Clean Energy Council Answers 2020 Summit Questions

Clean Energy Council answers the 2020 Summit questions for:
Population, Sustainability, Climate Change, Water and the Future of Our Cities

1.What are our long-term sustainability priorities, and how do they fit with our economic ambitions?

Australia's stationary energy sector is responsible for at least 50% of our greenhouse gas emissions; any climate change solution must target the energy sector specifically.

Climate change poses a risk to Australia's economic security and the need to act sooner rather than later is critical.

The Clean Energy Council sees the following five point plan as Australia's long-term priorities to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a sustainable living environment:
An economy-wide ETS (a price on carbon and a cap on greenhouse emissions).
Removing systemic barriers to allow energy diversification and development.
A market mechanism - a renewable energy target of 20% by 2020 and increasing if necessary.
R&D funding to develop new technology and speed-up commercialisation of emerging clean technologies.
Energy efficiency targets to reduce demand growth.

Significant carbon reduction is achievable and affordable but Australia needs to start transitioning the energy sector immediately. Successful management of the transition to a low carbon economy will lead to jobs growth and billions of dollars in new investment.

Studies show that a suite of measures; such as the government's committed increase to 20% by 2020 of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET), together with energy efficiency targets, will stabilise emissions from the energy sector and cost as little as 45c per person per week - less than a postage stamp.

2.What kinds of national responses are needed to manage the impacts of climate change, and what is the role of local action?

National response

The key to a healthy clean energy sector is investor certainty. To achieve this, the Clean Energy Council is working with industry and regulators to deliver a suite of sustainable energy policies that will effectively cut greenhouse gas emissions at least cost to the economy while providing the stability long-term private investors need to make business decisions.

The Council welcomed the federal government's recent public pledge to provide 20 per cent of Australia's electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020, but acknowledges there is still further work to be done in order to dramatically cut Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.

Any delay in establishing transparent, complementary policy frameworks leaves investors uncertain and will exacerbate the environmental and societal costs of climate change.

The Council is working with governments to:
Secure a stable long term market framework for clean technology development an deployment
Implement a comprehensive emissions trading scheme to create an economic incentive to reduce greenhouse emissions, overcome behavioural barriers to improved energy efficiency, and deploy clean technologies such as renewable energy.
develop the Bioenergy Roadmap - a strategic plan for the growth of the bioenergy sector in Australia to 2020

Substantial work also needs to be done in addressing the critical infrastructure shortage in the stationary energy sector. Finding ways to encourage private investment in such infrastructure is a critical success factor in Australia's energy and greenhouse abatement future.

Local Action

The Clean Energy Council works directly with business and groups that impact individuals. We support community approaches to combat climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The Council encourages local communities to:
Increase their knowledge about the impacts of climate change to enable people to make an informed decision about products they consume/use
work with local governments to help implement environmental initiatives that cut greenhouse gas emissions in their local area
Encourage local school to get involved in programs such as 'solar schools'
Look into installing solar panels or solar hot water systems for their business and home. The Council administers the accreditation scheme for solar photovoltaic (PV) installers and is working to ensure installers are qualified and accountable.
Support renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives.
Ensure community initiatives, such as small wind farms or solar systems, are inline with best practice guidelines.

Every person contributes to climate stability, whether it's switching to accredited green power, installing energy efficient light bulbs or supporting local clean energy projects.

3.What is required to increase cleaner energy production, increase energy efficiency and better manage demand? What role can Australia best play in world reduction of greenhouse emissions?

Again, the key to a growing clean energy sector is investor certainty. Australia has the technologies and knowledge to meet growing energy demand and evolve to a clean-powered, sustainable economy today.

The Clean Energy Council sees the following five point plan as a framework for evolving the energy sector, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and ensuring a sustainable living environment:
An economy-wide ETS (a price on carbon and a cap on greenhouse emissions).
Removing systemic barriers to allow energy diversification and development.
A market mechanism - a renewable energy target of 20% by 2020 and increasing
R&D funding to develop new technology and speed-up commercialisation of emerging clean technologies.
Energy efficiency targets to reduce demand growth

Australia's role internationally:

Australia has an important role to play on the world stage. As a mid-sized economy we have proven our influence in the world. Signing the Kyoto Protocol is the first step to accepting our role in managing the global climate change challenge.

Many of the Clean Energy Council's sponsoring members are international producers of clean energy facilities and components. A number of members are exporting their skills and expertise overseas as part of global clean energy projects.

The Council supports exporting our learning and knowhow; whether it's small-scale in the form of project management or large-scale as the design of an emissions trading scheme.

The Australian clean energy industry is ready right now with the knowledge and technology to deliver clean energy so we can start dramatically reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and set an example for the world. In addition, with targeted funding, new and emerging technologies will be able to quickly commercialise and compete in the clean energy market.

The Clean Energy Council contributes to discussion on climate change at a global level and is an active member of various international bodies, including the International Council for Sustainable Energy (ICSE), Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC), Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) and at the United Nations Forums on Climate Change. The Council's international team regularly attends key global forums to ensure Australia plays its part in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide.

4.What public conversation is needed about more sustainable consumption?

The Clean Energy Council is contributing, through managing a number of clean energy accreditations and developing best practice education for installers, to assist consumers in making sound sustainable energy choices.

Supportive government frameworks at every level will assist public acceptance.

5.How can we encourage households to be more involved in reducing emissions and waste?

Public education and trust in the products is the key. The Clean Energy Council is contributing, through managing a number of clean energy accreditations and developing best practice education for installers, to assist consumers in making sound sustainable energy choices.

Supportive government frameworks at every level will assist public acceptance.

6.What reform will require better incentives to use water well and create new water supplies. What needs to be done to make it work?

Australia's energy security depends on sustainable water management. Water is an essential component in everything from food production to energy supply. However current energy production requires significant volumes of water.

Diversifying our energy sector and meeting increasing demand for energy from clean sources, such as wind, solar, wave and many forms of cogeneration that use little or no water will assist Australia in both maintaining a healthy water supply and fighting climate change.

7.How can urban form, high quality design, transport policies and building codes make our cities more sustainable?

Energy efficiency - doing more with less - is an effective, immediate way to reduce energy demand while maintaining or enhancing function.

Energy efficiency is the next frontier in terms of tackling climate change. Legislating a national energy efficiency target, as well as improving rating systems, are the first steps towards lowering demand for electricity and developing sustainable cities.

The building sector is a key target for increasing energy efficiency, with the energy consumption of equipment and appliances within residential and commercial buildings in Australia such as lighting, heating, cooling and ventilation responsible for almost a quarter (23 per cent) of Australia's greenhouse emissions - a figure that is rapidly growing.

However energy efficiency is one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and energy costs. According to research undertaken by the Centre for International Economics, the building sector could reduce its share of greenhouse gas emissions by 30-35 per cent and save $38 billion through energy efficiency improvements, while still accommodating growth in the overall number of buildings by 2050.

Simple measures from changing light bulbs, to insulation and double glazing to more complex measures including retrofitting older buildings are all available on the energy efficiency spectrum.

The Clean Energy Council brings together the 3 fields of energy supply, business outcomes and environmental priorities. Our members are at the forefront as we move into a carbon constrained world. We have the knowledge and the technologies to drive a cleaner economy.

430 members (growing)
around 25 % power sector
directly employing close to 7,000 people
$5.7 billion in annual sales (2007)