The State of Western Australia

Western Australia

Population: 2.11 million (2007)
GHG Emissions: 66.6 million metric tonnes CO2e (2005)

On 6 May 2007, the Premier Hon. Alan Carpenter MLA released a major statement Climate Change: Making Decisions for the Future include:

a target to reduce emissions by at least 60 per cent below 2000 levels by 2050
a target to increase renewable energy generation on the South West Interconnected System to 15 per cent by 2020 and 20 per cent by 2025
a clean energy target of 50 per cent by 2010 and 60 per cent by 2020
State Government purchase of 20 per cent renewable energy by 2010

The State Government has committed to work with industry to develop a mandatory energy efficiency scheme applicable to large and medium-sized power consumers to invest in cost effective energy efficiency measures.
The Government has introduced 5 Star building standards for all new homes to reduce energy and water consumption from September 2007. Western Australia recognises that this is best addressed at the national level and continues to contribute to the National Appliance and Equipment Energy Efficiency Program to ensure the State maximises its share of the expected financial and greenhouse savings. Cumulative savings of AU$372 million (US$241 million) and 10.3 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions for 2003-18 are targeted for Western Australia through this program.

The creation of the AU$36.5 million (US$23.6 million) Low Emission Energy Development Fund which will provide funding for low emission energy demonstration projects, particularly geothermal energy.
The Government is working with industry to create the regulatory framework necessary for the development of a geothermal energy industry in Western Australia.
The Sustainable Energy Development Office (SEDO) is developing and implementing policies and programs aimed at stimulating growth in the sustainable energy industry. It promotes awareness and provides tools for households, government and businesses to better manage energy in ways that make a tangible difference to the environment. It also provides a number of grants, rebates and incentives for homes and businesses to adopt renewable energy.
Western Australia developed a 'world first' technology that essentially operates by processing mallee trees to generate electricity. Mallee trees were selected for this demonstration project as they actively combat salinity and the branches can be harvested every second year for an indefinite period without replanting, making them an ideal renewable energy source. Narrogin's Integrated Wood Processing (IWP) demonstration plant can generate enough renewable electricity for 1000 homes, as well as produce activated carbon (used in air and water filters and industrial processes) and eucalyptus oil. Yielding three products ensures a commercially competitive operation.

Through the bus fleet replacement program 270 diesel buses had been replaced as of December 2006.
The Department for Planning and Infrastructure (DPI) is implementing a Sustainable Transport Energy Program (STEP) and a State Rail Freight Strategy to guide Government rail initiatives

The government requires landfill sites to capture and use or destroy methane gas emissions.

In June 2002, the Government introduced legislation to Parliament to reduce the commercial and legal risks associated with the ownership of carbon and forest tree plantation rights by providing a simple and secure system for registering these rights against the title of the relevant land. These plantings will generate organic material such as timber, wood chips, natural products and bio-fuels. They will also generate regional employment and diversification, carbon rights and credits, and environmental improvements to counter salinity and biodiversity loss.
Launched in June 2003, Inifinitree" is a collaborative tree farming program, partnering the Forest Products Commission with private investors and farmers to grow commercial tree crops on Western Australian farms. The Government will spend AU$21 million (US$13.6 million) over the next four years to implement the program providing the direction and investment that is required to rebuild sustainable land use in the cleared agricultural regions of the State.

A Greenhouse Foresight Study will be carried out to investigate opportunities for Western Australia in greenhouse technologies and services.
The Western Australian Government, through the Centres of Excellence program, is encouraging the development of world-class research infrastructure that assists with greenhouse research, innovation and technology development.

Western Australia has enacted the Carbon Rights Act (2003), the Tree Plantations Agreement Act (2003) , and has amended the Transfer of Land Act (1893) to create carbon rights as a tradable entity.
The Western Australian Government will establish an effective regulatory regime for geosequestration, including new specific legislation and regulations if necessary, to manage CO2 handling, injection and storage prior to approving specific proposals.