tag:theconversation.com,2011:/us/topics/energy-emissions-59180/articlesEnergy emissions – The Conversation2023-10-01T19:16:25Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2135422023-10-01T19:16:25Z2023-10-01T19:16:25ZReplacing gas heating with reverse-cycle aircon leaves some people feeling cold. Why? And what’s the solution?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550473/original/file-20230927-23-eo085s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=29%2C0%2C6600%2C4406&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">Researchers</a> and <a href="https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-victorian-homes-go-all-electric-2024">policymakers</a> are advocating all-electric housing to <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-cheapest-way-to-heat-your-home-with-renewable-energy-just-flick-a-switch-47087">reduce energy bills and emissions</a>. Using energy-efficient <a href="https://austclimate.com.au/how-does-reverse-cycle-air-conditioning-work/">reverse-cycle air conditioners</a> is a core element of the shift from gas.</p>
<p>However, not everyone is happy with the change. “I just don’t feel warm,” said some people we <a href="https://cur.org.au/project/housing-energy-efficiency-transitions/">interviewed</a> after they switched to reverse-cycle air conditioning. </p>
<p>Others are very happy with the comfort, <a href="https://renew.org.au/">hundreds of dollars in savings</a> and <a href="https://grattan.edu.au/report/getting-off-gas/%20CAP_Gas_Research_Final_Report_251114_v2.0.pdf">low lifetime carbon emissions</a>. </p>
<p>How can different people have such varied experiences with the same technology? Our computer modelling of air flows in the home offers an answer: the quality of the building’s insulation makes a big difference to how people feel with reverse-cycle heating.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/all-electric-homes-are-better-for-your-hip-pocket-and-the-planet-heres-how-governments-can-help-us-get-off-gas-207409">All-electric homes are better for your hip pocket and the planet. Here's how governments can help us get off gas</a>
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<h2>What’s different about this heating?</h2>
<p>Reverse-cycle air conditioners are different from traditional gas or electric heaters. They produce warm, not hot, air, and the unit is usually mounted high on a wall. This is a suitable position for cooling but not so effective for heating. </p>
<p>When cooling, output air cools the hot air near the ceiling and the air movement provides a complementary cool breeze.</p>
<p>In heating mode, the warm outlet air cools down as it flows along surfaces such as the ceiling, external walls, windows and floor and mixes with cool air. It is then drawn back to the air conditioner where it is reheated.</p>
<p>If the building is poorly insulated and has single-glazed windows, the surface temperatures in the home are low and heat losses and temperature drops are high. The cooled air flowing close to the floor creates a “wind chill” effect – it feels like a cold draught. </p>
<p>Also, our warm bodies radiate heat to the cold surfaces of the walls and windows. This means we tend to feel even colder when we are near them.</p>
<p>In contrast, the surfaces of insulated walls, ceilings, floors and windows stay warmer and allow much less heat loss. When the heated air touches them, it stays relatively warm as it flows back to the air conditioner to be reheated. The air circulating in the room is warmer, which reduces the “wind chill” effect. </p>
<p>Because the surfaces of insulated walls and windows are much warmer, our bodies also radiate much less heat to them, so we feel warmer. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/cooking-and-heating-without-gas-what-are-the-impacts-of-shifting-to-all-electric-homes-210649">Cooking (and heating) without gas: what are the impacts of shifting to all-electric homes?</a>
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<h2>Our modelling shows these effects</h2>
<p>We modelled the heating energy and temperature distributions in a living room of a 1960s home. It had large areas of glazing on two side walls, an internal end wall and a reverse-cycle air conditioner mounted high on the external end wall. </p>
<p>Case 1 was uninsulated with single glazing. Case 2 had insulated walls, ceiling and floor and double glazing. </p>
<p>The temperature distributions are shown below.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Graphic showing temperature distributions in a poorly insulated room heated by a reverse-cycle air conditioner" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=364&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550796/original/file-20230928-15-lvyemd.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=458&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Case 1: temperature distribution in uninsulated room with single glazing.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Authors</span></span>
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<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Heat map graphic showing temperature distributions in an insulated room with double glazing heated by a reverse-cycle air conditioner" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=359&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/550797/original/file-20230928-21-jx07r1.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="caption">Case 2: temperature distribution in insulated room with double glazing.</span>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/want-an-easy-400-a-year-ditch-the-gas-heater-in-your-home-for-an-electric-split-system-201941">Want an easy $400 a year? Ditch the gas heater in your home for an electric split system</a>
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<p>For both scenarios, the outdoor temperature was 10°C. The air conditioner delivered 287 litres of heated air per second at a constant 30°C. This meant average room air temperatures were higher than if the thermostat was set at a typical 20–22°C with heat output varying. </p>
<p>This simplification showed how different the temperatures were in the two cases for the same amount of heat supply.</p>
<p>In case 1, as the heated output air contacted the cold, uninsulated surfaces, its temperature dropped so the average room temperature was 23.5°C. Air returning to the air conditioner was 24.7°C, 5.3°C lower than the outlet air.</p>
<p>Case 2 had a higher average room temperature of 26.5°C with a return air temperature of 26.4°C. The surfaces of the walls, ceiling and floor were warmer, which increased comfort by reducing radiant heat loss from occupants. Since the return air was warmer, about 30% less energy was used to reheat it to the 30°C outlet temperature.</p>
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<h2>What does this mean for home heating?</h2>
<p>These modelling results seem to explain people’s experiences of discomfort. The policy and technology implications are significant.</p>
<p>If reverse-cycle air conditioning is to deliver improved comfort, it should be combined with upgrading the building’s <a href="https://www.yourhome.gov.au/passive-design/insulation">thermal performance</a>. Programs that subsidise reverse-cycle air conditioners and <a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">heat pumps</a> should be linked to retrofitting adequate insulation and draught sealing. </p>
<p>Occupants will not only be more comfortable, but the air conditioner can be smaller and cheaper. Carbon emissions and energy costs will be lower too. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
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<p>Further research is needed to explore a wider range of situations. There can be different combinations of insulation, varying areas of glazing and window coverings, and other appliance-related options such as floor-mounted reverse-cycle air conditioners and ceiling fans.</p>
<p>If we want people to embrace heat pumps and reverse-cycle air conditioners as the new normal, we must ensure they provide the comfortable temperatures people want and need. Push-back due to feelings of discomfort may undermine progress towards a zero-emission future. </p>
<p>We need to understand the interactions between heating and cooling technologies and real-world buildings much better. We also need to make sure policy does not lock in certain technologies without fully understanding their impacts.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/213542/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alan Pears consults to industry organisations such as the Australian Alliance for Energy Productivity and energy efficiency industry groups. He has received funding from the RACE for 2030 CRC and government agencies. He is affiliated with several community organisations including Renew and Climate Council. </span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Nicola Willand receives or has received funding for research from various organisations, including the Australian Research Council, the Victorian State Government, the Lord Mayor’s Charitable Foundation, the Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, the Future Fuels Collaborative Research Centre, the Australian National Health and Medical Research Centre and the British Academy. She is affiliated with the Australian Institute of Architects.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Trivess Moore has received funding from various organisations including the Australian Research Council, Australian Housing and Urban Research Institute, Victorian Government and various industry partners. He is a trustee of the Fuel Poverty Research Network.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Sara Vahaji does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>People who switch from gas to reverse-cycle air conditioning to heat their homes still want to feel comfortable. Some don’t. Home electrification programs must tackle the causes of the problem.Alan Pears, Senior Industry Fellow, RMIT UniversityNicola Willand, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversitySara Vahaji, Lecturer, School of Engineering, RMIT UniversityTrivess Moore, Senior Lecturer, School of Property, Construction and Project Management, RMIT UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1937062022-11-10T02:28:00Z2022-11-10T02:28:00ZAustralia’s record on energy efficiency has been woeful for decades, but that could be about to change<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/494562/original/file-20221110-11077-fjlwnd.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=186%2C0%2C4113%2C2740&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Over many years, Australia has barely increased the efficiency of its energy use. Energy consumption per dollar of GDP <a href="https://ccep.crawford.anu.edu.au/sites/default/files/publication/ccep_crawford_anu_edu_au/2020-11/ccep_20-08_working_paper_hugh_saddler.pdf">decreased</a> by an average of only 1% per year from 2002-03 to 2018-19. Over the same period, energy consumption per person actually increased by an average of 0.2% per year.</p>
<p>Of 20 comparable developed countries, Portugal is the only other one to have recorded such an increase over the 15 years to 2020. (The two most recent years are excluded because the impacts of COVID distort these data.) </p>
<p>All the other countries, including European Union members, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada and Japan, <a href="https://australiainstitute.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/P1096-Back-of-the-Pack-110821.pdf">cut their energy consumption</a>, some by over 20%. The decrease for the United States was 12%.</p>
