RECEIVE UPDATESClimate Change & Energy
The ACT Greens believe:
1. it is necessary to limit global warming to a maximum of 2° Celsius, and our global, national and local climate change strategies must reflect this need
2. emissions reduction should be our primary method of addressing climate change
3. reforestation is necessary to absorb greenhouse emissions
4. immediate action is required to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and make the transition to ecologically sustainable energy systems
5. all government agencies, businesses, organisations and individuals in the ACT community have a role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions
6. economic instruments should be used as a means of addressing climate change
7. the cost of reducing energy use and greenhouse emissions should be equitably distributed across the ACT community and Australia, and internationally
8. ACT energy policy should adopt multiple strategies to reduce energy use, improve energy efficiency and improve the sustainability of energy production
9. the pricing of energy should incorporate the full social, health and environmental costs of production, transport, transmission and use.
The ACT Greens want:
1. a reduction of the ACT’s greenhouse gas emissions to at least 35 % below 1990 levels by 2020 and to at least 80% below by 2050 in accordance with latest Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change advice
2. a Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) of 15% by 2012 and 25% by 2020
3. the construction of all long-lived infrastructure to be consistent with reducing greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by 2050
4. ACT emissions reduction targets to be rapidly updated in accordance with increased scientific understanding of the impacts of climate change.
5. a stronger ACT Climate Change Strategy in order to achieve significant and measurable reductions in greenhouse gases by 2012, as our fair contribution to achieving the Australian greenhouse gas target
6. all new dwellings in the ACT to have zero net emissions by 2016
7. increased energy efficiency through mandatory energy efficiency standards for new building development, and extensive retro-fitting programs for existing building stock
8. a nuclear-free ACT and Australia
9. a “polluter-pays” strategy to encourage greenhouse gas reduction with appropriate assistance for those in need
10. to mitigate the expected impacts of climate change on the ACT.
The ACT Greens support:
1. requiring all major government decisions to include:
1.1. an assessment of their likely climate change impact
1.2. measures to mitigate this impact where possible
1.3. measures to adapt to the effects of climate change impacts where mitigation is not possible
2. calling for the National Emissions Trading Scheme to comprehensively cover all sectors of the ACT community, and ensuring regulatory burdens on small entities are appropriately scaled
3. ensuring that any ACT emission reduction scheme is based on the best available scientific research findings, and is integrated with the proposed National Emissions Trading Scheme
4. requiring the ACT Government sector to establish a timetable for purchasing 100% of its electricity from renewable energy sources
5. local research and commercialisation of renewable energy technologies
6. developing public education materials about greenhouse gas reduction strategies, particularly the use of solar passive and alternative energy technologies
7. targeted financial assistance for those in need to make the transition to efficient and renewable energy technologies
8. reviewing ActewAGL tariff structures to provide a clear price incentive to reduce energy use
9. introducing solar feed-in tariffs for gross electricity production and expanding their scope to include all renewable energy sources
10. developing, in partnership with local industry, a retro-fitting scheme for all residential and commercial buildings, mandating the installation of cost-effective energy efficiency technologies over the next ten years
11. incorporating world’s best practise energy efficiency standards into residential and commercial building regulations
12. improving the ACT House Energy Rating Scheme to:
12.1. report on total household/building energy use
12.2. mandate a minimum rating of six stars for new housing developments
12.3. extend the star rating system beyond the current six star limit
13. requiring House Energy Ratings to be included in advertisements for rental properties
14. developing and implementing a Commercial Property Energy Rating Scheme
15. setting guidelines for carbon sequestration schemes so that they promote vegetation rehabilitation and conservation of biodiversity
16. requiring the carbon cost to be reported in any plans to clear vegetation
17. encouraging urban and rural leaseholders and managers to incorporate locally native trees and other effective carbon sequestering vegetation into landscape design.
