PROGRESS ON CLIMATE IN AUSTRALIA

Renewable energy adoption around the world is playing an important part in the struggle to reduce the carbon emissions which are driving increasingly frequent disasters like weather extremes and bushfires.

Progress on renewable energy in Australia has been significant. More than one in three Australian households (around four million) have rooftop solar and thousands of households have bought home batteries.  Renewables now power over 44% of the electricity grid.  As the independent Climate Council has pointed out, clean energy is outperforming coal, electric vehicles are on the rise and the economics of renewables stack up and are what most Australians want.

While more can be done to extend our use of renewables and household and industrial-scale batteries, there are other steps that must be taken.  The most difficult thing – and something that is essential – is the phasing out of fossil fuels.  As the Climate Council points out, if the phasing out of coal, oil and gas was simple, it would have already been done.

Fossil fuels, it says, are held in place by a web of influence which includes existing contracts locking in decades of fossil fuel production, laws that were not designed to consider climate change, the economic benefit gained from exporting fossil fuels and Australia’s trading partners (many of whom have long-term contracts) relying on those exports.  While these web strands are certainly very powerful, there are individuals and groups working for change.

This has been an uphill battle where those benefitting from fossil fuel extraction and its enormous profits are experts at pushing back and influencing governments.  In a recent example of this, gas proponents called for more exploration following the Iran War fuel shock.  And that convinced the gullible NSW Premier to open up exploration for gas in the far west of the state.

Important in combatting these fossil fuel proponents is providing information to the community about what needs to be done and urging for the tightening of development laws.  Increasing pressure on governments to make the necessary changes will ensure they cannot ignore the climate issues.

-        Leonie Blain

Published in the Voices for the Earth column in The Clarence Valley Independent   10th July, 2026 under the title: "Progress on Climate". 

 

 

 

POSITIVES IN THE CLIMATE BATTLE - BACKYARD SWIMMING POOLS AND ENERGY USE & THE CLIMATE COUNCIL'S RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSESSMENT

Here's more good news on the climate change battle front. Last month, Fairfax Media reported on a multi-million dollar project predicted to massively reduce electricity usage during peak demand periods.

The scheme is focused on a somewhat unlikely target - backyard swimming pools. However, I was surprised to learn there are more than 1.4 million swimming pools in Australia accounting for an astonishing 10% of the average total demand on the electricity grid, and if all pool filters were running together, it would require the equivalent of two Liddell-sized power stations running at full capacity.

Clearly there is huge scope for savings, and the trial by Pooled Energy, which is supported by the Australian Renewable Energy Agency, would involve about 5000 homes and see householders hand over control of their backyard pools to return power to the grid during periods of peak demand.

According to the company's co-founder this can operate like a battery, reducing or increasing load as needed by providing demand management using an off-site smart network that collectively controls power usage of separate pools, making a major impact on energy load.

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At the same time the Climate Council, famously de-funded by former Prime Minister Abbott in his war on all climate change related matters, has remained active, and recently released a positive report on progress towards the transition to renewable energy.

The key findings of their report, which focuses on battery storage include:

- The cost of lithium-ion batteries down by 80% since 2010, with costs expected to halve again by 2025.

- 6,750 new household batteries installed in 2016, with estimates that 20,000 were installed in 2017.

- Renewables now provide 16% of Australia’s electricity.

- Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory are also investing in grid scale battery storage technology.

- Federal, Queensland and Tasmanian governments are considering developing pumped hydro projects.

- Australia could reach 50% renewables by 2030 without significant new energy storage.

- Australia must reach zero carbon pollution well before 2050 to effectively tackle climate change.

More cause for quiet optimism.

 -John Edwards

 This article was originally published in the VOICES FOR THE EARTH column in The Daily Examiner on March 12, 2018. 

OIL BUSINESS LIQIUDITY PROBLEMS A PLUS FOR CLIMATE ACTION

With senior Australian Government politicians still questioning the degree to which human generated emissions are contributing to climate change, we have every right to be concerned about the Government's commitment to the Paris climate change agreement.

