SUBMISSION
November 2014
ENERGY GREEN PAPER
Coffs Coast Climate Action Group
Contact: Anthony Johnson
Email: ajohnsonbb1@dodo.com.au
BACKGROUND
Australia, along with over 190 other nations, agrees that collective global action should put
the world on a path to avoid an increase in global temperature of 2°C above pre-industrial
levels. The Australian Government reaffirmed this agreement at the Warsaw COP19.
A number of studies have demonstrated that global warming above 2°C would lead to
substantial costs to Australia’s economic, human and natural systems and would exceed the
adaptive capacity of key Australian industry sectors. It is clearly in Australia’s national
interest to avoid a 2°C, or greater, average temperature increase.
The Climate Change Authority (CCA) calculates Australia’s fair share (about 1 per cent) of
the global emissions “budget”, as a national emissions budget of 10.1 billion tonnes of
greenhouse gas emissions for 2013-2050. The global emissions budget calculated by the CCA
is estimated to give a 67 per cent probability of holding warming to under 2°C. The CCA
recommends emissions reductions of between 40 and 60 per cent below 2000 levels by
2030 – the centre of this range is consistent with this national emissions budget.
The UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) released its Synthesis Report on
2 Nov 2014. In summary, the report advises that the world needs to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions dramatically, it needs to decarbonise its energy systems, it needs to reduce and
eventually stop burning coal and it needs to shift investment from fossil fuels to clean
energy.
THE GREEN PAPER: ISSUES OF CONCERN FOR THE COFFS COAST CLIMATE ACTION GROUP
1. ENERGY FROM FOSSIL FUELS
The Green paper mentions “emissions reductions” in general terms in a number of places.
However, it does not adequately describe the context for emissions reductions, why
emissions reductions are considered desirable or necessary, or the quantum of emissions
reductions required post 2020.
The Coffs Coast Climate Action Group (CCCAG) considers that the energy White Paper:

must include a meaningful discussion of present and future emissions reduction
targets in the context of Australia meeting our share of the commitment to avoid an
increase in global temperature of 2°C above pre-industrial levels.
1

should include a discussion on how Australia’s energy policy will be influenced by the
findings of the IPCC’s Fifth Assessment Report.
2. RENEWABLE ENERGY
The Renewable Energy Target (RET) was established in 2001 and in 2009 a target of 41,000
GWh was established for the Large-Scale RET (LRET).
CCCAG understands that the RET, if retained in its current legislated form:



Will generate $14.5 billion of investment in large scale renewable energy projects by
2020 as well as significant investment in small scale renewables.
Will be a significant driver of job creation to 2020, with estimates that 18 400
positions will be created during this period.
Will contribute significantly to Australia achieving our unconditional commitment to
cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5% from 2000 levels by 2020.
CCCAG supports the retention of the 2009 target of 41,000 GWh of electricity to be
generated by the Large-Scale RET.
3. ENERGY PRODUCTIVITY
The CCCAG supports the approach of the Government towards improving energy
productivity.
CCCAG supports:



raising the minimum efficiency standards of the full range of appliances under the
GEMS Act 2012.
Improved and updated building energy efficiency standards through collaboration
with the States and Territories.
Significantly improved emission and efficiency standards for both light and heavy
vehicles.
CCCAG does not support:

the Government’s stated intention to abolish the Clean Energy Finance Corporation
(CEFC) or the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA). CCCAG understands
that these organisations are valuable elements in the current institutional
arrangements to support Australia’s current and future emissions reduction targets.
CCCAG notes that the Government has recently agreed to retain the Climate Change
Authority (CCA) at least until the next election.

CCCAG supports the retention of the CCA, but the retention should be permanent.
2