1. What should the new VEET target be?
Other
Other (please specify a target and length):
[Required if 'Other' selected] *
at least 7.0 Mt CO2-e per year for 5 years
1a. Please outline why you prefer the
target you identified, or why you selected
"No response":
I would like to see a target that is as high as
is practical; one that encourages a real
attempt to decarbonise the economy. Much
of this can be obtained by making existing
and new buildings more energy efficient,
with a special focus on peak power
consumption.
2. Comments are invited on the modelling
approach used to determine the costs and
benefits of the VEET scheme. Is there any
additional data or information that should
be considered?
The modeling used was limited in scope and
did not make estimates of some additional
benefit areas. We know that the poorer
sections of the community tend to live in
poorly insulated homes and either suffer the
health effects of this or use more energy,
placing a higher burden on government
concessions. Thus, a higher building
efficiency will aid better health and lower
government energy subsidies.
3. Which greenhouse gas coefficient
should be used to quantify the reduction in
greenhouse gas emissions achieved by the
VEET scheme?
No response
3a. Please outline why you believe this
option is preferred, or why you selected
"No response":
I do not believe I am qualified to comment
on this technical issue.
4. The Department has valued greenhouse
gas emissions reductions attributed to the
VEET scheme by adopting a carbon
valuation series that was produced by the
Federal Climate Change Authority as part
of its 2014 Targets and Progress
Review.Please outline whether you think
this approach is appropriate for valuing
greenhouse gas emissions reductions over
the period 2016 to 2050?
The focus has been on the costs per tonne of
DOING the abatement, rather than the
benefits to the community of having DONE
it. As I have said earlier, the social benefits
in the areas such as health have not been
quantified. There has been much written
about the impacts of climate change in terms
of disease (eg tropical diseases moving
further South), reduced output of agriculture,
in severe weather impacts (bushfires, floods,
storms) and property insurance costs.
5. Is there a case to exclude any business
sector(s) from participation in the VEET
scheme?
No
5a. Please outline why this is your
preferred option, and comment on how
this should be implemented:
5b. Please outline why this is your
preferred option:
I believe that many projects looking at
improving energy efficiency will actually
reduce the ongoing costs and provide a good
return on investment to businesses doing
them. This is especially the case as the cost
of energy continues to rise. I would suggest
that the scheme focus on new investment,
rather than rewarding those who have made a
business decision in the past without this
support. New investment will also add to
jobs and economic activity.
6. Should the VEET scheme be amended
to better ensure support for low income
households?
Yes
6a. Please outline how the VEET scheme
could better support low income
households, and comment on why this
option should be preferred:
Low income households and renters tend to
miss out. Landlords do not have sufficient
incentive to upgrade their properties, and
renters do not have an incentive in donating
capital to them. Low income households do
not have the spare money to finance home
improvements in their own homes anyway. I
would like to see targeted incentives and also
for rental properties a minimum standard set,
to ensure that all houses are fit for the
purpose.
6b. Please outline why this is your
preferred option:
7. In addition to expanding the range of
energy efficiency activities available in
VEET, should any other action be taken to
target participation by certain groups?
Yes
7a. Please outline the actions you believe
should be taken:
Some relatively higher income families live
in large energy inefficient homes. Such were
the designs with large open spaces and
cathedral ceilings. I would like to see more
done here to assist people make their houses
more efficient.
7b. Please outline why no other action
should be taken, or why you selected "No
response":
8. Please suggest up to five activities that
should be prioritised for revision or
Given that the price of natural gas is rising
rapidly, it may be that phasing out
introduction to the VEET scheme. Please
outline why you believe these activities
should be prioritised.
discrimination that favours gas over
electricity might be appropriate (eg boosters
for solar hot water, reverse cycle
airconditioners for heating). Also, I would
like to see the extent to which previous
schemes achieved a substantial take up in
insulation and replacement of old inefficient
appliances. Perhaps wall insulation in old
weatherboard houses and double glazed
windows could now be encouraged.
9. Please suggest up to three changes
which should be made to improve the
VEET scheme. Please outline why you
believe these changes should be a priority.
The VEET scheme has encouraged a number
of initiatives into households, but has the
right mix been adopted in each case ?
Perhaps an "audit" approach might be useful
in looking at what would deliver the best
returns for a given property and the specific
initiatives that could be done at the same
time, involving the same technical
specialists.