The 2008 - 09 Budget includes measures designed to tackle climate change and one of the biggest greenhouse gas emitting contributors, the stationary energy sector. The Government’s climate change strategy includes an emissions trading scheme, a renewable energy target of 20 per cent by 2020 more than half a billion dollars for research and development and innovation funding, as well as funds and programs to make clean energy more accessible to households, schools and businesses.
Clean Energy Council CEO Rosemary Warnock said the Rudd government had delivered on its climate change election promises in its first federal budget.
Ms Warnock said that the government had taken the right steps toward a comprehensive framework of policies needed to successfully reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.
A total of $3.8 billion has been dedicated to climate change, water and environment expenditure in the new budget, $2.3 billion of which is specifically intended for dealing with climate change.
The new Department of Climate Change will receive $59 million over four years to develop and implement the Australian Government’s domestic and international climate change strategy. This includes $37.3 million over four years for the design and implementation of an emissions trading scheme as well as funding to support Australia’s participation as a full negotiating partner in all key international climate change forums.
The 2008 - 09 Budget also contains initiatives designed to lower domestic energy consumption and increase renewable energy use. These initiatives include:
* $300 million has been allocated to provide Green Loans for Australian households over the next five years
* Low interest Green Loans of up to $10,000 will be available to assist families to install solar, water, and energy efficient products
* $150 million over five years will be provided for the Tackling Climate Change - Low Emission Plan for Renters program. The program will provide rebates to accelerate the installation of insulation in up to 300,000 rental households.
Organisations representing the corporate world will also receive federal funding to reduce environmental impact, with $260 million being invested in Clean Business Australia and the Clean Energy Innovation Centre, through the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research. This investment includes:
* $90 million to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve energy efficiency in existing buildings
* $75 million for the Tackling Climate Change - Clean Business Australia - Re-tooling for Climate Change program.
Research, development and new technology
Clean energy research and technology is also being given a funding boost, with government investment in renewable and other clean energy supply and energy saving technologies.
Through the Tackling Climate Change - Energy Innovation Fund, $150 million will be invested over four years to focus on developing clean energy research and development capabilities in Australia. Of this, $100 million will be allocated for solar thermal and photovoltaic research and development, including the establishment of an Australian Solar Institute. A further $50 million will be committed for research into clean energy technologies in areas such as energy efficiency, energy storage and hydrogen transport fuels.
The fund also provides $500 million over six years to expand and accelerate the development, commercialisation and deployment of renewable technologies in Australia. While the measure has the potential to develop a range of renewable energy technologies, funding has been pledged to support geothermal energy advancement through a $50 million geothermal drilling program.
Other clean energy funding announced in the budget includes:
* $1.2 billion for the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism (DRET) to support energy technologies
* $1.7 billion invested through the DRET and the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Resources to deliver clean energy initiatives.
* $15.5 million for the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator through the 2007 - 08 to administer the national Renewable Energy Target.
* Further funding to develop Green Precincts promoting water and energy saving initiatives, establishing new Solar Cities, and grants of up to $50,000 to make every Australian school a solar school.
* $500 million over eight years in a Tackling Climate Change - National Clean Coal Fund to establish and support a coordinated national strategy aimed at bringing forward the commercial availability and deployment of technologies.
Ms Warnock said “With the Garnaut review coming up later in the year, we look forward to working with government on the all important detail of these key policies, required to meet our international obligations, and reduce Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
“Climate change requires a whole-of-government approach and the Rudd team have delivered.”