<p>The energy we use to support economic activity and supply essential services to consumers remains a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. That makes it timely that the Australian government today released a <a href="https://consult.dcceew.gov.au/neps-consultation-paper">consultation paper</a> on what it calls its National Energy Performance Strategy. The strategy is due to be delivered in mid-2023.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-has-failed-miserably-on-energy-efficiency-and-government-figures-hide-the-truth-123176">Australia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth</a>
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<h2>What is energy performance?</h2>
<p>The term energy performance usually refers to the technical performance of equipment that uses energy, such as a motor vehicle or a refrigerator. In this context, improved performance means reduced energy consumption to achieve a given output, such as distance travelled or cold temperature maintained. </p>
<p>The paper explains that its use of the term energy performance is intended “to encapsulate the broad management of energy demand. It includes energy efficiency, load shifting, fuel switching and behaviour change.” </p>
<p>This is a clever change in language, for several reasons. The first is that it uses a term that the public probably understands better than “energy productivity”. That was the term both the Gillard and Abbott governments used in white papers published in 2012 and 2015, respectively. </p>
<p>The second reason is that it moves thinking away from a near-exclusive focus on price signals and market efficiency, and towards technologies and engineering. The former approach dominated the policy discussion in both the white papers.</p>
<p>The third reason is that including load shifting and fuel switching will make it easier for the strategy to become a major component of overall emissions reduction policy. For example, load switching means people with rooftop solar shift some of their electricity use from night to day, thereby cutting consumption of coal-fired electricity. Fuel switching can mean replacing a gas heating appliance with a <a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">far more efficient electric heat pump</a> alternative. </p>
<p>Both approaches, if used appropriately, can reduce emissions and energy costs, without necessarily reducing the quantity of energy used.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/heat-pumps-can-cut-your-energy-costs-by-up-to-90-its-not-magic-just-a-smart-use-of-the-laws-of-physics-185711">Heat pumps can cut your energy costs by up to 90%. It’s not magic, just a smart use of the laws of physics</a>
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<h2>What are the benefits of improving performance?</h2>
<p>All four of the activities included with energy performance – energy efficiency, load shifting, fuel switching and behaviour change – will be able to reduce the cost of buying the energy needed to deliver an enormous range of goods and services. Lower energy costs mean lower operating costs for businesses and not-for-profit organisations and lower living costs for Australians. </p>
<p>This should not be seen as in any way diminishing the importance of reducing energy use by increasing energy efficiency. As advocates for stronger energy-efficiency policies and programs have long pointed out, improving energy efficiency in housing increases comfort and health, as well as reducing costs. The consultation paper endorses this approach. </p>
<p>The paper also points out that, for these reasons, for some years now, the International Energy Agency has termed energy efficiency the “first fuel”.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/our-buildings-are-driving-us-closer-to-climate-hell-how-do-we-get-back-on-course-to-net-zero-194166">Our buildings are driving us closer to 'climate hell' – how do we get back on course to net zero?</a>
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<h2>Paper’s focus on governance is welcome</h2>
<p>The consultation paper is structured as sets of questions on particular topics. Significantly, the first topic is not about policies and programs directed at particular groups of energy users. Instead, it’s about what the paper terms governance. </p>
<p>Nationally, Australia has had policies and programs relating to energy efficiency for over 40 years. The Fraser government first introduced such measures, focused on oil consumption, in response to the so-called second oil crisis in 1979. Since then, federal and state governments from both sides of politics have introduced, pursued and abandoned a wide range of energy-efficiency policies and activities. </p>
<p>In recent years, many policies were abandoned or progressively defunded. There were few significant new initiatives, with some state-level exceptions. Energy policies have been almost entirely concerned with the “big league” issues of energy markets, energy supply and energy security. </p>
<p>It is therefore most significant that this paper prioritises, under the heading of governance, the “need to strengthen the role of demand-side considerations in energy system planning”. It also includes, under governance, consideration of formal efficiency targets. Such targets are an important part of the policies of most of the better-performing countries.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/tracking-the-transition-the-forgotten-emissions-undoing-the-work-of-australias-renewable-energy-boom-162506">Tracking the transition: the ‘forgotten’ emissions undoing the work of Australia's renewable energy boom</a>
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<h2>All sectors are under review</h2>
<p>The paper then moves on to examine policy actions in each of the main energy-consuming sectors: residential, commercial and industrial. </p>
<p>The fifth and last topic is supply chains and workforce. These aspects have gained prominence in broader policy discourse over the past couple of years. Some observers see them as being among as the largest potential barriers to a successful transition of the energy system to a low-emissions future.</p>
<p>Comprehensive action is needed to make up for Australia’s woeful performance of recent decades. We will have to transform consumption and efficiency across the full range of activities that depend on energy.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/193706/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Hugh Saddler does paid consultancy work relating to energy efficiency and fuel switching policy. </span></em></p>Australia is an exception among developed nations in having increased energy use per person since 2005. A new consultation paper offers hope of policies that can lift the nation’s energy performance.Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1929412022-10-20T04:33:03Z2022-10-20T04:33:03ZVictoria signals end of coal by announcing a new 95% renewable target. It’s a risky but vital move<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490784/original/file-20221020-20-3hzq5b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C31%2C4188%2C2752&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>It’s the end of the line for coal in Victoria, after Victorian Premier Dan Andrews today announced plans for 95% renewables within 13 years. Until now, the industrialised state has been aiming for 50% by 2030. </p>
<p>But it’s also the end of the line for our <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-national-electricity-market-is-a-failed-1990s-experiment-its-time-the-grid-returned-to-public-hands-185418">ailing</a>, mostly privatised, energy market. Public ownership is back in vogue – in a recognition the energy market cannot deliver the transformation required. The Andrews Labor government would bring back the State Electricity Commission (SEC) if re-elected next month and use this to build new renewable energy projects. </p>
<p>At a national level, Labor is aiming for 82% renewables by 2030. So is Victoria’s target even possible? Yes – if the state government can overcome the major stumbling block of transmission. Building solar and wind isn’t the bottleneck – it’s the grid that isn’t fit for purpose. </p>
<p>Still, it’s an encouraging sign that the clean energy floodgates are opening in our eastern coal states. Queensland is <a href="https://www.qld.gov.au/about/newsroom/queensland-energy-and-jobs-plan">now aiming</a> for 70% renewables in a decade. New South Wales is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-to-make-single-biggest-investment-in-renewable-energy-20220609-p5asmc.html">forging ahead</a> with renewable energy zones. </p>
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<h2>Dizzying pace of change</h2>
<p>Why are governments boosting renewable ambitions so dramatically? Several reasons. In Victoria, there’s an election campaign under way. Labor is <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/11/guardian-essential-poll-daniel-andrews-in-strong-position-for-labor-victory-in-victorian-election">widely expected</a> to win a fourth term – and infrastructure is one of its strengths. This offers an exciting vision of the future – and any political blowback from cost overruns will come later on. </p>
<p>But other changes are afoot. Operators of ailing and ageing coal plants are looking for the exit. The huge Loy Yang A power plant – responsible for 13% of the state’s emissions – <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-coal-fired-power-is-in-sight-even-with-private-interests-holding-out-191951">will close in 2035</a>, a decade ahead of schedule. </p>
<p>Climate change is intensifying, with unprecedented floods in Australia and <a href="https://theconversation.com/a-climate-scientist-on-the-planets-simultaneous-disasters-from-pakistans-horror-floods-to-europes-record-drought-189626">Pakistan</a>, unprecedented droughts in America’s west and China, and marine heatwaves <a href="https://phys.org/news/2022-10-key-culprit-alaska-crab-mass.html">devastating fisheries</a>. Solar is now the cheapest form of newly built power. </p>
<p>Elsewhere around the world, offshore wind turbine technology has matured into 16 megawatt <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2021/01/01/business/GE-wind-turbine.html">giant turbines</a>, stretching hundreds of metres into the sky. And the Russian war on Ukraine has driven fossil fuel prices skyward, causing hip pocket pain to consumers around the world. </p>
<p>This move will also give Victoria’s emissions reduction target a shot in the arm. Nationally, a third of our emissions come from electricity. In brown-coal capital Victoria, it’s traditionally been 50%. Clean power will get the state about halfway to its emissions targets. The announcement today made no mention of other emissions sources – manufacturing, agriculture and transport. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/so-long-loy-yang-shutting-australias-dirtiest-coal-plant-a-decade-early-wont-jeopardise-our-electricity-supply-191577">So long, Loy Yang: shutting Australia’s dirtiest coal plant a decade early won’t jeopardise our electricity supply</a>
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<img alt="wind turbines in ocean" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=330&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=330&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=330&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/490805/original/file-20221020-19-jkobon.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=415&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Offshore wind, such as this facility off Germany, is booming.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">HANNIBAL HANSCHKE/EPA</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>But is it possible?</h2>
