organisations – such as CarbonetiX – are passionate about reducing carbon emissions. CarbonetiX exists to reduce carbon emissions. And we have helped our customers cut their carbon. Many individuals and organisations are similar to us. We believe that Australia and the world must make massive cuts to greenhouse gas emissions not by 2050 but NOW. But under the Rudd government’s emissions trading scheme our passion, effort, intellect, capital, time, risk, over-time, learning, … read more
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