However, there is encouraging news from around the globe. A combination of individual actions, efficiency measures, and businesses prepared to jump on the renewable energy bandwagon, has reportedly seen the total value of energy generated by fossil fuels plummeting by more than half in just 20 years.

Also, when oil prices climbed above US$70 a barrel, the industry borrowed heavily, but the subsequent price plunge has made it virtually impossible to repay those debts. A conservative estimate of industry debt of US$2.5 trillion has led Deloitte Financial Services to predict that at least 35% of the world's independent oil companies will declare bankruptcy by the end of 2016.

Last November, climate analyst, Carbon Tracker, was ridiculed by the fossil fuel industry over predictions that six of the world's largest energy companies, Royal Dutch Shell, Peabody Energy, Glencore, Coal India, and Exxon Mobil were “over-exposed” to debt.  In February, Peabody declared itself bankrupt, and is unlikely to be the last.

The fossil fuel industry is facing serious liquidity problems, and there is little doubt that the profitability crisis facing many companies is the result of an inevitable transition to renewables.

Texas A&M University researchers claim that by 2050 fossil fuels and nuclear power will become obsolete as viable energy sources due to increasing costs. More importantly, they claim that 50% of remaining fossil fuels must remain unburned if global temperature rises are to remain below 2ºC, and to achieve this, and avoid catastrophic climate change, 50% of the world's energy must come from renewable sources by 2028.

That is the challenge we face.

On the positive side solar power production has reportedly doubled every year for the past 20 years, while with every doubling of photo voltaic infrastructure there has been a 22% drop in cost. Amazingly, simple economics may be the world's saviour, and hopefully our Government will play its part.

-          John Edwards

 This  post originally appeared in the VOICES FOR THE EARTH column in The Daily Examiner on 2nd May, 2016.

CLARENCE ELECTION CANDIDATES' VIEWS ON TACKLING CLIMATE CHANGE

The Clarence Branch of Climate Change Australia has surveyed candidates standing for election on March 28 in the seat of Clarence about their attitudes to climate change.

Group spokesperson Claire Purvis was disappointed that of the eight candidates only the Greens Janet Cavanaugh, Independent Debrah Novak and Christian Democrat Carol Ordish responded.

Candidates were asked for their vision and plans on the future of electricity generation and how they would encourage renewable energy industries.  They were also asked how they would protect residents from climate change impacts such as coastal erosion, flooding and storms.

Both Janet Cavanaugh and Debrah Novak gave considered responses. Carol Ordish responded by saying that people everywhere are to be responsible for where they reside.

"Janet Cavanaugh told us the Greens have a plan to end fossil fuel power generation by 2030, having already moved legislation," Ms Purvis said. "They propose a state-based renewable energy support scheme, calling for an all-party commitment to a renewable energy future for NSW, enshrined in legislation, to provide a stable and attractive investment environment.  The Greens also plan to phase out coal exports, including retraining workers.  To protect residents from climate change impacts, they would require new developments to take into account sea level rise predictions, include buffer zones  to protect foreshores and allow for future coastal retreat, and plan for increased storm intensity in building codes."

"Debrah Novak also strongly supports phasing out coal power in favour of renewable energy.  Ms Novak is concerned about inadequate funding for climate change research and development.  She pointed to relationships between fossil fuel lobbyists and government as a barrier to a clean energy future.  She is committed to working with other elected  MPs with the same vision to advocate clean energy technologies.  In addition to strengthening building codes, she called for a consultative approach to coastal planning issues, including invonvement with traditional owners."

Ms Puvis was disappointed that neither Labor nor the Nationals responded to the survey.

"Labor's Trent Gilbert told a candidates' forum in Grafton that we should reduce reliance on coal.  He pointed to renewable energy policies in California, without spelling out any Labor proposal.  We have not seen any commitment at all from Nationals' Chris Gulaptis on the issue.  He should be actively promoting a switch to supporting renewable energy. It will bring jobs to the North Coast."

Ms Purvis concluded by referring to the fact that climate change effects everyone and that there is a need for a long-term strategic plan for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and phasing out our reliance on coal.