<p>Close your eyes tightly and squeeze. Can you see it? Yes, it’s physically possible – just. But I raise two serious caveats.</p>
<p>First, it means coal fired power will have to end. Second, we have to find ways of building the unsexy but crucial part of the clean energy system: transmission and storage. There’s a lot to build in a short time and the cost will tend to offset the low cost on the renewable generation. </p>
<p>When the coal power stations were built in the Latrobe Valley east of Melbourne – where the coal is mined – state governments footed the bill for the huge transmission towers needed to take the electricity to where people live and work. </p>
<p>Now we need to do that again but on a much larger scale. This poses serious risks. Rural communities are almost guaranteed to push back on large new transmission lines. They may well be in favour of clean energy, but they don’t want big new power lines. </p>
<p>Some might say Australia can’t build like this any more. But we can, as our recent fossil fuel infrastructure builds show. Only a decade or so ago, Queensland built huge new gas export terminals at Gladstone. The cost blew out, but it was done. </p>
<p>We can do it, but it will cost us. The conversion of Snowy Hydro to a pumped hydro plant is way over budget and time. Current transmission projects like EnergyConnect, which will link NSW and South Australia, have seen budgets double. </p>
<p>We’ve done the easy part – solar on rooftops, wind and solar farms in places with good existing grid connections. That got Victoria’s renewables over 20%. Now comes the hard part – transmission, and storage. </p>
<p>Victoria has <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/sep/27/victoria-pledges-nations-most-ambitious-renewable-energy-storage-targets">already announced</a> a renewable storage target equal to half the state’s household use. But it will get harder and more expensive the closer we get to the 95% figure.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-electricity-transmission-system-and-why-does-it-need-fixing-147903">What is the electricity transmission system, and why does it need fixing?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Transmission lines" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/363597/original/file-20201015-23-16l0n70.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Energy Security Board has called for transmission infrastructure upgrades.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What does this mean for energy markets?</h2>
<p>Some old-timers will shed a tear of joy at the news the SEC is coming back. But why the reversal, after the state government privatised the electricity market in the 1990s? </p>
<p>The reason is the market is not delivering the clean energy transition. For years, we’ve pretended the market can make the shift by itself, but it hasn’t. Continuous government intervention and policy changes certainly didn’t help. Working through the government-appointed Energy Security Board to reform the market didn’t work either. </p>
<p>We’ve needed these new transmission links for years and the existing regulatory model hasn’t delivered. </p>
<p>The announcement today represents a fundamental change. The energy market is set to change completely. Yes, there are risks in having the state government do it. But governments like Victoria’s have been emboldened by the pandemic, which saw all of us look to them – not the market – to steer us through. </p>
<p>What happens to the workers on coal plants? Victoria is quite well placed already. The closure of the highly polluting Hazelwood plant in 2017 caught the state government by surprise. In response, it created the LaTrobe Valley Authority to help people transition to other work. </p>
<p>Five years later, the authority is still there. That’s good – it’s well placed to help ex-coal workers find jobs in other industries such as wind turbine manufacture or construction. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-end-of-coal-fired-power-is-in-sight-even-with-private-interests-holding-out-191951">The end of coal-fired power is in sight, even with private interests holding out</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>It may surprise you, but we’re a role model</h2>
<p>When I’m asked which countries Australia should look to on the energy transition, I can’t help but laugh. In reality, we’re at the forefront. Many other countries are looking at us for ideas. Last year, South Australia <a href="https://www.climatechangenews.com/2022/09/16/south-australia-set-to-become-first-big-grid-to-run-on-100-renewables/">made history</a> by becoming the first gigawatt scale grid to (briefly) run on 100% renewables. </p>
<p>While we’ve historically been highly dependent on fossil fuels, we have also had a competitive advantage in shifting. After all, we have rather a lot of sun, wind and land. </p>
<p>So, the verdict on Victoria’s upgraded ambition? 10/10 for vision. But there’s a lot of heavy lifting involved in making it a reality. And the issues we often think of – where to build renewables – are no longer the issue. Now we need old-fashioned transmission towers and high voltage powerlines – and fast. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/the-national-electricity-market-is-a-failed-1990s-experiment-its-time-the-grid-returned-to-public-hands-185418">The national electricity market is a failed 1990s experiment. It's time the grid returned to public hands</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/192941/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Through his superannuation fund, Tony Wood owns shares in companies that could have an interest in the topic of this article.</span></em></p>Victoria’s new renewable plan is welcome - but it relies on building unsexy and challenging new transmission lines across the state.Tony Wood, Program Director, Energy, Grattan InstituteLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1747822022-02-02T19:09:45Z2022-02-02T19:09:45ZJapan wants to burn ammonia for clean energy – but it may be a pyrrhic victory for the climate<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443089/original/file-20220128-22-1qn4mc7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C5%2C3866%2C2579&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">名古屋太郎</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Coal is at the centre of Australia and Japan’s long partnership in energy trade. But as Japan seeks to slash its emissions in coming decades, this relationship will change. </p>
<p>Japan is aiming to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. One way Japan plans to achieve this is to <a href="https://www.ammoniaenergy.org/articles/japans-road-map-for-fuel-ammonia/">combust ammonia alongside coal in its coal-fired power plants</a>. </p>
<p>Ammonia is made by combining hydrogen and nitrogen. When ammonia is burned for energy, the process does not produce carbon dioxide (CO₂), and so offers potential for Japan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. </p>
<p>Australia is well placed to become a key global supplier of ammonia. But the climate gains from Japan’s shift will depend on how the ammonia is produced in Australia.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="coal and machinery at terminal" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=367&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=367&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=367&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=461&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=461&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443090/original/file-20220128-6942-2qxitq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=461&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Japan’s demand for Australian thermal coal may change as it embraces ammonia as a fuel.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Darren Pateman/AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>A new way for coal plants?</h2>
<p>The value of Australia’s thermal coal exports to Japan reached about <a href="https://publications.industry.gov.au/publications/resourcesandenergyquarterlydecember2021/documents/Resources-and-Energy-Quarterly-December-2021.pdf">A$7 billion</a> in 2020 – 40% of the total value of our thermal coal exports that year.</p>
<p>Japan is aiming to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. To meet this goal, it has pledged to reduce emissions by 46% by 2030 compared to 2013. </p>
<p>The energy sector makes up by far the <a href="https://unfccc.int/documents/271503">largest share</a> of Japan’s emissions. In the 2020 financial year, thermal coal provided about <a href="https://www.renewable-ei.org/en/statistics/energy/?cat=electricity">31% of Japan’s electricity</a>.</p>
<p>To reduce energy emissions, Japan is seeking to <a href="https://theconversation.com/japan-is-closing-its-old-dirty-power-plants-and-thats-bad-news-for-australias-coal-exports-144452">phase out inefficient coal plants</a>. In addition, it’s moving to burn ammonia alongside coal in remaining plants. </p>
<p>Large pilot trials in Japan have demonstrated the feasibility of a coal combustion mix with 20% ammonia. Japan’s biggest power plant operator, JERA, <a href="https://www.jera.co.jp/english/information/20220107_822">is now investing</a> in a project to demonstrate the feasibility of a 50% ammonia mix. The Japanese government is <a href="https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/japans-jera-develop-ammonia-related-tech-with-green-fund-backing-2022-01-07/">helping fund</a> the project.</p>
<h2>It matters how ammonia is made</h2>
<p>Whether using ammonia helps tackle climate change depends on how it’s made.</p>
<p>Currently, ammonia is produced on an industrial scale by combining hydrogen and nitrogen using the so-called “<a href="https://www.britannica.com/technology/Haber-Bosch-process">Haber Bosch</a>” process. Today, the hydrogen used in this process is typically produced from gas using a method that releases <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/ammonia-technology-roadmap">a lot</a> of CO₂. </p>
<p>Hydrogen can also be produced with electrolysis <a href="https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2021/12/what-is-green-hydrogen-expert-explains-benefits/">powered by renewable electricity</a> – creating what’s known as “green” hydrogen. This process is currently more expensive than the gas method. </p>
<p>If renewable energy is used to power the processes that extract nitrogen from the air and combine it with hydrogen, then ammonia made with green hydrogen can be produced with near-zero emissions intensity. </p>
<p>Australia’s abundant energy resources, and existing trade relationships, mean it could become a major supplier of ammonia to countries decarbonising their energy sources. </p>
<p>In Australia, ammonia is predominantly made from fossil fuels. This <a href="https://ageis.climatechange.gov.au/Chart.aspx?OD_ID=114088004404&TypeID=3">resulted in</a> 2 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions in 2019. </p>
<p>However, there are projects underway to inject green hydrogen into <a href="https://www.incitecpivot.com.au/about-us/about-incitec-pivot-limited/media/international-partnership-to-investigate-green-ammonia-supply-from-australias-hydrogen-hubs">existing facilities</a>, and <a href="https://asianrehub.com/">others</a> seeking to produce green ammonia at scale. </p>
