The main effect of increased greenhouse gas emission is global warming, as Carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases absorb the heat in the atmosphere of the earth. Human activities are considered as biggest contribution of the greenhouse effect which causes global warming such as the burning of fossil fuels and deforestation. By reducing the flow of the greenhouse gases, it is possible to prevent the global warming and its effects such as 3 million premature deaths annually by the year 2100. Carbon reduction is the biggest measures which help in preventing the greenhouse gas emission. It must be noted that, carbon dioxide absorbs the heat which warm the globe.
This paper mainly addresses the carbon reduction strategy in the different sectors of the Australia, and it includes different parameters and facts related to carbon reduction. Lastly, paper is concluded with brief conclusion which summarizes all the key facts of this report.
This section of the report contains relevant information about the Australia such as population, economy, carbon emission, etc. All these relevant factors and their current details in context of background of the Australia are described below:
Population-currently, Australia has population of over 24 million and this stands the country on 52nd position in the world. It must be noted that Australia is considered as Word’s 6th largest country with size of 7,686,850 kilometer. As per the estimations, daily change rates of Australia in 2018 will be 921 live births average per day, 458 deaths average per day, and 606 immigrants average per day (Country Meters, 2018).
Economy- data related to the Australian economy for the current year is stated below:
|
GDP in 2018 |
$385 702 229 |
|
GDP this year per capita |
$15 398 |
|
Total National Debt |
$292 673 888 |
|
Total National Debt per capita |
$11684 (Trading Economics, 2018) |
Carbon emission- carbon emission in Australia is increasing on continuous basis, and it becomes difficult for the government to meet its international commitments. On a seasonally adjusted quarterly basis, carbon emission rose up to 1.6% in the quarter of March and this is stated by the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. As stated by the Environment Department the quarterly increase was the biggest in nine years (Hannam, 2017).
Current energy use, resources, and flow- energy consumption in Australia is increased by 1% in the period of 2014-15 that is almost 5,920 petajoules. Productivity related to energy also increased by 1 per cent in 2014–15, and has increased by 28 per cent over the past 15 years (DIIS, 2016).
Environmental concerns and risks- from last few years, temperate zones and coastal ecosystems reflect drastic changes in the Australia and there are number of wetlands which have been degraded. Changes occurred in climate and introduction of plants and animals are considered as essential changes that result from the environment of Australia. Intensive agriculture affects the coasts and oceans of Australia near the shore. As per the data almost 19,000 tonnes of phosphorus and 141,000 tonnes of nitrogen each year are discharged to rivers flowing to the coast (WWF, n.d.).
Recently, Australia made commitment under 2015 Paris climate agreement which mainly aims to decrease the emission by 5% below 2000 levels. This agreement imposed pressure on Australia to reduce their electricity industry’s emissions levels, and using the nuclear energy for the purpose of reaching de-carbonization in the network (Latimer, 2018).
As stated by the Current committee member and former president of the Australian Nuclear Association, most important role is played by nuclear energy in the de-carbonization of Australia if such energy is used in company with the renewable generation such as wind, solar and pumped hydro storage. As stated by the experts, availability and cheap prices of coal results in high dependence of global energy mix on the fossil fuel in near future, at least by 2040. Therefore, the main question in this regard is more about how to reunite coal in context of commitments stated by COP21 while providing energy to the consumers at affordable prices. There are number of accounts, clean coal and carbon capture and sequestration (CCS) technology which help the government in closing the gap between maintenance of energy security and reduction of carbon emissions (Global CCS institute, 2017).
If things work in same manner as they are working currently then energy future of the Australia is clear. Till the period of 2030, Australia seen continuous rise in the price of energy, but this increase is also depends on the fossils fuels for our electricity generation. In last year, $60 billion is earned by the from the export of coal and gas, as per the recent announcement of the climate commission almost 80% of the global fossil fuel resources required to hold in the ground for the purpose of limiting the increase in the global temperature. For ensuring regional suitability pricing system is required by the Australia which determines the actual cost related to households and suitability (The conservation, 2013).