THE RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET IS IMPORTANT

The Renewable Energy Target (RET) is an important component of government policies which provide support for and encourage the development and expansion of clean energy - renewable energy - in Australia. Moving away from energy produced by fossil fuels is essential in reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change.

The RET which was originally supported by both major federal parties is under threat.   The Abbott Government, influenced by calls from the fossil fuel industry, conventional energy generators and those who are unconvinced about the threat of climate change, wants to cut the target.  It has only been prevented from doing this because it lacks the numbers in the Senate.  However, it is continuing to negotiate with senators in the hope of getting the required numbers. 

The Government's RET policy is extremely short-sighted.  

The Australian community has given strong support to renewable energy through the uptake of rooftop solar.  Over one million households have had solar installed on their rooftops as a result of the RET. This uptake of rooftop solar is continuing despite the cutting back of the very generous financial incentives of some years ago.  Part of this continuing trend obviously results from the declining cost of solar panels. 

 More than 24,000 Australians are employed in the renewable energy sector. In a country with rising unemployment, this is a significant figure.  If the RET is cut, jobs will be lost in this sector.  If the RET is maintained at its current level – or even increased– jobs will not be at risk and there is potential for increased employment in the sector. 

As it is, the current uncertainty about the fate of the RET is having serious consequences for the renewables sector. Over the last 12 months investments are down by over 30% across the sector and there are concerns that the industry may have trouble recovering even if a decision on the RET is favourable to the industry.

If the federal government is really interested in retaining and creating jobs and in combatting climate change it should be maintaining the RET at least at its current level.

            - Leonie Blain

This article was originally published in the VOICES FOR THE EARTH column in The Daily Examiner on 16 February 2015.

CLIMATE SCEPTIC LEADS FEDERAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW OF RENEWABLE ENERGY TARGET

Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, recently announced a review of the Government's Renewable Energy Target (RET).

 

The RET, set up under the Howard Government and expanded under Labor, mandates that 20% of energy will be derived from renewables by 2020.  This has obviously been a  bi-partisan approach to reducing greenhouse emissions. 

The target has already been reviewed a number of times but was again due for review under legislation this year by the Climate Change Authority (CCA) which the Abbott Government plans to abolish.  Although the Government has been unable to abolish the CCA as it does not have the numbers in the Senate, it has sidelined this independent body and set up its own review panel. The panel is led by businessman Dick Warburton, an acknowledged climate sceptic who is no friend of the renewable energy sector.  The background of the other three panel members has also not inspired critics with any confidence that the review will be even-handed.  

Indeed, comments by Prime Minister Abbott about upward pressures on electricity prices from renewables suggest the result he is looking for from the review.  Interestingly the Prime Minister does not mention the impact of improving infrastructure - the "poles and wires" component of the electricity grid - on the upward movement of prices.  This is yet another indication that the axe he wants to grind relates to climate change and clean energy and is not really about general concern about electricity pricing.

 In addition – and unsurprisingly - some of the major fossil fuel energy suppliers are calling for a reduction in the RET. They clearly do not want competition from clean energy sources which over time will become more competitive in price.

Those in the renewable energy sector are worried that the target will be reduced or even removed. They say that billions of dollars in investment will be significantly hurt if the target is substantially lowered.  Given the climate of uncertainty produced by comments from the Prime Minister and the apparent bias in the review panel, investment in renewables is likely to suffer even before the result of the review is announced.  

In an economic climate where jobs are going in manufacturing, logic would suggest that the Government would be anxious to encourage the expansion of the renewable energy sector.  The fact that it obviously has no interest in seeing this sector prosper suggests that ideology and not common sense is shaping policy. Is this lack of interest in renewables a sign that both Abbott and his Government still subscribe to the "climate change is crap" view?

The Government's review will present its findings to the Prime Minister's Department by mid-year.

The way this review has been organised – and the composition of the panel – is yet another indication of the Abbott Government's lack of concern about climate change.  There is certainly no sense of urgency about meeting the challenges we as a nation and our children and grandchildren are going to face in coming years.