<p>Projects to make ammonia <a href="https://asia.nikkei.com/Spotlight/Environment/Climate-Change/Mitsui-to-build-900m-blue-ammonia-plant-in-Australia">from gas</a>, where carbon emissions are captured and stored, are also being developed. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/asias-energy-pivot-is-a-warning-to-australia-clinging-to-coal-is-bad-for-the-economy-169541">Asia's energy pivot is a warning to Australia: clinging to coal is bad for the economy</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=406&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=511&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=511&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443093/original/file-20220128-6942-yk1dok.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=511&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Fortescue Future Industries, headed by Andrew Forrest (centre), is investigating the feasibility of green ammonia production Queensland.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Darren England/AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Will Japan’s plan help the climate?</h2>
<p>By burning ammonia in its coal plants, Japan will reduce its national emissions. We <a href="https://authors.elsevier.com/c/1eOUp_LqUdMyR2">calculate</a> that replacing 20% of the coal burned in Japan’s expected 2030 coal fleet with ammonia would avoid emitting 40 million tonnes of CO₂ a year.</p>
<p>But what if Japan burns ammonia made in Australia from fossil-fuel based hydrogen? In that case, the emissions savings made in Japan will be wiped out by the emissions released in Australia when the ammonia was produced. Emissions would simply be transferred between nations, at no gain to the planet. </p>
<p>Some emissions produced in Australia could be avoided using carbon capture and storage (CCS). However, the feasibility of this technology is in real doubt. And <a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-at-a-crossroads-in-the-global-hydrogen-race-and-one-path-looks-risky-157864">significant CO₂</a> would still be released to the atmosphere in Australia due to fugitive emissions – those that escape during the production process – and because CCS doesn’t capture all CO₂.</p>
<p>So clearly, only ammonia production powered by renewable energy will reduce CO₂ emissions in both Japan and Australia. </p>
<p>It’s worth noting that under the scenario outlined above, the reduction in our thermal coal exports to Japan would lead to a fall in fugitive emissions from coal mining in Australia. </p>
<p>We estimate a reduction in fugitive emissions of between 1 and 10 million tonnes each year by 2030, assuming a one-to-one reduction in coal exports to Japan. This fall would offset emissions created by installing the renewable energy needed to power clean ammonia production in Australia.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/japan-is-closing-its-old-dirty-power-plants-and-thats-bad-news-for-australias-coal-exports-144452">Japan is closing its old, dirty power plants – and that's bad news for Australia's coal exports</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="wind farm on hill crest" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/443095/original/file-20220128-6524-16dgqvg.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Only ammonia production powered by renewable energy will reduce CO₂ emissions in both Japan and Australia.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>What to do</h2>
<p>Under the current global system of national emissions reporting, there is no incentive for Japan to buy more expensive, zero-emissions ammonia from Australia or elsewhere.</p>
<p>So if the international trade in ammonia grows, national governments must introduce policies to reduce emissions along the ammonia supply chain.</p>
<p>In Australia, that could mean a tougher national emissions target – and a detailed roadmap laying out how to get there – to make it harder for businesses to invest in new polluting ammonia production. </p>
<p>But this won’t stop Japan’s power plant operators from buying emissions-intensive ammonia from other countries if it’s cheaper. So clearly, some form of international cooperation is required.</p>
<p>This could come in the form of certification, similar to that currently being <a href="https://consult.industry.gov.au/hydrogen-guarantee-of-origin-scheme">developed</a> for hydrogen. In the case of ammonia, certification would <a href="https://www.ammoniaenergy.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/AEA-Low-Carbon-Ammonia-Certification-Discussion-Paper.pdf">tell consumers</a> how much greenhouse gas was emitted during the production phase.</p>
<p>And incentives must also be in place to ensure buyers choose low-emissions ammonia. This may involve transferring emission reductions from one country’s greenhouse gas ledger to another – a <a href="https://unfccc.int/process-and-meetings/the-paris-agreement/the-glasgow-climate-pact/cop26-outcomes-market-mechanisms-and-non-market-approaches-article-6">mechanism discussed</a> at the recent COP26 climate conference in Glasgow.</p>
<p>Japan may succeed in using ammonia to cut the environmental burden of its coal power fleet. But unless that ammonia is produced with little or no emissions, the victory will be pyrrhic. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-is-at-a-crossroads-in-the-global-hydrogen-race-and-one-path-looks-risky-157864">Australia is at a crossroads in the global hydrogen race – and one path looks risky</a>
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</em>
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<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/174782/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>In addition to his academic work, Llewelyn Hughes provides advice to a number of companies operating in the renewable energy sector in Japan.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Fiona J Beck has received funding from the Australian Research Council and the Australian Renewable Energy Agency to develop renewable energy technologies. </span></em></p>Any climate gains from Japan’s shift will be wiped out entirely unless Australia moves to zero-emissions ammonia production.Llewelyn Hughes, Associate Professor of Public Policy, Crawford School of Public Policy, Australian National UniversityFiona J Beck, Senior research fellow, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1703742021-11-08T14:41:05Z2021-11-08T14:41:05ZHow can Australia get cracking on emissions? The know-how we need is in our universities<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429213/original/file-20211028-18-1j861vg.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C6%2C4240%2C2818&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/our-research/robotics-and-intelligent-systems/australian-centre-for-field-robotics.html">Australian Centre for Field Robotics/University of Sydney </a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Australia has been <a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-wars-carbon-taxes-and-toppled-leaders-the-30-year-history-of-australias-climate-response-in-brief-169545">slow to join</a> the global shift towards decarbonisation and lower emissions. Now, ready or not, the world is on the verge of a climate action crescendo. Australia can choose what to do next: act meaningfully and with determination; dither and have its hand forced; or, at worst, face punishing measures such as <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-03-11/australia-to-face-huge-tariffs-in-europe-over-climate-emissions/13233360">tariffs</a>.</p>
<p>Despite our lumbering start, we are in a fortunate position. We do not need to start from scratch to green our economy and participate wholly in the decarbonisation revolution. While Australia debates “where to from here” as world leaders come together for <a href="https://ukcop26.org/uk-presidency/what-is-a-cop/">COP26</a> in Glasgow, university researchers have long been heads down developing the very research, talent and technology we’ll need for this transformation.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/scott-morrison-is-hiding-behind-future-technologies-when-we-should-just-deploy-what-already-exists-169016">Scott Morrison is hiding behind future technologies, when we should just deploy what already exists</a>
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<p>With the right mix of industry and government support, these university-developed resources will allow us to pivot to a decarbonised economy. Australia can emerge as a green export and research and development leader.</p>
<p>Across engineering and science, we’re witnessing a research and technology explosion. The once unimaginable is being made possible. We are seeing advances in many fields, including:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>renewable and low-emission technologies</p></li>
<li><p>energy generation, utilisation and storage</p></li>
<li><p>electrification and network hybridisation</p></li>
<li><p>power fuels, including hydrogen.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>With our abundant natural and mineral resources and agricultural industry, these are all areas in which Australia can and should lead to become a research and development exporter. Aside from helping to transition our economy and lower emissions, this would attract further overseas talent and investment.</p>
<p>Australia has an untapped opportunity to switch from being an exporter of carbon fuels to an exporter of green fuels. We can do this by converting solar and wind energy to stored energy like hydrogen. For domestic consumption, there is a wider range of energy-storage options including batteries and Snowy 2.0. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="Infographic showing renewables-powered production of hydrogen as an export fuel" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=453&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429005/original/file-20211028-25-bt1ehq.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=569&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
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<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://arena.gov.au/knowledge-bank/hydrogen-our-next-great-export/">ARENA</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australias-clean-hydrogen-revolution-is-a-path-to-prosperity-but-it-must-be-powered-by-renewable-energy-169832">Australia's clean hydrogen revolution is a path to prosperity – but it must be powered by renewable energy</a>
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<p>Federal support for developing a green fuel export industry is growing slowly. However, industry and financial consortia have been investing rapidly in green technologies and plants.</p>
<h2>Scale of challenge demands collaboration</h2>
<p>Tackling climate change requires a collective approach. That’s because it affects every sector and part of society. </p>
<p>Universities were once considered somewhat siloed. Now they are working more closely with other institutions. Formerly disparate areas of expertise are being connected to develop research and technology to tackle and adapt to climate change.</p>
<p>Examples of collaboration range from historians and engineers working together to better understand how climate change led to the demise of <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-huge-floods-and-complex-infrastructure-could-have-triggered-ancient-angkors-demise-105126">Angkor</a> through to using <a href="https://darecentre.org.au">data analytics</a> to better understand the impacts of the resource sector on the environment. Increased collaboration between disciplines and institutes makes universities an attractive resource and “one-stop shop” for companies looking to decarbonise or expand their offerings to compete in the green economy.</p>
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<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-universities-and-professions-are-preparing-to-meet-the-climate-challenge-151662">How universities and professions are preparing to meet the climate challenge</a>
