ACT Greens MLA’s Caroline Le Couteur, Amanda Bresnan and Meredith Hunter will join in the Walk Against Warming tomorrow.

“It’s not surprising that this event gets bigger every year, as more and more people are recognising the challenge climate change presents,” Ms Le Couteur said.

“People are making a strong statement that we need action, and Canberra has the opportunity to be a world leader in renewable energy, energy efficiency and sustainability.”

“The Greens in the Assembly will be working for a Green New Deal to both stimulate growth in the green economy and significantly reduce our carbon emissions here in the ACT.”

The United Nations Climate Change Conference in Pozan, Poland is currently under way. Ms Le Couteur endorsed the words of IPCC chair Rajendra Pachauri:

“We need a new ethic by which every human being realises the importance of the challenge and starts to take action through changes in lifestyle and attitude”

“Every country in the world has to be committed to a shared vision and a set of common goals and actions…[to] help us move toward a much lower level of emissions.”

“As citizens of ACT, and the world we need to show our fellow citizens, govt and other organisations that we share Rajendra Pachauri’s view and urge them to take action now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” Ms Le Couteur said.

ACT Greens Environment spokesperson, Shane Rattenbury MLA, has described the swift implementation of Solar Feed-in Tariffs as a win for Canberra.

“The commitment made in the Greens-ALP Agreement to bring the implementation forward to 1 March 2009, will make the ACT a National leader in home Solar energy policy,” Mr Rattenbury said today.

“This is good news to many Canberrans that have already invested in Solar panels.”

“It also sends the message to those considering solar power for their homes that feed-in laws are on their way very soon.”

“We also want to see the Government’s Draft Interim Energy Policy issued next month for community input.”

“Canberra is well positioned to lead the way on practical solutions to climate change.” Rattenbury said.

Greens lead candidate for Ginninderra, Meredith Hunter, today announced a plan to better utilise Federal funding allocated to the ACT for household energy efficiency.

“The ACT Greens Energy Efficiency Makeover plan will increase the roll out and scale, targeting houses below a 3-star rating,” Hunter said.

“The Greens are calling for the ACT Government to put $500,000 on the table now, to fund the plan that will put Canberra a step out in front and take full advantage of Federal funding.”

“Under the program, homes would have an expert assessment of what steps are needed to lift their energy rating, then the retrofit would be conducted by qualified tradespeople and installers.”

“This is an integrated program delivering a one-stop service for people to make their homes as energy efficient as possible.”

“Wall insulation, curtains and blinds, gap sealers, solar hot water and other efficiency measures will be paid for, over time, by reduced energy bills. The scheme will manage the debt by attaching it to the house, and organising repayments through energy bills”

The benefits for Canberra will include:

-For home owners it will mean houses that cost less to run and are worth more as an asset;
-For tenants it will mean a warmer home in winter, and cooler in summer;
-For local businesses it will be the chance to gear up for the eventual roll out of schemes like this across Australia.
-A dramatic drop in our greenhouse emissions, and the chance for Canberra to point the way for the rest of Australia.

“This program steps beyond the ad hoc rebates and subsidies offered by other parties, to make sure that the whole community is set up for a low energy future” Ms Hunter said.

An Energy Strategy, a strong renewable energy target, immediate moves for a renewable energy plant, and a focus on energy efficiency are the key elements of the ACT Greens Energy Initiative announced today by candidate for Molonglo, Shane Rattenbury.

“The ACT desperately needs an Energy Strategy. With an imperative to reduce greenhouse emissions, the likely introduction of an emissions trading scheme, and growing demand, the government needs a clear roadmap for how energy will be supplied in the future,” said Rattenbury.

“The Stanhope government promised in December 2004 to develop an Energy Strategy, and conducted extensive consultation in 2006, yet there is still nothing to show. Instead we are seeing ad hoc decision making on gas fired power stations, feed in tariffs and half hearted pre-feasibility studies for solar plants.”

“The Greens know of at least two consortia who are ready to go to build a solar thermal plant in the ACT, but the government has dragged the chain on this. Seeking bids from interested companies to establish a major renewable energy facility should start immediately after the election.”

Other key points in the initiative:
-A strong focus on energy efficiency. Cutting demand is an important part of the energy equation, and the most economic way to cut greenhouse emissions. Numerous studies and examples show that energy efficiency initiatives actually save money;
-The Energy Strategy must include a renewable energy target for the ACT. The Greens believe this should be at least 15% by 2012 and 25% by 2020. This would complement our previously announced initiative to have all government facilities purchasing 100% green power;
-Moving immediately to accept expressions of interest for a major renewable energy facility of at least 35MW. Market testing may see bids for even larger capacity.

“We live in an era where not having an Energy Strategy is simply irresponsible, and the Greens will seek to ensure this is rectified in the ACT as soon as possible,” concluded Rattenbury.

Significant government legislation and policy initiatives in the ACT should be subjected to a Climate Change Analysis, Greens candidate for Molonglo Shane Rattenbury said today.

“With Professor Garnaut delivering the final instalment of his report, the stage is now set for serious action on climate change. This means that we need to be taking account of reducing our emissions every single day.”

“A Climate Change Analysis would necessitate conscious consideration of the greenhouse impact of government actions. It would provide the momentum and information to better inform decisions. Actions could then be taken to reduce the greenhouse impact at the very earliest stages.”

Examples of how this could work include:

• School Closures – with neighbourhood schools being closed, more students have to travel further, many being driven by their parents. A Climate Change Analysis would add a further perspective to a decision, and may alter the ‘cost’ considerations of closing a school;
• Urban Development – as the new suburb of Molonglo is developed, a Climate Change Analysis would guide decisions to ensure the highest levels of sustainability;
• Government investments – Climate Change Analysis would provide the tools to ensure the ACT is not investing in dirty coal fired power stations and other investments that contribute to cooking the planet, and on the positive side, encourage investment in clean energy.

“This would be a powerful tool to ensure better government decision making, as well as improving transparency to the public,” concluded Rattenbury.

Today’s ACT leaders debate was characterised by the two parties hitting out at each other, and a complete miss on discussing key issues, according to Shane Rattenbury, Greens Candidate for Molonglo.

“The focus on personal attacks and the lack of substance was disappointing,” said Rattenbury.

“Where was the discussion on climate change, on energy policy, on water security or transport?”

“While the major party leaders took great delight in trading accusations on trust and temperament, ACT voters were left in the dark on who will take leadership on critical issues such as climate change that will define Canberra’s future.”

“Today’s debate reinforces the need to vote for the Greens – to ensure that we aren’t stuck with the same old Labor/Liberal Punch & Judy show after the October poll.” Mr Rattenbury said.