The State of South Australia
The State of South Australia
Population: 1.6 million (2008)
GHG Emissions: 28 MtCO2e (2006)
Targets/Goals
- Achieving the Kyoto target by limiting the States greenhouse
gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels during 2008-2012
- To reduce by 31 December 2050 greenhouse gas emissions within
the State by at least 60% to an amount that is equal to or less
than 40% of 1990 levels as part of a national and international
response to climate change
- To increase the proportion of renewable electricity generated
so it comprises at least 20% of electricity generated in the State
by 31 December 2014
- To increase the proportion of renewable electricity consumed so
that it comprises at least 20% of electricity consumed in the State
by 31 December 2014
- To increase the use of public transport to 10% of metropolitan
weekday passenger vehicle kilometres travelled by 2018
- To improve the energy efficiency of dwellings by 10% by
2014
- To improve the energy efficiency of government buildings by 25%
from 2000-01 levels by 2014
- To reduce South Australias ecological footprint by 30% by
2050
- To reduce waste to the landfill by 25% by 2014
Top Actions
Energy Efficiency
- The Residential Energy Efficiency Scheme (REES) will help South
Australian households reduce greenhouse emissions and lower their
energy bills. Starting January 1, 2009, energy and gas retailers
operating in South Australia are required to achieve targets for
improving energy efficiency in households, through implementing
measures such as ceiling insulation, draught proofing and more
efficient appliances. They are also required to deliver energy
audits to low income households.
- The Government of South Australia has introduced a range of
mandatory water and energy saving measures in homes, including:
five-star efficiency rating requirements for new housing;
greenhouse gas performance requirements for water heaters installed
into new houses state-wide; new requirements for additional plumbed
rainwater tanks.
- The Government is also offering solar hot water rebates to
low-income households holding a Commonwealth Concession card to
help them comply with new hot water performance standards.
- The Government has committed to a AU$2 million, four-year Building Tune Ups project to make commercial buildings in Adelaides CBD more energy efficient. This has the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 70,000 tonnes a year.
Renewable Energy
- South Australias solar feed-in scheme was the first of its type
in the country. Householders and small energy consumers using solar
panels are rewarded with a guaranteed tariff of 44 cents (AU) for
every unit of electricity (or kilowatt hour) they feed back into
the electricity grid.
- More than AU$686 million in potential geothermal - or hot
rocks - investment is forecast for South Australia during the
period from 2002 to 2013. South Australia represents more than 80%
of all the geothermal activity throughout Australia in that
eleven-year term. This reflects widespread recognition of South
Australias vast natural endowment in hot rock geothermal resources
and the states supportive investment frameworks for geothermal
energy projects.
- The State Government is supporting the development of
Australias largest off-grid solar power station to be built in
Coober Pedy. This AU$7.1 million project will include the
establishment of 26 solar dishes, each one 14 metres high and
tracking the arc of the sun. When completed at the end of 2009, the
solar power station will generate about 1860 megawatt hours 13% of
Coober Pedys total electricity requirement. The State and Federal
Government are also supporting an upgrade of the Umuwa solar power
station in the far north-west of South Australia through funding of
more than AU$1.2 million.
- One thousand kilowatts of solar panels will be installed on the
roof of the new Goyder Pavilion, the centrepiece of the Adelaide
Showgrounds upgrade. This AU$8 million (US$5.4 million) project is
set to be the largest rooftop photovoltaic installation in
Australia and will allow around 10,000 square meters of solar
panels to be installed, generating 1,400 mega-watt-hours (MWh) of
solar electricity. It will also save around 1,400 tonnes of
greenhouse gas emissions each year.
- South Australia is committed to greening its schools. From 2008 all new major building works at schools will incorporate green measures, including the fitting of wind turbines and solar panels. This adds to the SA Solar Schools Program which aims to install 250 solar panels on schools by 2014, and the Green School Grants program.
Transportation
- The South Australian Governments 2008-09 Budget reflects the
importance of public transport, funding a 10-year, AU$2 billion
(US$1.3 billion) investment to upgrade, electrify and extend the
metropolitan rail network. On 15 October 2008 the Government of
South Australia announced a roll out of new, green buses to
Adelaides passenger transport network. The new Scania buses use the
latest Euro 5 Engine technology and are the most environmentally
friendly diesel buses available. These diesel-powered buses exceed
the most stringent emission standards currently set anywhere in the
world.
- A statewide comprehensive cycling strategy, Safety in Numbers,
A Cycling Strategy for SA 20062010, is being implemented.
- The Government of South Australia is working hard to reduce the environmental impact of the governments fleet vehicles, ensuring that half of the State Governments fleet cars are alternatively fuelled by 2010. Initiatives include: a large Liquid Petroleum Gas (LPG) fleet made up of over 1300 vehicles running on either dual fuel or dedicated LPG; the introduction of the Toyota Prius, an environmentally friendly hybrid/electric car into the short-term and long-term hire fleet; a preference for the use of diesel engine vehicles with computer controlled electronic fuel systems, which reduce emissions by 50% when compared to a mechanical fuel system.
Waste management
"South Australias Waste Strategy 2005 - 2010 calls for 75% of all material presented at the curbside to be recycled by 2010 and for waste to the landfill to be reduced by 25% by 2014."
Sustainable Agriculture, Forestry and Land Use Policy
- Through the Million Trees Program, the Government of South Australia is planting three million local native plants throughout Adelaide to help improve the citys carbon-absorbing capacity and conserve our unique local biodiversity. The program has planted over 1.5 million local native trees and associated understorey species since it was started in 2003 and is well on track to achieve its goal of 3 million trees by 2014. When the program reaches this goal, it will have reconstructed approximately 2000 hectares of predominantly woodland habitat, which over its lifetime will absorb an estimated 600,000 tonnes of CO2e.
Legislation
- South Australia was the first jurisdiction in the Southern Hemisphere to enshrine in law its greenhouse gas reduction and renewable energy targets, through the Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007.
Links
South Australia Climate Change Website