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<p>Campuses too are being transformed into high-impact, industrial research hubs. They are gearing up for greater industry collaboration, testing and rapid prototyping. </p>
<p>These campus facilities include state-of-the-art infrastructure, ranging from nano technology and foundries to advanced manufacturing and microanalysis. They are helping to develop scalable and translatable research for both large existing companies and start-ups.</p>
<h2>Research is already paying off</h2>
<p>Universities are also increasingly commercialising their research and technology. In the process, they are developing companies with the potential to rewrite Australia’s climate change fate.</p>
<p>One such company is agri-robotics start-up <a href="https://agerris.com/our-story/">Agerris</a>. It’s commercialising technology developed over the past 15 years from the University of Sydney’s <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/our-research/robotics-and-intelligent-systems/australian-centre-for-field-robotics.html">Australian Centre for Field Robotics</a>, a source of <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/engineering/our-research/robotics-and-intelligent-systems/australian-centre-for-field-robotics.html#start-ups">several successful start-ups</a>. Agerris’s robotics solutions to optimise farming have the potential to control emissions in agriculture and related areas including forestation and oceanography. </p>
<p>Another example is zinc-bromide battery developer <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/09/10/university-spin-out-gelion-zinc-bromide-batteries-battery-energy-sydney-renewables.html">Gelion</a>. This spin-off from the University of Sydney <a href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/nano/">Nano Institute</a> is disrupting the solar energy industry with its safe, cost-effective products.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Researchers at work in Gelion's laboratory where a zinc-bromine battery is being developed." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/429008/original/file-20211028-13-1k2gjtb.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Gelion’s zinc-bromine battery is an example of how R&D can pave the way for manufacturing jobs to be created in the transition to a low-emissions economy.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.sydney.edu.au/news-opinion/news/2021/09/10/university-spin-out-gelion-zinc-bromide-batteries-battery-energy-sydney-renewables.html">Gelion/University of Sydney</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Snowy Mountains Hydro, while one of the most ambitious feats of engineering ever achieved, should not remain our nation’s industrial magnum opus. It’s vital Australia embarks on an ambitious plan to lower emissions and decarbonise our economy. If we want the next big thing, we can bet universities are already developing the thinking and technology behind it.</p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/climate-change-is-the-most-important-mission-for-universities-of-the-21st-century-139214">Climate change is the most important mission for universities of the 21st century</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>All academics know that often the best students are the ones who work diligently and consistently over a long period. Others may wait until the last minute, with some bright, creative minds somehow always pulling through with distinction.</p>
<p>We are now at the 11th hour. Let’s hope Australia is that precocious student who can pull it all off in the nick of time.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/170374/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Universities have long been developing research, talent and technology that, with the right mix of industry and government support, will allow Australia to emerge as a green export and R&D leader.Kim Rasmussen, Deputy Dean and Associate Dean, Research, Faculty of Engineering, University of SydneyBen Thornber, Associate Dean, Research Management, University of SydneyLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1710252021-11-04T16:14:58Z2021-11-04T16:14:58ZCOP26: here’s what it would take to end coal power worldwide<p>More than 40 countries have signed an agreement at COP26, the latest UN climate change summit in Glasgow, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/nov/03/more-than-40-countries-agree-to-phase-out-coal-fired-power">to phase out coal</a> in electricity generation. The signatories include some of the world’s biggest coal burners: Canada, Poland, Vietnam, South Korea, Ukraine and Indonesia. The larger of these economies pledge to cease using coal in their power sectors in the 2030s, while the smaller ones promise the same during the following decade.</p>
<p>Aside from generating electricity, coal is used to fuel iron and steel furnaces and cement kilns, and to a lesser extent, household heating systems. The mining and burning of coal still contribute <a href="https://essd.copernicus.org/articles/11/1783/2019/">over 30%</a> of global greenhouse gas emissions, so rapidly phasing it out and replacing it with clean alternatives is a priority for international action on climate change.</p>
<p>Coal supplied <a href="https://theconversation.com/britains-electricity-since-2010-wind-surges-to-second-place-coal-collapses-and-fossil-fuel-use-nearly-halves-129346">41% of the UK’s electricity</a> in 2012, but just <a href="https://www.nationalgrid.com/stories/journey-to-net-zero-stories/2020-greenest-year-record-britain">1.6% in 2020</a>. Much of the shortfall left by coal has been met by natural gas – another fossil fuel.</p>
<p>Swapping old coal plants for new gas power stations designed to operate well into the 2050s <a href="https://carbontracker.org/reports/put-gas-on-standby/">isn’t a solution</a> to the problem, even if gas is a less carbon-intensive fuel than coal. There is no sensible alternative to replacing coal with renewable sources like solar and wind – with battery storage to fill gaps in supply – as quickly as possible. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A coal-fired power station belching steam and smoke." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=394&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=394&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=394&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=495&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=495&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430253/original/file-20211104-25-1dbws4a.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=495&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Coal is still a major source of electricity in many countries.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/open-pit-mine-power-plant-hdr-288123713">Fotorince/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Despite progress on renewables, coal-fired power generation is rising again in the wake of the pandemic, both in <a href="https://energypost.eu/germany-2021-coal-generation-is-rising-but-the-switch-to-gas-should-continue/">Germany</a> and the <a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2021/10/18/business/coal-power-climate-crisis/index.html">US</a>. Meanwhile, China’s government has mandated an <a href="https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-coal-prices-dive-11-beijing-plans-intervene-ease-power-crunch-2021-10-22/">expansion in coal production</a> to address its power supply crisis.</p>
<p>Most of the largest coal consumers – Australia, China, the US, India and South Africa – have not joined the Glasgow coal phase-out agreement. China’s recent ban on new financing for overseas coal power is <a href="https://globalenergymonitor.org/press-release/1953/">expected to axe 44 plants</a> worldwide, but China’s domestic coal power stations continue to multiply. For the first time in 2020, China became host to over half of the world’s coal power capacity. It still has 100 gigawatts (GW) of coal power under construction, and another 160GW <a href="https://globalenergymonitor.org/press-release/1953">in the planning stages</a>.</p>
<p>Why is coal such a stubborn relic of energy systems around the world – even where cleaner alternatives like solar power are cheaper? And what can be done about it?</p>
<h2>Breaking the political might of coal</h2>
<p>Coal is <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ac1b58#fnref-erlac1b58bib63">still seen</a> as a cheap, abundant and reliable source of electricity. In many of the countries in which it looms largest, such as China, India, South Africa and Indonesia, state-owned companies tend to dominate the power and mining sectors. These powerful interests deep within government offer some of the staunchest opposition to phasing out coal.</p>
<p>It’s often assumed that rapidly eliminating coal mining and burning will inevitably mean impoverishing particular countries and regions where the coal industry is a major employer, not to mention lost tax revenues used to fund a range of public services. Given that most coal plants in the developing world are relatively new, retiring them early also risks heavy financial losses for their owners. </p>
<p>The idea of a just transition (though subject to debate) in the coal power sector would involve supporting miners and other workers to retrain and use their expertise to contribute to new or established low-carbon sectors, including renewable energy. Industrial strategies that follow this path could avoid some of the worst deprivation which has <a href="https://theconversation.com/ending-coal-use-blighted-scottish-communities-a-just-transition-to-a-green-economy-must-support-workers-170003">blighted coal communities</a> in former heartlands in the UK.</p>
<p>There are no insurmountable technical barriers to replacing coal in power generation either. It’s already underway in countries like the US, where a power utility recently <a href="http://technologymagazine.org/xcel-energy-replace-coal-solar-power/">struck a deal</a> with its largest retail customer to retire some of its coal plants early and replace them with solar power. </p>
<p>Replacing coal in steelmaking and cement plants is more difficult, but also possible. Steel furnaces can be powered by electricity, and green hydrogen fuel is already being trialled by multinational cement firms in Europe and steel producers in <a href="https://www.globalcement.com/magazine/articles/1189-the-multiple-benefits-of-green-hydrogen-for-the-decarbonisation-of-cement-production">Germany</a> and <a href="https://newatlas.com/energy/h2gs-green-hydrogen-steel/">Sweden</a>. While green hydrogen remains significantly more expensive than coal or gas, further investment in the technology needed to produce it – plus the continued decline in the cost of green electricity supplying it – may make it as cheap as fossil fuels sooner than expected.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A vat of molten metal pouring onto a surface in a steelworks." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6000%2C3997&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/430252/original/file-20211104-21-124wf6u.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The alternatives to coal in steelmaking are less advanced than in power generation.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/steelworker-work-pouring-metal-workshop-1735685552">Joli L/Shutterstock</a></span>
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</figure>