In Australia NERA is working to increase the value in context of Australian energy resources sector and also to ensure that Australian oil and gas, coal and uranium industries become competitive at global level, sustainable, innovative and diverse. Demand in context of global energy is predicted for near future which is accompanied with the pressure to deliver lower carbon emissions in line with commitments at international level. Australia play very critical role to play in delivering efficient, low carbon energy to the world and become global leader in the innovation process of the technology. Therefore, it can be said that business operated in energy sector have immense number of opportunities in near future (DIIS, 2018). Following are some opportunities which can be result in profitability for the Australia business sector:
The Deep De-carbonization Pathways Project (DDPP) is the initiative which is conducted by the Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) and the Institute for Sustainable Development and International Relations (IDDRI). The most important objective of this plan is to understand and reflect how individual countries can change to a very low carbon economy (Deep De-carbonization, 2015). The main purpose of this project is to limit the global warming up to the maximum temperature rise of 2 degrees C which is more than pre-industrial levels by mid-century. This mainly requires the global emission to more than half by 2050, for ensuring net zero target. Australia holds the position in top 15 emitting countries which show immense progress in this context.
It is possible for Australia to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 and conduct it function within the limited carbon budget by using those technologies that exist today while preserving their prosperity in context of economics. However, economy of Australia does not require any fundamental changes but major technological transitions are required in different industries of Australia (Climate Works Australia, 2014). It must be noted that technologies required for de-carbonization are currently available or some are under development. De-carbonization related to energy systems in all countries depend on three aspects that are ambitious energy efficiency; low carbon electricity; and electrification and fuel switching, but in case of Australia situations are different because this country also has fourth aspect that is reducing non-energy emissions in industry and agriculture. Australia conducts different projects for ensuring de-carbonization such as emerging renewables. This project mainly explores the role in context of renewable energy technologies and biofuels for the purpose of de-carbonizing the economy of Australia. This project is conducted jointly by the Climate Works Australia and the Australian National University which mainly depends on the latest research conducted by CSIRO and Centre of Policy Studies at Victoria University. This project ensures following objectives:
Transport sector of Australia is considered as main sector which use petroleum fuels, contributes to the production of greenhouse gases, mainly carbon dioxide. Department of climate change stated that this sector includes all modes of transport that are road, rail and domestic air and water. It must be noted that air transport is reported but this is not included in the total emissions of the Australia because of the international guidelines. Opposite to the famous perceptions, contribution of transport in carbon emissions is comparatively less. In 2007, department estimated that transport only contributes 14.6% of Australia’s emissions that is more than 13.7% in 2006. In 2007, department further clarified that main source of transport emissions is the road transport, which means passenger cars are the largest contributors in context of transport emissions and other forms of transport contributes very less. Transport is considered as the largest energy using activity in Australia after generation of electricity, and this again grew progressively by 2% during the period of 2015-2016 (Parliament of Australia, 2010).
In context of energy mix there is oil which includes crude oil, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and refined products. All these products accounted for the largest number of share of Australian energy consumption at 37% during the period of 2015-16. Because of the transport, consumption of oil increased marginally by 0.3% in the period of 2015-16 and this is accompanied with the increased consumption of refined products. However, this is offset by decline in crude consumption and this result in the closure of the Bulwer Island refinery in May 2015 (DEE, 2017).
Transport sector mainly includes emission from the combustion of fuels for transportation, and this mainly includes roads, domestic, aviation, rail, etc. since the period of 1990 emissions in the transport sector have increased by 52% that is to be 93 Mt CO2 -e in 2015. For the year of 2020, emissions are projected to be 101 Mt CO2 –e, which means increase of 9% above the 2015 levels. For 2030, emissions are projected to be 111 Mt CO2 –e, which means increase of 19% in comparison of 2015 levels. It must be noted that growth in context of emissions are because of the increased transport activity which happens because of the population and economic growth.
Road transport is considered as the dominant source of transport emissions and these emissions are accounted for 79 Mt CO2 -e in 2015 or 85 per cent of total transport emissions. It is estimated that carbon emission will reach up to 85 Mt CO2 -e by the year 2020, and increase to 92 Mt CO2 -e by the year 2030. From the period of 2015 to 2020, it is expected that emissions will grow by an average of 1.6 % a year and also at average of 0.7% per year.
This decline in the growth of emission happen because of the improvement occurred in the efficiency and technology. It is stated that road fuel mix is mainly dominated by the petrol and diesel which is almost used up to 95% in comparison of fuel consumption in the year 2015 (DEE, 2016).
