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Renewables surge, emissions fall as Australia closes on 2030 greenhouse targets

Senior federal government minister Angus Taylor is hailing “breakneck” renewables growth for Australia edging closer to reaching its 2030 reduction target.

May 31, 2021, updated May 31, 2021
A new report says emissions are out of control with no peak yet in sight. (Photo: ABC)

A new report says emissions are out of control with no peak yet in sight. (Photo: ABC)

A marked rise in renewable energy supply and COVID-curbed transport industry activity have helped to drive down Australia’s annual greenhouse gas emissions to their lowest levels on record.

The National Inventory has tracked the nation’s emissions since 1990 and the March quarterly update shows 499 million tonnes of carbon dioxide were released last year to December.

That represents a five per cent or 26.1 million tonnes reduction from the previous 12 months, said the report published late on Sunday.

Falling transport activity stemming from coronavirus restrictions reduced emissions from that sector alone by 12.1 per cent or 12 million tonnes.

But Taylor said the “breakneck” growth in renewables was the single largest contributor to the reduction.

“When we make commitments, we meet and beat them,” the energy and emissions reduction minister said.

“Emissions are now at their lowest level on record – 20.1 per cent below 2005 levels. We’re well on our way to meeting and beating our 2030 target.”

Taylor added low emissions technologies would enable Australia to reach its Paris Agreement target, a 26 to 28 per cent emissions reduction on 2005 levels.

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“Over the last two years, the projected emissions reductions required to achieve that target have fallen by 639 million tonnes – the equivalent of taking all of Australia’s 14.7 million cars off the road for 15 years,” he said.

“Between 2005 and 2019, the last year for which comparable data is available, Australia reduced emissions faster than many similar economies, including Canada, New Zealand, Japan and the United States.”

The federal government, however, has copped flak for refusing to follow other nations in committing to reach net zero emissions by the middle of this century.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has instead said he wants to hit net zero emissions “as soon as possible” and “preferably” by 2050.

Earlier this month, the 2021/22 budget allocated $1 billion on measures to lower emissions and $58.6 million to support an expansion of the gas industry.

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