<p>For large economies which are heavily dependent on coal power, particularly China, the most serious barriers to eliminating this fossil fuel are political. Countries with experience in phasing out coal, such as the UK, must work closely with China, Indonesia, India and others to find pathways for replacing coal power with renewables that are economically and technologically viable. Designing social policies that lighten the burden on communities dependent on coal for livelihoods can help overcome resistance to change. </p>
<p>Coal-dependent states must also allocate hefty sums of additional investment to not just expand clean energy generation, which will eventually pay for itself through lower energy bills and public health benefits, but also to limit the financial damage from retiring existing coal mines and plants. The Asian Development Bank’s <a href="https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/adb-sets-plan-retire-coal-fired-power-plants-philippines-indonesia-2021-11-03/">new US$2.5 billion fund</a>, which is intended to buy up and close coal plants in Indonesia and the Philippines, presents one way of doing this. But using public money to bail out private companies which have continued to plough money into coal despite the risks is arguably unjust and may prove politically infeasible if attempted on a large scale. </p>
<p>There is still a bright future beyond coal, but countries should be prepared to forego short-term and short-sighted gains in order to get there.</p>
<hr>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="COP26: the world's biggest climate talks" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=600&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/424739/original/file-20211005-17-cgrf2z.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=754&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<p><strong>This story is part of The Conversation’s coverage on COP26, the Glasgow climate conference, by experts from around the world.</strong>
<br><em>Amid a rising tide of climate news and stories, The Conversation is here to clear the air and make sure you get information you can trust. <a href="https://page.theconversation.com/cop26-glasgow-2021-climate-change-summit/"><strong>More.</strong></a></em> </p>
<hr><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/171025/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Alex Clark receives funding from the UK Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS). He is currently a fellow at the Global China Initiative, Boston University, and the European Council on Foreign Relations.</span></em></p>Coal is the dirtiest fuel source – eliminating it is a priority for tackling climate change.Alex Clark, DPhil Candidate in Energy and Economics, University of OxfordLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1659982021-09-08T02:45:32Z2021-09-08T02:45:32ZWant to act on climate change but not sure how? Tweaking these 3 parts of your life will make the biggest difference<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419717/original/file-20210907-13-bxqsnt.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=2986%2C112%2C4300%2C2357&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Last month’s <a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/factsheets/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Regional_Fact_Sheet_Australasia.pdf">dire report</a> by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have left you feeling overwhelmed, or unsure what to do next. We often hear about ways everyday people can tackle climate change, but which acts will make the biggest difference?</p>
<p>The academic literature <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629618310314#bib0005">tells us</a> three spheres of our lives contribute most to climate change: home energy use, transport, and food consumption. Together, these activities comprise about 85% of a household’s carbon footprint. </p>
<p>As <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/14693062.2018.1551186">one study</a> showed, by adopting readily available practices, households in developed countries can cut their carbon footprint by 25% with little or no reduction in well-being. </p>
<p>Clearly, national governments must set, and meet, ambitious emissions-reduction targets. But <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214629618310314#bib0005">72% of global greenhouse gas emissions</a> are related to household consumption. So small changes at the household level really can make a world of difference. Here’s a guide to get you on the right path. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="climate protest signs" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=345&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419720/original/file-20210907-21-1j4497s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=434&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Many people want to act on climate change at a household level, but where’s the best place to start?</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>1. Home</h2>
<p>Using energy in the home more efficiently is a good way to reduce your impact on the climate. Signing up to so-called “demand response” programs is a relatively new way to do this.</p>
<p>Demand response involves making changes to energy use to reduce stress on the electricity grid during times of high demand. In Australia, this often entails electricity companies offering financial incentives to households so they use less energy at peak times.</p>
<p>For example in Queensland, the state-owned company Energex <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/rebates/energy-efficient-air-conditioning-incentive-energex">offers up to A$400</a> to those who install a “PeakSmart” air conditioner. When the electricity system is under stress, the electricity network will remotely switch the air-conditioner into a lower performance mode.</p>
<p>Energy retailers have also been <a href="https://arena.gov.au/assets/2020/09/demand-response-rert-trial-year-2-report.pdf">trialling</a> demand response programs in other states. For example under AGL’s Peak Energy Rewards program, customers can choose to receive an SMS message prompting them to reduce their energy use at peak times. By turning up the temperature on the air conditioning or waiting to do the laundry, people can earn discounts on their energy bills.</p>
<p>Demand response leads to less electricity use and reduces the need for fossil-fuel electricity generation at times of high demand – and so, can cut greenhouse gas emissions in the electricity sector.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="hand holds remote control at air conditioner" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419722/original/file-20210907-27-gv4lcw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Demand response programs encourage people to reduce energy use during peak times.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>2. Transport</h2>
<p>If you drive a traditional petrol or diesel vehicle, try to reduce the amount of time your engine <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-cut-your-fuel-bill-clear-the-air-and-reduce-emissions-stop-engine-idling-135316">idles</a>. Research last year found Australian motorists are likely to idle more than 20% of the time they’re driving. If idling was eliminated from all journeys, the emissions saved would equal that of removing up to 1.6 million cars from the road. </p>
<p>While some idling is unavoidable such as when stopped at traffic lights, drivers can turn their engines off while parked and waiting in their vehicle. </p>
<p>And drive smoothly, not aggressively. Driving with limited acceleration and braking has been <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2046043020300344">found to</a> significantly reduce emissions. </p>
<p>You might be thinking of making your next car an electric vehicle. While the cost of electric vehicles has traditionally been prohibitive for many people, the technology is <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australia-on-verge-of-electric-cars-boom-amid-sharp-jump-in-sales-figures-20210820-p58kn5.html">expected to reach</a> price parity with conventional cars in Australia in the next few years. And these days, you can even get a good <a href="https://theconversation.com/want-an-electric-car-heres-how-to-buy-second-hand-147173">second-hand deal</a>. </p>
<p>There’s a lot of misinformation out there about whether electric cars are a good choice for the planet. So where does the truth lie?</p>
<p>It’s true that electricity used to charge an electric vehicle’s battery is often sourced from fossil fuels. And energy is still required to make an electric vehicle - in particular, the battery.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/want-an-electric-car-heres-how-to-buy-second-hand-147173">Want an electric car? Here's how to buy second-hand</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>However, last year, <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41893-020-0488-7.epdf?sharing_token=B3cNWIkOU7DGhXpId1HR3tRgN0jAjWel9jnR3ZoTv0OMBHrNGD6k2npei17x4aWWLctOfIoyfalbH9WNy5EPZJy9w30IYeodKn1h_MDWDHWbybIChxCHaCC36tfAgKjNUx4fFfgEmw6et2c5WNHBxg2qC_kNDvarcvL2Q7l3cXo1piQGELjzu3Sy_DKIdy1JLDISG1fi_oXVbLR9bqPUUg%3D%3D&tracking_referrer=www.cnbc.com">research found</a> in 95% of the world, electric vehicles were less emissions-intensive than traditional cars over their full life cycle – even accounting for the current emissions intensity of electricity generation.</p>
<p>If you buy an electric vehicle, it’s important to ensure potential emissions savings are realised. One way of doing this is by recharging during the middle of the day when renewable electricty <a href="http://www.uq.edu.au/economics/abstract/640.pdf">is most abundant</a>. And don’t forget, as renewable energy forms an ever-increasing share of the electricity mix, the climate benefits of electric vehicles become even greater. </p>
<p>And of course, don’t forget about the obvious low- or zero-emission ways to get around: walking, cycling, catching public transport and car pooling. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="family unloads boot of electric car" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419724/original/file-20210907-27-f12eqs.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Second-hand electric cars are a lower-cost option.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Good Car Co</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>3. Food</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s43016-021-00225-9">Research</a> earlier this year showed food systems are responsible for a third of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions. And <a href="https://www.science.org/doi/abs/10.1126/science.aba7357">recent studies show</a> even if the world stopped burning fossil fuels immediately, emissions from the global food system could still push global temperatures over the 1.5°C warming threshold. </p>
<p>Reducing meat consumption is a well-known way <a href="https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1748-9326/ab8589/pdf">to cut your</a> carbon footprint. In fact, <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/jiec.13176">recent research</a> from Sweden showed just how high emissions from meat and dairy products are, compared with substitute products. It found:</p>
<ul>
<li>lamb is 25 times more polluting than tofu</li>
<li>milk is five times as polluting as oat drink</li>
