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Legislative Council - Fifty-First Parliament, Third Session (51-3)
2008-10-28 Daily Xml
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Answers to Questions

CARBON NEUTRAL ECONOMY

In reply to the Hon. M. PARNELL (7 May 2008).

The Hon. P. HOLLOWAY (Minister for Mineral Resources Development, Minister for Urban Development and Planning, Minister for Small Business): The Treasurer has provided the following information:

The government has recently announced a timetable for the South Australian cabinet and subsequently South Australian government to reach carbon neutral status for its own operations by 2020. By 2010 the government hopes to be mitigating 30 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by purchasing green power and the balance through the purchase of other carbon offsets. By 2020, the government hopes to be offsetting all of its emissions to achieve carbon neutrality by purchasing an equal amount of green power and other carbon offsets.

As stated in the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007, South Australia aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within the state by at least 60 per cent to an amount that is equal to or less than 40 per cent of 1990 levels by 31 December 2050. By 31 December 2014 the state aims to increase the proportion of renewable electricity generated so it comprises at least 20 per cent of electricity generated in the state. Additionally, the state aims to increase the proportion of renewable electricity consumed so that it comprises at least 20 per cent of electricity consumed in the state by 31 December 2014.

The legislation also commits the government to work with business and the community to develop and put in place strategies that will put South Australia in a position to take early action to reduce greenhouse emissions and adapt to climate change.

The government's targets as set out in response to the second question are indeed aspirational but with a price on carbon coming into the economy from 2010 through a national emissions trading scheme, an expanded mandatory renewable energy target and investments in research and development in low and no-emissions technologies at the state and commonwealth level, we are taking some serious steps towards reaching these goals. South Australia is committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions and is working towards becoming the first government in Australia to join the Greenhouse Challenge Plus program, administered by the federal government.

South Australia currently hosts 53 per cent of the nation's wind power, almost 40 per cent of the nation's grid-connected solar power, and more than 80 per cent of all geothermal exploration activity in Australia. Each of these is making, and will continue to make, a significant impact on the state's greenhouse footprint.

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