NSW’s leading conservation groups are calling on Coalition leader Barry O’Farrell to explain how his energy policy will reduce carbon emissions from current state projections and invest in energy efficiency.
“The recently released Plan for an Affordable and Sustainable Energy Industry is heavy in criticism but except for a good move on renewables, light on solutions. It’s astounding that it contains no mention of global warming or climate change when earlier this month, Professor Ross Garnaut warned that global greenhouse gas emissions would double by 2030,” Nature Conservation Council of NSW, Chief Executive Officer, Pepe Clarke said today.
“Placing a price on carbon pollution is the backbone of any effective policy response to reducing emissions and tackling climate change. However, Coalition leader Barry O’Farrell has already expressed his opposition to both a carbon price or emissions trading scheme.” he said.
“The Coalition’s policy appears to endorse more unsustainable growth in demand for electricity which will lead to more emissions and increasing prices with expensive investment for peak demand which is a key driver of the escalating electricity prices in NSW. The Coalition could help ease the burden of electricity costs with greater investment in effective demand management and energy efficiency measures for both households and business,” Total Environment Centre Director Jeff Angel said.
“A 20 per cent cut in energy use through energy efficiency would save the typical household up to $200 a year on their energy bills. It would also go a long way to reducing the 14 tonnes of carbon pollution produced by the average Australian home each year,” he said.
“We’re calling on Mr O’Farrell to release a comprehensive policy on energy efficiency during the State election campaign so households and businesses can be better supported to save on electricity costs while doing their part for the environment,” North Coast Environment Council’s John Jeayes said.
“The policy is also confusing on what will happen to existing programs under the Climate Change Fund ‐ a proven investment in future energy savings. The Fund’s energy demand and efficiency measures have delivered an average $28 per megawatt hour savings. In stark contrast, the electricity rebates proposed by the Coalition and Labor parties will be up to five times more expensive,” he said.
Joint media release from the Nature Conservation Council of NSW, National Parks Association of NSW, Total Environment Centre, The Wilderness Society, Blue Mountains Conservation Society, Colong Foundation and North Coast Environment Council.
Photo: Lance Cheung/Flickr Creative Commons
