Energy and Water Strategy 2007-2010 - Sustainable Blue Mountains

BLUE MOUNTAINS CITY COUNCIL – ENERGY AND WATER STRATEGY
Each greenhouse gas differs in its ability to absorb heat in the atmosphere and all are converted to
units of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO -e 2 ) so that gases of different strengths can be compared and
added together. For example, one unit of methane equals 21 (CO -e 2 ) which means that methane
traps 21 times more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide.
Australia Greenhouse Gas Production
Australia has produced a National Greenhouse Gas Inventory annually since 1990. It is based on
international guidelines established by the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). These
inventories provide a baseline from which we are able to monitor and review response action and
develop projections of greenhouse gas emissions into the future.
The 2005 National Greenhouse Gas Inventory is the latest report on Australia's greenhouse gas
emissions. The Inventory provides greenhouse gas emission estimates in two formats, to meet
accounting provisions for the Australian Kyoto target, and for the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC).
The Australian Government along with State, Territory and Local governments have already
implemented a range of polices and programs, which are expected to cut greenhouse gas
emissions by approximately 67 million tonnes CO -e 2 per year by 2008-12. Without the savings from
implemented measures the ‘business as usual’ emissions growth for Australia would reach 123%
by 2008-12.
The Energy sector (covering the Stationary Energy, Transport and Fugitive emissions sectors)
contributed the majority of Australia’s total emissions in 2005. This is mainly due to the fact that
Australia relies heavily on fossil fuels for energy generation. Several factors have contributed to the
uniqueness of Australia’s emissions profile which has also ranked Australians as the highest per
capita emitters of greenhouse gases in the world (See Figure 3 below). Reasons for this include:
• Australia has one of the highest rates of economic growth of any developed country
(international demand for Australia’s resources, greenhouse intensive exports i.e.
primary products, energy and energy intensive products);
• Wide range of climatic zones
• Relatively high population growth;
• Long distances separating urban centres
• Land use patterns still undergoing significant change
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