The Australian Government recognises the need to reduce emissions by improving energy efficiency and pursuing new, cleaner energy sources to power Australia for the future.
The ABARE report, End use energy intensity in the Australian economy, commissioned by the Australian Government and released today shows a trend toward improved energy efficiency in Australia.
The Minister for Resources and Energy, Martin Ferguson AM MP welcomed the findings that show the energy intensity of the Australian economy improved by 1.2 per cent a year on average between 1989-90 and 2007-08, according to the report.
Minister Ferguson said this means that households and businesses are saving money by using less energy and also delivering environmental benefits.
“Energy efficiency has an important role to play in reducing the growth in energy consumption,” Minister Ferguson said.
“In addition to improvements by industry in energy efficiency, the positive trend evidenced in the report also reflects the growth of the less energy intensive sectors over the last twenty years.
“Through our Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program the Australian Government is working with industry to identify opportunities for further energy efficiency gains.
“This program has already identified opportunities for savings that represent the equivalent of 0.7 per cent of Australia’s 2006/07 greenhouse gas emissions.
“To help identify further energy efficiency improvements we committed to extending the Energy Efficiency Opportunities Program to cover coal fired power stations.
“The Gillard Labor Government and some sectors of industry recognise that the introduction of a carbon price will drive further energy efficiency gains.
“This week the Prime Minister has announced the membership and terms of reference for the Multi-Party Climate Change Committee to explore options for the introduction of a carbon price.
“It is clear that the biggest impediment to further gains in energy efficiency is Tony Abbott and the Coalition.
“Our focus is on finding a sensible and workable solution to ensure that industry has the certainty it needs to invest in capital intensive projects, while moving Australia to a lower emissions intensive economy.
“The ABARE report shows that gains that are being made, but also that there is the potential for further improvement.”
Copies of the report are available from the ABARE–BRS website www.abare-brs.gov.au.