Carbon Alert - August 2010

A monthly resource round-up of recently released reports and upcoming events and training opportunities.

Election 2010

Analysis

Election Scorecard 2010. The Australian Conservation Foundation's assessment of party policies against environmental outcomes.

Pollute O Meter. The Climate Institute's interactive online tool to stay up-to-date on the Parties' climate change policies and projected carbon abatement.

Australian Democrats

Talking Sense on Climate Change

Australian Greens

Climate Change and Energy Policy.

Supporting Emerging Renewable Energy Technologies. Policy to replace Australia’s reliance on coal with 100% renewable energy.

Australian Labor Party

Cleaner Power Stations. Introduction of new emissions standards for all new coal-fired power stations, including being Carbon Capture and Storage-ready (CCS-ready).

Connecting Renewables. Invest $1 billion over the next decade in the electricity networks to connect Australia’s remote renewable resources to the grid.

Reward for Early Action. Emissions baselines for industry assistance will not be increased to give investment certainty.

Cleaner Car Rebate. $394 million to support motorists to purchase new, low-emission, fuel efficient vehicles.

Emission Standards for Cars. Introduction of new mandatory carbon dioxide emission standards for all new light vehicles, including cars, from 2015.

Tax Breaks for New Buildings. Businesses that invest in eligible assets or capital works to improve the energy efficiency of their existing buildings – from 2 stars or lower to 4 stars or higher – will be able to apply for a one-off bonus tax deduction.

Coalition – Liberal Party of Australia and National Party

Direct Action Plan on the Environment and Climate Change

Emissions Reduction Fund. Establish a Fund to directly support CO₂ emissions reduction activities by business and industry, as well as fund programs such as:
- Soil Carbon – Once in a Century Replenishment of our Soils
- Reducing CO₂ Emissions in the Electricity Sector
Direct Action on Renewable Energy and a New Solar Sunrise for Australia. Introduction of a range initiatives to boost renewable energy use in Australian homes and communities, including investing $100 million each year for an additional one million solar energy homes by 2020.

EPA Victoria and the Carbon Innovators Network does not endorse any political party or canditate.

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Climate Change Policy and Legislation

Why a Carbon Tax is Good for the Hip Pocket. This paper presents clear evidence that the introduction of a simple carbon tax has the potential to raise new revenue and improve the financial position of an average family. Released by Richard Denniss and David Richardson, The Australia Institute (August 2010)

First Opportunities Report: A Look at the Results. This report is based on data reported to the Energy Efficiency Opportunities program by large energy-using corporations to the government and the public in December 2008 (August 2010)

National Greenhouse Account (NGA) Factors. Prepared by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency for use by companies and individuals to estimate greenhouse gas emissions for their own purposes, voluntary action and for reference (July 2010)

The Register of Greenhouse and Energy Auditors. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency has registered the first round of auditors that it will use to verify reports from companies under the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting scheme (July 2010)

Treatment of Voluntarily Purchased Renewable Energy in the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting System. Discussion paper released by the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency to seek feedback on the treatment of voluntary renewable energy and voluntarily surrendered Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) under the NGER System. Submissions must be made by 13 September 2011 (July 2010)
Discussion Paper
Submission Template

National Electricity Amendment (Publication of a Carbon Dioxide Equivalent Intensity Index for the National Electricity Market) Rule 2010. Rule change and final rule determination released by Australian Energy Market Commission. (July 2010)

National Electricity Amendment (Payments under Feed-in Schemes and Climate Change Funds) Rule 2010. Rule change and final rule determination released by Australian Energy Market Commission governing cost recovery for payments made under feed-in tariff schemes (July 2010)

Supplementary Discussion Paper – Compliance Obligations and Enforcement. The Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency released this paper to canvas a range of design features of the proposed national legislation for Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS) and energy labelling for equipment and appliances (July 2010)

Green Loans Transition to Greenstart. Media Release from Senator the Hon Penny Wong on the phasing out of the Green Loans program and the introduction of the new Green Start program (July 2010)

Updating the Register of Solar Water Heaters - Version 8. Call for submissions from the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator to update the list of solar water heater models eligible to have Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) created for them (July 2010)