Measures adopted by Australian government in context of carbon emission include reduction in the carbon intensity of its investments in different scenario. It is necessary for the government to give priority to the integrated transport and also the strategies related to the use of land which mainly provides support to the NAMAs in context sustainable low carbon transportation. All these things mainly set connection with the urban and rural public transport, NMT and traffic safety, travel demand and traffic management, and intermodal freight and logistics systems development.
Another important aspect which is considered by the government is the integration of the carbon emission mitigation in the transport project and country plan development at the initiative stage. Additionally, department analyze the measures through which carbon footprint can be reduced in the pipeline for assistance by including elements related to low carbon sustainable transport and rethinking high-carbon. This is expected to make contribution to the strategy of 2020 by aligning with its main goals of environment and also with the broad equitable economic development objectives and cost-effectiveness (ADB, 2010).
For extra caution government includes the public transport in the transport projects such as by constructing and improving the low volume rural roads is generally important to the provision of public transport or privately provided intermediate transport services in the rural areas. It is necessary for the government to include different factors and frame different strategies in lieu of public transport.
On the basis of above stated strategies following are some recommendation in context of reducing carbon emission:
However, in context of power systems government can take help from the private sector in reducing and ensuring carbon emission and wastage of energy. For this purpose, government can introduce some strict regulations which guide the different industries in efficient use energy mix.
Conclusion:
After considering the above facts, it can be said that carbon emission in Australia is increasing on continuous basis, and it becomes difficult for the government to meet its international commitments. Carbon emission is contributed by different sectors such as power system, transportation, etc. Australia made commitment under 2015 Paris climate agreement which mainly aims to decrease the emission by 5% below 2000 levels. This agreement imposed pressure on Australia to reduce their electricity industry’s emissions levels.
Transportation is considered as another important source of carbon emission which results in the huge pollution and ultimately global warming. Department of climate change stated that this sector includes all modes of transport that are road, rail and domestic air and water. It must be noted that air transport is reported but this is not included in the total emissions of the Australia because of the international guidelines.
Government uses various measures in both the sectors to reduce carbon emission such as Deep Decarbonization 2050, use of public transport, etc.
References:
ADB, (2010). Reducing Carbon Emissions from Transport Projects. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.oecd.org/derec/adb/47170274.pdf.
ARENA, (2018). Pathways to Deep De-carbonization in 2050. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://arena.gov.au/projects/pathways-to-deep-decarbonisation-in-2050/.
Climate Works Australia, (2014). Pathways to deep decarbonisation in 2050: how australia can prosper in a low carbon world. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.climateworksaustralia.org/project/national-projects/pathways-deep-decarbonisation-2050-how-australia-can-prosper-low-carbon.
Country Meters, (2018). Australia Population. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://countrymeters.info/en/Australia#population_2018.
DEE, (2016). Australia’s emissions projections 2016. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/resources/9437fe27-64f4-4d16-b3f1-4e03c2f7b0d7/files/aust-emissions-projections-2016.pdf.
DEE, (2017). Australian Energy Update 2017. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.energy.gov.au/sites/g/files/net3411/f/energy-update-report-2017.pdf.
Deep De-carbonization, (2015). Pathways to deep de-carbonization. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://deepdecarbonization.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/AU_DDPP_Report_Final.pdf.
DIIS, (2016). Australian Energy Statistics. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.industry.gov.au/Office-of-the-Chief-Economist/Publications/Pages/Australian-energy-statistics.aspx.
DIIS, (2018). NERA. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://industry.gov.au/industry/Industry-Growth-Centres/Pages/Oil-Gas-and-Energy-Resources-Growth-Centre.aspx.
Global CCS Institute, (2017). Australia’s energy mix: still room for coal?. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.globalccsinstitute.com/news/australia%E2%80%99s-energy-mix-still-room-coal.
Hannnam, P. (2017). Australia’s carbon pollution soars, government data shows. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/australias-carbon-pollution-soars-government-data-shows-20170804-gxpd71.html.
Latimer, C. (2018). Safety risks stall nuclear role in Australia’s energy mix. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/safety-risks-stall-nuclear-role-in-australia-s-energy-mix-20180125-p4yyvj.html.
Parliament of Australia, (2010). Australian transportation emissions. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/Browse_by_Topic/ClimateChangeold/whyClimate/human/howMuch/transportation.
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The conservation, (2013). What will Australia’s energy future look like?. Retrieved on 21st April 2018 from: https://theconversation.com/what-will-australias-energy-future-look-like-16412.
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