Renewables set emissions downward

Australia’s emissions were lower in the September 2023 quarter than the same period in 2022, according to the quarterly update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory released today.

Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are now 25.4 percent below June 2005 levels, the base year for Australia’s targets under the Paris Agreement.

Total emissions were at 459.7 million tonnes across all sectors, about 2.2 million tonnes less than the previous September quarter, or 0.5 percent down.

The latest update shows the increasing share of renewables helped cut electricity sector emissions by 4.9 percent, or 7.7 million tonnes over the year to September 2023.

This increasing share of renewables is being accompanied by lower prices – Q3 2023 delivered a 71 percent decrease in wholesale prices from the previous year.

Industrial process emissions were down 0.5 percent, and fugitive emissions were down 2.3 percent or over one million tonnes of Co2 equivalent.

The federal government said in a statement that its reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism would help deliver further reductions over the medium and long-term.

In the year to September 2023, transport emissions increased by 4.5 percent and agriculture by 2.5 percent – in part due to the ongoing recovery from the pandemic and favourable conditions in agriculture.

Climate change minister Chris Bowen said: “Australia’s renewable surge helped to deliver a 71 percent decrease in wholesale electricity prices over this period – while also driving down emissions.

“The government is investing in cleaner cheaper, cleaner power and future proofing our economy.”

Picture: Chris Bowen