❓ A WA parliamentary question addresses the government's measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in line with the Paris Agreement. The government's response highlights initiatives like the low emissions energy development fund and state fleet offset program, while emphasizing the Commonwealth's primary role in regulating emissions.
AnsweredQoN 1248Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS — PARIS AGREEMENT
1248. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016.
(1) What
measures has the government introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Western
Australia?
(2) Please justify how the measures in (1)
will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in WA, in line with
the commitments in the Paris Agreement?
(3) Does the government have in place a long-term
plan to ensure that WA is contributing equally to the global commitment for
warming to not exceed two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in line
with the Paris Agreement?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
1248. Hon ROBIN CHAPPLE to the minister
representing the Minister for Environment:
I refer to the Paris Agreement entered into force on 4 November 2016.
(1) What
measures has the government introduced to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in Western
Australia?
(2) Please justify how the measures in (1)
will contribute to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in WA, in line with
the commitments in the Paris Agreement?
(3) Does the government have in place a long-term
plan to ensure that WA is contributing equally to the global commitment for
warming to not exceed two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, in line
with the Paris Agreement?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question. The Minister for
Environment has provided me with the following response.
(1)–(4) The Western Australian
government's view is that decisions on the design, implementation and
timing of the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions are primarily matters for
the commonwealth government and the federal Parliament so that measures may be
designed in the most economically efficient manner. The Western Australian
government supports complementary efforts to the national mitigation targets.
An example includes the Western Australian government's low emissions
energy development fund to support innovative low emissions energy technologies
at the pre-commercialisation stage. Over $17 million has been paid to nine
different low emissions energy projects between 2008 and 2016. Projects include
Carnegie Wave Energy's Garden Island pilot project, the world's
first grid-connected wave array and an international leader in wave energy
technology, and Richgro's anaerobic digester facility that diverts 150 tonnes
of food and organic waste from landfill every day while generating 1.2 megawatts
of power. Another initiative is the Western Australian government's
state fleet offset program for passenger and light commercial vehicles that,
firstly, aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its fleet of approximately
11 000 vehicles and, secondly, offsets the CO 2 emissions
that occur. The gradual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been achieved
through a program of pursuing more efficient and environmentally friendly
vehicles.
In addition, the Western Australian government is evaluating the use of
standalone power systems and integrated battery storage as well as
renewable-based microgrids in order to lower costs and improve reliability in
certain areas of the state. These renewable power systems and battery storage
will also deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. A $4 million
standalone power system pilot project, announced in July 2016, is trialling
solar panels and battery storage on six rural properties. A $6.7 million
project, led by Synergy and partly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy
Agency, is also underway at Alkimos Beach, north of Perth, trialling
community-scale battery storage with high penetration solar photovoltaics and
energy management.
Environment has provided me with the following response.
(1)–(4) The Western Australian
government's view is that decisions on the design, implementation and
timing of the regulation of greenhouse gas emissions are primarily matters for
the commonwealth government and the federal Parliament so that measures may be
designed in the most economically efficient manner. The Western Australian
government supports complementary efforts to the national mitigation targets.
An example includes the Western Australian government's low emissions
energy development fund to support innovative low emissions energy technologies
at the pre-commercialisation stage. Over $17 million has been paid to nine
different low emissions energy projects between 2008 and 2016. Projects include
Carnegie Wave Energy's Garden Island pilot project, the world's
first grid-connected wave array and an international leader in wave energy
technology, and Richgro's anaerobic digester facility that diverts 150 tonnes
of food and organic waste from landfill every day while generating 1.2 megawatts
of power. Another initiative is the Western Australian government's
state fleet offset program for passenger and light commercial vehicles that,
firstly, aims to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from its fleet of approximately
11 000 vehicles and, secondly, offsets the CO 2 emissions
that occur. The gradual reduction in greenhouse gas emissions has been achieved
through a program of pursuing more efficient and environmentally friendly
vehicles.
In addition, the Western Australian government is evaluating the use of
standalone power systems and integrated battery storage as well as
renewable-based microgrids in order to lower costs and improve reliability in
certain areas of the state. These renewable power systems and battery storage
will also deliver reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. A $4 million
standalone power system pilot project, announced in July 2016, is trialling
solar panels and battery storage on six rural properties. A $6.7 million
project, led by Synergy and partly funded by the Australian Renewable Energy
Agency, is also underway at Alkimos Beach, north of Perth, trialling
community-scale battery storage with high penetration solar photovoltaics and
energy management.
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