Regulations for Air Source Heat Pumps and Off-Grid SGU Installations in Force. Information on the new regulations, released by the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator (July 2010)
Heat Pumps Current Agents Guide
Off Grid Current Agents Guide

Taking Action for Victoria’s Future. Victorian Climate Change White Paper Action Plan released by the Victorian Government Department of Premier and Cabinet. The paper sets out the Government’s commitment to tackling climate change including targets, an implementation plan and more (July 2010)

Climate Change Bill 2010. Bill released by the Parliament of Victoria, with a target of cutting emissions 20% below 2000 levels by 2020 (July 2010)
Explanatory Memorandum

Renewable Resourceful Victoria. A report by Sinclair Knight Merz and released by the Department of Primary Industries on the renewable energy potential of Victoria (July 2010)
Part 1 – Analysis & Discussion
Part 2.1 – Energy Resources
Part 2.2 – Energy Resources
Part 2.3 – Energy Resources

Opportunities to Reduce Tasmania’s Greenhouse Gas Emissions. The Tasmanian Climate Action Council has provided formal advice on the findings of the Tasmanian Wedge Report (July 2010)

Green Jobs: What Are They and Why Do We Need Them? ‘What are green jobs? What policies can create green jobs? And is the term ‘green jobs’ meaningful in itself or is it just a politically attractive phrase?’ Paper by Cameron Eren, David Richardson and Richard Denniss for The Australia Institute that seeks to address these questions. (July 2010)

Plan to Shut Down Hazelwood ‘a Bargain’. Richard Denniss comments on Premier John Brumby’s plan to shut down one quarter of Hazelwood in a Media Release from The Australia Institute (July 2010)

Delayed Carbon Policy Certainty and Electricity Prices in Australia. Article by Tim Nelson, Simon Kelley, Fiona Orton and Paul Simshauser, released by The Climate Institute estimating the additional cost to electricity users associated with the suboptimal introduction of new power generating capacity given regulatory delays (July 2010)

Soil Carbon and Australia’s Pollution Reduction Target. Briefing paper released by the Climate Institute on the Coalition’s policy on soil carbon (July 2010)

Action Plan on Pollution and Climate Change. A policy roadmap for Australia released by The Climate Institute (July 2010)

Meaningful and Cost Effective Climate Policy: The Case for Cap and Trade. A paper by Janet Pearce and Robert Stavins, released by the PEW Centre on Global Climate Change on cap and trade and reasons why it is the most promising approach to address he threat of climate change (July 2010)

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Carbon Management and Accounting

Goulburn Valley Water Carbon Management Principles – Case Study. This case study examines an organisation who have adopted the Carbon Management Principles to take a proactive approach to reducing it climate impacts and address potential risks posed by climate change. Released by EPA Victoria and Goulburn Valley Water (August 2010)

The Bottom Line on Offsets. A fact sheet released by the World Resources Institute, discussing various information about offsets, generating them, what makes them, reputable, and how they can be used (August 2010)

Carbon Footprinting: Perspectives from Australian Businesses. Report released by EPA Victoria and Global Sustainability at RMIT, presenting research on businesses experiences with carbon footprinting – costs, benefits, drivers, barriers, methods, processes and more (July 2010)

Carbon Offset Guide. EPA Victoria and Global Sustainability at RMIT have released a revised version of their Carbon Offset Guide, with 91 providers now listed. The online guide is a resource for business, government, NGOs and individuals seeking information about offsets (July 2010)

Climate Messaging Guide: Cutting Through the Climate Clutter. Released by The Climate Institute, Get Up and Environment Victoria, the phrasebook has been put together by a group of environmental, research and progressive organisations with an interest in sharing research-based messages on climate change with activists around Australia (July 2010)

Climate Advocacy Fund. A new fund launched by the Climate Institute and Australian Ethical Investment that will advocate for climate action by ASX200 companies (July 2010)

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International Climate Change News

Issues Relating to the Transformation of Pledges for Emission Reductions into Quantified Emission Limitation and Reduction Objectives: Methodology and Examples. This technical paper released by UNFCCC presents issues relating to the transformation of pledges for emission reductions into quantified emission limitation and reduction objectives (QELROs) (July 2010)

