4+ Million Ton YOY Increase In Carbon Emissions Saws Abbott's Green Claims In Half
Carbon emissions from the country's main electricity network continue to rise, undermining the Abbott government's efforts to curb the global warming pollutants, according to sustainable infrastructure consultancy firm Pitt & Sherry's latest Cedex report. Emissions to the end of February had increased by an annual rate of 4.1 million tonnes compared with the end of June when the government scrapped the carbon price, the energy consultancy said, citing figures from the National Electricity Market.
The share of black and brown coal in the energy mix of the NEM – which serves about 80 per cent of the Australian market – edged higher to 74.9 per cent. That portion is up from 72.9 per cent in July and is closing in on the 75.1 per cent share held before the carbon tax began in mid-2012.
Gas ramped up as an energy source, reaching a record 13.3 per cent share at the end of 2014, as suppliers in Queensland prepared to start exporting. The share has now eased back to 13 per cent in February and is likely to make way for greater coal production – and higher emissions – in the months to come. The share of hydro power and wind, at 7.2 per cent and 4.9 per cent in February respectively, was little changed from the previous month, said Hugh Saddler, principal consultant with Pitt & Sherry.
The rise in emissions from the power sector – accounting for about a third of Australia's total – comes even as electricity demand continues to wane as manufacturing shrivels and more homes and businesses take up solar power. Pledges by the Abbott government to meet Australia's target of reducing 2000 level emissions 5 per cent by 2020 may also be harder to achieve after pollution from the transport sector started to rise again at the end of 2014.
EDIT
http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/emissions-from-power-sector-still-climbing-as-coal-use-rises-20150303-13twq8.html