<li>dairy-based cheese is four times as polluting as vegan cheese.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/ordinary-people-extraordinary-change-addressing-the-climate-emergency-through-quiet-activism-160548">Ordinary people, extraordinary change: addressing the climate emergency through 'quiet activism'</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>In Australia, the range of meat alternatives is growing quickly. In just one example, Sydney-based All G Foods is developing plant-based mince, sausages, chicken and bacon, as well as “cow-free” dairy products. Helped along <a href="https://www.cefc.com.au/media/media-release/australian-made-low-carbon-and-delicious-the-all-g-foods-recipe-for-alternative-proteins/?utm_source=miragenews&utm_medium=miragenews&utm_campaign=news">by $5 million</a> in federal government funding, the company’s first product launches this month.</p>
<p>Another food that promises to help cut your carbon footprint is seaweed. Australia is only just <a href="https://www.agrifutures.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/20-072.pdf">catching on</a> to the benefits of commercial seaweed production, which can be grown with few environmental costs.</p>
<p>Australia’s first factory manufacturing food-grade seaweed products <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-05-29/seaweed-factory-opens-on-nsw-south-coast/12295094">opened</a> in New South Wales last year. It has the capacity to put seaweed into pastas, and even muesli!</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="seaweed in ocean" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/419726/original/file-20210907-27-1cgaro3.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Commercial production of seaweed, a sustainable food source, is ramping up.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Reduce, reuse, inspire</h2>
<p>Reducing your climate footprint is not just about buying “green” stuff: it’s also about avoiding consumption in the first place. So try to buy less – and if you can’t avoid it, try and buy second-hand.</p>
<p>You never know, you might start a revolution. <a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921800917301544?casa_token=xNbqAh4-xTwAAAAA:Cn7PqJl2IyA7HeGmORZPDV5GrjCvjGlt73JB-aoBVSjOUq8C-VGE4GUXwnZg-_JopU3TfaNLcg">Evidence suggests</a> people who observe their peers undertaking environmentally friendly behaviour often adopt similar actions.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/do-gooders-conservatives-and-reluctant-recyclers-how-personal-morals-can-be-harnessed-for-climate-action-164599">'Do-gooders', conservatives and reluctant recyclers: how personal morals can be harnessed for climate action</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/165998/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Andreas Chai works for Griffith University. His research has been previously funded by NCCARF, UNIDO, Queensland Government, APEC and the French Ministry of Education. Andreas Chai is a member of the Economics Society of Australia.</span></em></p>Last month’s dire report by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change may have left you feeling overwhelmed. But small changes at the household level really can make a world of difference.Andreas Chai, Associate Professor, Griffith UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1580772021-04-01T13:42:40Z2021-04-01T13:42:40ZNFTs: why digital art has such a massive carbon footprint<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/393071/original/file-20210401-13-1lf7qzh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C95%2C4000%2C3275&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-vector/colorful-simple-flat-pixel-art-illustration-1941101041">George Chairborn/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>How much would you be willing to pay for a one-of-a-kind work of art? For some collectors, the limit lies somewhere in the region of hundreds of millions of dollars. What about a work of art that has no tangible form, and exists only as a digital token that’s no more “real” than a JPEG file? Welcome to the strange world of crypto art collectibles, also known as NFTs.</p>
<p>Like Bitcoin, NFTs (non-fungible tokens) are cryptocurrencies. But whereas individual bitcoins all have the same value, NFTs are more like baseball cards. Each token has a different value and they can’t be used to buy things. They exist on your computer as digital representations of artworks, songs, films and games, among other things.</p>
<p>NFTs have been around since 2017, when the first mainstream experiment in crypto-collectibles emerged: <a href="https://www.cryptokitties.co/">CryptoKitties</a>. The average price for one of these cat cards was about US$60 back then. But that’s chicken feed compared to current takings. Rights to a single digital image recently <a href="https://www.christies.com/features/Monumental-collage-by-Beeple-is-first-purely-digital-artwork-NFT-to-come-to-auction-11510-7.aspx?sc_lang=en">sold at auction for US$69.3 million</a> (£50.2 million). <a href="https://www.larvalabs.com/cryptopunks/details/7804">CryptoPunk 7804</a> (a crudely drawn alien with a pipe) sold for US$7.5 million. A house on Mars was purchased for US$500,000. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2021/mar/23/digital-home-sells-for-500000-in-latest-nft-sale">A digital house</a> that is, not one that you might live in. Twitter CEO, Jack Dorsey, recently <a href="https://www.theverge.com/2021/3/22/22344937/jack-dorsey-nft-sold-first-tweet-ethereum-cryptocurrency-twitter">sold his first ever tweet</a> as an NFT for just under US$3 million.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="A phone is held up before a larger screen depicting the same NFT marketplace." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C6000%2C3997&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/393069/original/file-20210401-13-1sdgxiq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">NFTs are unique, collectable digital tokens.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/vilnius-lithuania-march-8-2021-nonfungible-1932205373">Rokas Tenys/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>“But how can someone buy a tweet?”, you may ask. After all, anyone’s free to click on, look at, print out and frame <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/20">the tweet</a> as many times as they like. </p>
<p>When you buy an NFT, you’re buying a unique certificate of ownership, which is locked away on an immutable distributed database known as a blockchain. The creator of the artwork generally retains the copyright and in most cases, you own little more than bragging rights. Creators are also likely to pass the <a href="https://etherscan.io/gastracker">costs for creating your NFT files</a> (or “minting” them) on to you (around US$100 as I write this). </p>
<p>Most of the time, what you’ll also be responsible for is an enormous carbon footprint.</p>
<h2>Counting the carbon cost of NFTs</h2>
<p>Because they depend on a blockchain, NFTs use a lot of energy. Most creators still use <a href="https://ethereum.org/en/nft/#ethereum-and-nfts">Ethereum</a>, a blockchain secured using a <a href="https://theconversation.com/bitcoin-isnt-getting-greener-four-environmental-myths-about-cryptocurrency-debunked-155329">similar proof-of-work system</a> to Bitcoin. This involves an energy-intensive computer function called mining. Specialist mining computers take turns guessing the combination to a digital lock (a long string of random digits). The computer that correctly guesses the combination wins a reward paid in a cryptocurrency called Ether. The digital lock resets roughly every 15 seconds, and the competition continues. Ethereum uses about <a href="https://digiconomist.net/ethereum-energy-consumption">31 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity</a> a year, about as much as the whole of Nigeria.</p>
<p>It’s very difficult to calculate exactly how much responsibility the NFT industry should take for Ethereum’s carbon emissions. Ethereum was going to run with or without NFTs. But with the growing demand for digital art, NFT buyers and sellers are becoming liable for an increasing share of Ethereum’s total energy use, and some artists are starting to think twice.</p>
<p>The French digital artist, Joanie Lemercier, recently cancelled the sale of six works after calculating the associated energy costs. The sale would use, in just ten seconds, enough electricity to power <a href="https://joanielemercier.com/the-problem-of-cryptoart/">the artist’s entire studio</a> for two years. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1375182448439484424"}"></div></p>
<p>ArtStation, a site for digital artists to showcase their portfolios, recently developed an NFT marketplace. But within hours of telling the world about the planned launch, widespread condemnation on social media <a href="https://magazine.artstation.com/2021/03/a-statement-from-artstation/">forced ArtStation to scrap the project</a>.</p>
<p>Alternative technologies exist that enable NFT markets without the carbon headache. Sidechains use negligible amounts of energy to process NFTs because these transactions occur on a more centralised platform where costs (and carbon footprints) are much lower.</p>
<p>Damien Hirst is <a href="https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210330005703/en/Palm-A-New-NFT-Ecosystem-and-Studio-for-Creators-Announces-Launch-of-First-Project-with-Damien-Hirst">due to release a collection</a> of NFTs called The Currency Project using the Palm sidechain. Hirst will still be <a href="https://decrypt.co/59864/damien-hirst-bitcoin-ethereum-art">accepting payment in Bitcoin</a> though, so his NFTs could still come with hefty carbon baggage.</p>
<h2>Taking artistic license with climate solutions</h2>
<p><a href="https://www.dezeen.com/2021/03/22/mars-house-krista-kim-nft-news/">NFT enthusiasts argue</a> that the increasing popularity of blockchain technology, with its <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-019-0567-9">voracious appetite for energy</a>, provides incentives for upgrading energy grids from fossil fuels to renewable sources. Similar arguments have been made by the airline industry: in order to fund the efficiency innovations that could make aviation greener, people should <a href="https://fee.org/articles/flying-less-is-not-a-solution-to-reducing-carbon-emissions-innovation-is/">fly more, not less</a>. For NFTs, evidence shows this approach is <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joule.2021.02.006">unlikely to work</a>. Due to the competitive nature of proof-of-work mining, booming NFT markets are encouraging the construction of reliable coal-fired power stations, so that crypto miners don’t have to suffer intermittent access to renewable generation.</p>
<p>Some NFT creators are trying to have their crypto-cake and eat it by using carbon offsets. <a href="https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoforum.2019.02.011">Buying offsets</a> funds conservation work, with each carbon credit purchased equivalent to one tonne of carbon saved, which is either stored in a tree or theoretically prevented from escaping into the atmosphere through some sort of industrial innovation. The <a href="https://carbon.fyi/">Offsetra company</a> provides an emissions calculator and sells carbon credits to offset emissions caused by NFT transactions. The NFT marketplace Nifty Gateway recently auctioned eight carbon net-negative NFTs “<a href="https://www.carbondrop.art/">inspired by Earth and the climate crisis</a>”. The artworks received 60 carbon credits. Each offset was itself an NFT.</p>
<p>NFT carbon credits (or any carbon credits for that matter) <a href="https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/09644016.2021.1877063?src=">depend on clever accounting</a> and a belief that carbon, like NFTs on a blockchain, can be immutably locked away in trees forever. <a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fbloc.2020.00022/full">It cannot</a>. <a href="https://www.carbondrop.art/">Nifty’s website</a> explains that offsets make sense for neutralising our unavoidable emissions, “after we’ve done all attainable actions” to reduce our carbon footprint. </p>
