Australia sees 2.2% annual drop in emissions
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The news: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) fell 2.2% last financial year, marking what the Labor government is calling the biggest annual drop in the country’s GHG emissions since the Covid-19 pandemic.
The numbers: According to new government data to be released on Thursday, around half of the 9.9 million tonne reduction was due to an increase in solar and wind generation pushing coal-fired power out of the system.
Additionally, pollution from power generation fell 3.3%, or 5 million tonnes as the proportion of electricity from renewable energy across the year reached more than 40%, The Guardian reported, reversing a brief rise in climate pollution from the power sector during the previous year.
The context: The Albanese government will use to figures in the year to 30 June as proof that its pro-renewable energy policies are paying off, with preliminary data for the September quarter also showing the annual drop in emissions likely to reach 2.8%.
The overall reductions were partially offset due to the continued increase in transport sector emissions, the AFR reported, driven by the popularity of large diesel-powered utes and SUVs, which contributed to a 7.8% annual increase in road transport diesel emissions. The total number of diesel vehicles in Australia has increased 101% since 2014, while petrol vehicles have increased only 5%.
Australia has committed to reducing its emissions (based on 2005 levels) by 42% in 2030 and by at least 62% by 2035.
The sources: Sydney Morning Herald, AFR, The Guardian
