❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice regarding the state government's measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the utilities and land use sectors, along with data on WA's emissions and ranking compared to other states and territories. The answer provides some specific measures and data, but also defers some questions to another minister.
AnsweredQoN 5479Legislative Assembly
QuestionView source ↗
With reference to the Minister’s comment on Thursday 26th
May - ASSEMBLY ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A: “The heavy lifting of any climate change
response and any carbon reduction response will always be delivered at a state
level…” I ask: (a) in
relation to utilities, can the Minister outline the specific measures the
Government is: (i) undertaking; and (ii) contemplating; (b) in
relation to land use, can the Minister outline the specific measures the
Government is: (i) undertaking; and (ii) contemplating; (c) for
the years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 can the Minister provide
WA’s: (i) total
greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) percentage
annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions from the previous year; and (iii) per
capita emissions; and (d) for
the years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 can the Minister indicate
WA’s ranking amongst all Australian states and territories in terms of: (i) total
emissions; (ii) annual
increases in greenhouse gas emissions; and (iii) per
capita emissions?
May - ASSEMBLY ESTIMATES COMMITTEE A: “The heavy lifting of any climate change
response and any carbon reduction response will always be delivered at a state
level…” I ask: (a) in
relation to utilities, can the Minister outline the specific measures the
Government is: (i) undertaking; and (ii) contemplating; (b) in
relation to land use, can the Minister outline the specific measures the
Government is: (i) undertaking; and (ii) contemplating; (c) for
the years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 can the Minister provide
WA’s: (i) total
greenhouse gas emissions; (ii) percentage
annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions from the previous year; and (iii) per
capita emissions; and (d) for
the years 2012-2013, 2013-2014, 2014-2015, 2015-2016 can the Minister indicate
WA’s ranking amongst all Australian states and territories in terms of: (i) total
emissions; (ii) annual
increases in greenhouse gas emissions; and (iii) per
capita emissions?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
16 August 2016
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
63 days
(a)(i)-(ii) The Western Australian Government’s support for small and large-scale solar and wind power generation has driven a six per cent decrease in the average greenhouse gas emissions intensity of electricity supplied on the South West Interconnected System between 2009-10 and 2013-14.
The percentage share of electricity generated by renewable sources supplied to the South West Interconnected System has almost tripled since 2008.
The State Government is currently trialling and implementing innovative low-emission solutions to conventional electricity supply. As an example, the energy trial at Alkimos Beach is integrating solar generation, battery storage and dispatch into a traditional electricity network.
Synergy and Horizon Power generate renewable energy or procure Renewable Energy Certificates from other generators of renewable energy within Western Australia or in other Australian jurisdictions to meet obligations under the Australian Government’s Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target.
Further detailed questions regarding initiatives should be directed to the Minister for Energy.
(b)(i)-(ii) The Western Australian Government is managing and expanding the State’s conservation areas. This includes programs such as the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy , which will improve the resilience of Kimberley ecosystems in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Changes to fire regimes in the savanna ecosystems of the Kimberley are reducing emissions through reducing the incidence of late dry season bushfires and improving conservation outcomes with contributions from Government, traditional owners and other land managers.
(c)(i)-(iii) The 2013-14 figures are the most recent data available.
Western Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 82.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2012-13, and 86.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013-14.
The total greenhouse gas emissions for 2012-13 are a 0.3 per cent increase from 2011-12, and 2013-14 emissions are a 4.5 per cent increase from 2012-13.
Per capita greenhouse gas emissions for Western Australia are 32.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2012-13 and 33.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013-2014.
(d)(i)-(iii) The 2013-2014 figures are the most recent data available.
Western Australia’s total emissions were ranked fourth highest of Australian States and Territories for both 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Western Australia ranked fourth in 2012-13 and second in 2013-14 for percentage annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions.
Western Australia’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions were third highest in 2012-13 and second in 2013-14.
The percentage share of electricity generated by renewable sources supplied to the South West Interconnected System has almost tripled since 2008.
The State Government is currently trialling and implementing innovative low-emission solutions to conventional electricity supply. As an example, the energy trial at Alkimos Beach is integrating solar generation, battery storage and dispatch into a traditional electricity network.
Synergy and Horizon Power generate renewable energy or procure Renewable Energy Certificates from other generators of renewable energy within Western Australia or in other Australian jurisdictions to meet obligations under the Australian Government’s Large-Scale Renewable Energy Target.
Further detailed questions regarding initiatives should be directed to the Minister for Energy.
(b)(i)-(ii) The Western Australian Government is managing and expanding the State’s conservation areas. This includes programs such as the Kimberley Science and Conservation Strategy , which will improve the resilience of Kimberley ecosystems in adapting to the impacts of climate change.
Changes to fire regimes in the savanna ecosystems of the Kimberley are reducing emissions through reducing the incidence of late dry season bushfires and improving conservation outcomes with contributions from Government, traditional owners and other land managers.
(c)(i)-(iii) The 2013-14 figures are the most recent data available.
Western Australia’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 82.4 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2012-13, and 86.1 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013-14.
The total greenhouse gas emissions for 2012-13 are a 0.3 per cent increase from 2011-12, and 2013-14 emissions are a 4.5 per cent increase from 2012-13.
Per capita greenhouse gas emissions for Western Australia are 32.8 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for 2012-13 and 33.7 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013-2014.
(d)(i)-(iii) The 2013-2014 figures are the most recent data available.
Western Australia’s total emissions were ranked fourth highest of Australian States and Territories for both 2012-13 and 2013-14.
Western Australia ranked fourth in 2012-13 and second in 2013-14 for percentage annual increases in greenhouse gas emissions.
Western Australia’s per capita greenhouse gas emissions were third highest in 2012-13 and second in 2013-14.
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