Clean Energy Ministerial Summary Fact Sheet. The first-ever Clean Energy Ministerial meeting, hosted by US Secretary of Energy Dr. Steven Chu launching 11 new initiatives to promote the advancement of clean technologies globally (July 2010)

National Renewable Energy Action Plan for the United Kingdom. A report release by the UK Department of Energy and Climate Change, providing details on a set of measures that would enable the UK to meet its 2020 target (July 20101)

Building a Low-Carbon Economy – the UK’s Innovation Challenge. A report by the Committee on Climate Change (UK), assessing current technology challenges and UK capabilities to support technology development (July 2010)

A Low Carbon Vision for Hong Kong. Discussion paper released by The Climate Group in China, giving a vision of what carbon reduction targets Hong Kong could achieve (July 2010)

CCS: Towards Market Transformation in China. Briefing paper released by The Climate Group examining different CCS implementation strategies with a focus on China (July 2010)

The Recovery Act: Transforming America’s Transportation Sector. Report released by the US Department of Energy on the economic impact of Recovery Act investments in batteries and vehicles (July 2010)

EPA’s Denial of the Petitions to Reconsider the Endangerment and Cause or Contribute Findings for Greenhouse Gases Under Section 202(a) of the Clean Air Act. Decision document released by the United States Environment Protection Agency (July 2010)

Global Ecolabel Monitor. Results of a survey reported by the World Resources Institute and Big Room to increase the transparency of the different ecolabels for the benefit of both producers and consumers (July 2010)

Confronting the Crisis of International Climate Policy: Rethinking the Framework for Cutting Emissions. Released by the Lowy Institute for International Policy, this policy briefing addresses the likelihood of a carbon price-based framework to achieve rapid cuts in global emissions and practical steps to implement such a framework viably (July 2010)

Measuring Carbon Emissions From Land-Use Change and Forestry. A LUCAS report released by NZ Ministry for the Environment on the New Zealand Land-Use and Carbon Analysis System (June 2010)

A Description of Current Regulatory Practices for the Promotion of Energy Efficiency. A report released by the International Confederation of Energy Regulators presenting information gathered from the world’s energy markets on regulatory practices aimed at fostering energy efficiency (June 2010)

Unlocking Investment to Deliver Britain’s Low Carbon Future. Report by the Green Investment Bank Commission, investigating barriers constraining green investment in the Britain and proposals to combat them (June 2010)

A USDA Roadmap to Meeting the Biofuels Goals of the Renewable Fuels Standard by 2022. Released by USDA to provide practical knowledge that can enhance various models for bifuels production (June 2010)

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Energy, Technology and Renewables

Energy Technology Perspectives 2010: Executive Summary – Scenarios and Strategies to 2050. Released by the International Energy Agency to provides decision makers with more detailed practical information and tools that can help kick-start the transition to a more secure, sustainable and affordable energy future (July 2010)

Wind Turbines and Health. A public health statement by the National Health and Medical Research Council (July 2010)

New Zealand Energy Data File 2010. Report by the NZ Ministry of Economic Development, providing comprehensive statistics and supporting information on New Zealand’s energy supply demand and prices (July 2010)

Developing our Energy Potential. Released by the New Zealand Ministry of Economic Development, this consultation document sets out the Draft New Zealand Energy Strategy and Draft New Zealand Energy Conservation Strategy (July 2010)

CSIRO Develops New Oil Detection Technique. Media release by CSIRO, outlining a new technological development that will enable petroleum hydrocarbons to be quantified using a hand held device (July 2010)

Victoria’s New Geothermal Atlas to Attract Investment. Media release from the Minister for Energy and Resources on Victoria’s ground-breaking new map highlighting Victoria’s geothermal energy (July 2010).

Victorian Consumer Guide to Small Wind Turbine Generation. Prepared by Enhar for Sustainability Victoira, this is a guide to assist households and businesses interested in purchasing small wind turbines to make an informed decision (July 2010)

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Climate Change Science

State of the Climate in 2009. Report released by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (US) confirms the past decade was the warmest on record and notes that more than 90% of the extra heat in the climate system has gone into the oceans (July 2010)

Climate Change: Making Up Your Mind. A guiding report by the Climate Institute providing the majority view on some of the more common climate change myths (July 2010)

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