News | Climate Change

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/greenhouse-gas-levels-increase/story-fn59niix-1226041201091

AUSTRALIA'S greenhouse gas emissions rose 0.5 per cent last year, driven in part by a large jump in iron and steel production as the nation shrugged off the effects of the global financial crisis.

National Greenhouse Gas accounts released yesterday show higher emissions from industrial processes, driven by a 44.3 per cent increase in iron and steel production, overshadowed emissions cut by lower electricity consumption due to a cooler summer in eastern Australia.
While Australia is still on track to meet its 2012 Kyoto Protocol targets -- tracking 3 per cent below the 108 per cent of 1990 emissions commitment to the UN -- the latest figures show how difficult bipartisan commitment to cut emissions 5 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020 will be.
Australia's annual emissions rose to 543 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent as at December last year, up from 500 million tonnes in 2000, meaning the nation is already nearly 70 million tonnes over its 2020 target.
Climate Change Minister Greg Combet said yesterday the reports showed that Australia's carbon pollution levels were continuing to increase. "Despite a temporary, short-term dip in carbon pollution as a result of reduced demand for Australian goods following the global financial crisis, significant challenges remain in all sectors to reduce our carbon pollution into the future," Mr Combet said.
"For example, the increase in carbon pollution from the energy sector between 1990 and 2010 was 44 per cent.
"This significant source, which comprises pollution from stationary energy, transport and fugitive emissions from fuels, makes up around three-quarters of Australia's total levels of carbon pollution.
"What this demonstrates is the importance of taking action on climate change in order to cut our carbon pollution and drive investment in a clean energy future.
"The government remains committed to the introduction of a carbon price to transform our economy and position Australia to compete in a carbon constrained world."
The figures contained in Australia's formal submission to the latest National Greenhouse Accounts to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change show industrial processes produced the biggest jump in emissions last year.
Emissions from stationary energy other than electricity were up by 5.4 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, driven by the production of non-ferrous metals and iron and steel.
Electricity generation contributed 36 per cent of national emissions, but fell 2.7 per cent over the year because cooler weather caused a drop in demand and there were historically high levels for hydro-electric generation available.
The fall in electricity emissions was also driven partly by a change in the fuel mix. Black coal contributed 7 per cent less to electricity generation while gas was up 22 per cent.
But many of the reductions in electricity emissions were seen as temporary, having been put down to the cooler temperatures during the summer in eastern Australia and the increased availability of water, which drove the higher hydro usage.
Emissions from cars and trucks rose 1 per cent over the year and fugitive emissions from mining grew 1.7 per cent.