Scott Ludlam (WA, Australian Greens) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

asked the Minister representing the Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, upon notice on 20 November 2012:

With reference to the quantitative study of current and projected Western Australian greenhouse gas emissions conducted by Mr Robin Chapple, which shows that new industrial development pending approval by the Western Australian Government is set to emit a further 83 to 128 million tonnes of CO2e per annum (available at

http://www.robinchapple.com/wa-co2e-emissions-estimates-2012):

(1) Does the Minister concur with the accuracy of the summary data on existing and potential future emissions sources as presented in this study.

(2) Does the Government consider that these findings are compatible with a 5 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2020; if so, how.

(3) Does the Government consider that these findings are compatible with an 80 per cent reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions by 2050; if so, how.

Joe Ludwig (Queensland, Australian Labor Party, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Minister for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has provided the following answer to the honourable senator's question:

1. The National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI) has estimated Western Australia's emissions to be 74 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (Mt CO2-e) in 2010. This estimate is used in the report.

Mr Robin Chapple has estimated that projects under construction or pending approval by the Western Australian Government may result in Australia's annual emissions increasing by between 83 to 128 Mt CO2-e by 2020 if all proposed industrial and resource projects go ahead and no additional abatement is undertaken. These projects include major LNG and iron ore projects being undertaken in Western Australia, Northern Territory and the Joint Petroleum Development Area. The Bureau of Resource and Energy Economics' Resources and Major Projects: October 2012 publication identifies that around half of these projects are committed. If all committed projects were to go ahead and no abatement is undertaken, the increase in emissions could be around half of what is estimated by Mr Chapple.

Emissions from major iron ore and LNG projects are covered by the carbon price mechanism. Under a carbon price these projects face strong economic incentives to reduce emissions in the cheapest possible ways including through the use of renewable energy, carbon capture storage and other lower emissions technologies. Accordingly, we would question the assumption that no additional abatement will be carried out.

2-3. The Government is committed to reducing Australia's net emissions to at least 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020 and 80 per cent below 2000 levels by 2050.

A carbon price is the most environmentally and economically efficient way to reduce pollution. Through the imposition of a cap on covered emissions the carbon pricing mechanism will achieve Australia's emissions reductions targets through a mixture of domestic and internationally sourced abatement. The commencement of new projects between now and 2020 will not alter the unconditional 5 per cent outcome, the ability to meet more stringent targets if the relevant target conditions are met or the ability for the net reduction of 80 per cent by 2050 to be achieved.