<p>But does acquiring bragging rights to a digital image that anyone with an internet connection can enjoy constitute an unavoidable part of one’s carbon footprint?</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/158077/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Peter Howson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>NFTs don’t even exist in the real world, but the market around them has a big effect on the planet.Peter Howson, Senior Lecturer in International Development, Northumbria University, NewcastleLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1431902020-08-06T20:00:30Z2020-08-06T20:00:30ZBingeing Netflix under lockdown? Here’s why streaming comes at a cost to the environment<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351471/original/file-20200806-24-m6bzv5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=34%2C548%2C4538%2C2495&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Mollie Sivaram/Unsplash</span>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>Coronavirus lockdowns have led to a <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2020/COVID-19-puts-brakes-on-global-emissions">massive reduction</a> in global emissions, but there’s one area where energy usage is up – way up – during the pandemic: <a href="https://which-50.com/an-extraordinary-period-in-internet-history-akamai-data-shows-30-per-cent-surge-in-internet-traffic/">internet traffic</a>. </p>
<p>Data-intensive <a href="https://www.streamingmediablog.com/2020/04/cdn-traffic-update.html">video streaming</a>, <a href="https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/gaming-usage-up-75-percent-coronavirus-outbreak-verizon-reports-1285140">gaming</a> and <a href="https://blog.zoom.us/wordpress/2020/04/01/a-message-to-our-users/">livestreaming</a> for business, university and school classes, is <a href="https://theshiftproject.org/en/lean-ict-2/">chewing up energy</a>. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/netflix-has-capitalized-on-social-isolation-but-will-its-success-continue-in-a-post-coronavirus-world-133414">Netflix has capitalized on social isolation, but will its success continue in a post-coronavirus world?</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Estimates can be <a href="https://www.carbonbrief.org/factcheck-what-is-the-carbon-footprint-of-streaming-video-on-netflix">notoriously difficult</a> and depend on the electricity source, but six hours of streaming video may be the equivalent of burning one litre of petrol, due to emissions from the electricity used to power the <a href="https://theconversation.com/wheres-your-data-its-not-actually-in-the-cloud-its-sitting-in-a-data-centre-64168">data centres</a> which deliver the video. </p>
<p>In fact, the energy associated with the global IT sector – from powering internet servers to charging smartphones – is estimated to have the <a href="https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/08/160811090046.htm">same carbon footprint</a> as the <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-06610-y">aviation industry’s fuel emissions</a> (before planes were grounded). </p>
<p>But Australia is a global leader in research to lower the energy used in IT, which is vital for meeting the streaming demand without the environmental cost.</p>
<h2>Where does the data come from?</h2>
<p>Video requires huge amounts of data, and accounts for around <a href="https://theshiftproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/2019-02.pdf">80% of the data</a> transmitted on the internet. Much of the energy needed for streaming services is consumed by data centres, which deliver data to your computer or device. Increasingly housed in vast factory-sized buildings, these servers store, process and distribute internet traffic. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A man stands at the end of long, bluish room with walls of tech on either side." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351465/original/file-20200806-20-2ln41e.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Data centres, in factory-sized buildings, send data to your device.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Research in 2015 found data centres may consume as much as <a href="https://www.mdpi.com/2078-1547/6/1/117">13% of the world’s electricity by 2030</a>, accounting for about 6% of global carbon dioxide emissions. And the European Commission-funded Eureca project <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/major-milestone-driving-energy-efficiency-data-rabih-bashroush/">found</a> data centres in EU countries consumed 25% more energy in 2017 compared with 2014.</p>
<p>Imagine what those figures will look like at the end of this year of home-bound internet use. </p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/wheres-your-data-its-not-actually-in-the-cloud-its-sitting-in-a-data-centre-64168">Where's your data? It's not actually in the cloud, it's sitting in a data centre</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>Meeting demands with Moore’s law</h2>
<p>The growth in IT is often taken for granted. In contrast to the old days of dial-up internet, we now demand a three-hour movie, in high definition, to download immediately. We want phones that can take video like a pro.</p>
<p>None of this is free. Nor is it sustainable. Every year the number of computations, or transmission of information through space, done globally, <a href="https://science.sciencemag.org/content/332/6025/60">increases by 60%</a>, according to 2011 research. </p>
<p>All this computation uses “transistors”. These are tiny switches that amplify electrical signals, and are made using silicon-based technology. </p>
<p>For the past 40 years, our ever-increasing need for more computing was largely satisfied by incremental improvements in silicon-based computing technology – ever-smaller, ever-faster, ever-more efficient chips. We refer to this constant shrinking of silicon components as “Moore’s law”.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="A hand holds the components of an iPhone 6S, pointing to a tiny chip." src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/351488/original/file-20200806-14-1yb11e7.JPG?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Pointing to the processor chip at the heart of an iPhone 6S, which came out in 2015. This chip measures 12mm by 15mm and contains over 2 billion transistors. At this point, the transistors were 19 nanometres.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Errol Hunt</span>, <span class="license">Author provided</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>For example, since the late 1970s the length of transistors reduces by about 30%, and the area by about 50%, every two years. This shrinks the energy used in switching on and off each transistor by about 50%, which is better for the environment. </p>
<p>While each transistor uses only a tiny amount of energy, there are billions of transistors in a typical computer chip, each switching billions of time per second. This can add up to a vast amount of energy. </p>
<h2>We need better chips</h2>
<p>Recently it has become much <a href="https://www.sciencefocus.com/future-technology/when-the-chips-are-down/">harder</a> (and much more <a href="https://www.economist.com/news/2013/11/18/no-moore">expensive</a>) to pursue such trends, and the number of companies pursuing smaller components is dropping off rapidly. </p>
<p>Globally, four companies manufactured chips with 14 nanometre (nm) transistors in 2014, but in recent years they’ve struggled to continue shrinking the size of silicon transistors. Global Foundries dropped out of this race altogether in <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/13277/globalfoundries-stops-all-7nm-development">2018</a>, and Intel experienced enormous <a href="https://www.anandtech.com/show/15580/intel-cfo-our-10nm-will-be-less-profitable-than-22nm">problems</a> with manufacturing at 10 nm. That leaves only two companies (Samsung and TSMC) making 7 nm transistors today.</p>
<p>So the answer isn’t to switch off Netflix. The answer is to create <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2020/02/24/905789/were-not-prepared-for-the-end-of-moores-law/">better computer chips</a>. </p>
<p>But we’ve got everything we can out of silicon, so we need to use something else. If we want computing to continue to grow, we need new, energy-efficient computers.</p>
<h2>Australia is a leader in low-energy solutions</h2>
<p>Australia is leading the world in this new field to replace conventional electronics. The ARC Centre of Excellence in Future Low-Energy Electronics Technologies (<a href="http://www.fleet.org.au/">FLEET</a>) was established in 2017 to address exactly this challenge.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jQ_ihxXcqpg?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Michael Fuhrer explains topological materials and why they might change the world.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Last year scientists at FLEET published research in Nature <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-018-0788-5">revealing</a> the discovery that the “topological” material sodium-bismuthide could be the key to achieving ultra-low energy electronics.</p>
<p>These so-called topological insulators, which led to a <a href="https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/physics/2016/summary/">2016 Nobel Prize in Physics</a>, conduct electricity only along their edges, and in one direction, without loss of energy due to resistance.</p>
<p>This discovery is a first step towards the development of a low-energy replacement for conventional silicon-based electronics.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-are-scientists-so-excited-about-a-recently-claimed-quantum-computing-milestone-124082">Why are scientists so excited about a recently claimed quantum computing milestone?</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>Other top research centres in Australia are addressing different parts of this challenge. For example, <a href="https://tmos.org.au/">one centre</a> is working to reduce the energy used in ubiquitous communication of digital data. Another two are taking a different tack, developing an entirely new <a href="https://www.technologyreview.com/2019/01/29/66141/what-is-quantum-computing/">quantum technology for computing</a> which promises to enormously speed up, and improve the efficiency of, certain difficult computing tasks.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xGdtimGxxe0?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
<figcaption><span class="caption">Quantum computing expert Michelle Simmons explains why this research is so important.</span></figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Other countries are equally focused on developing alternatives to the unsustainable need for better and faster electronics, since we cannot sustain the energy needed for these existing and future technologies.</p>
<p>All of these technologies are still confined to specialised laboratories and are probably at least a decade away from finding their way into everyday devices. But we don’t expect the demand for computing to go away, and the energy problem in IT will only become more urgent.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/143190/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Michael Fuhrer receives funding from the Australian Research Council.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Errol Hunt does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Six hours of streaming video may be the equivalent of burning one litre of petrol.Michael Fuhrer, Professor of Physics, Monash UniversityErrol Hunt, Senior Communication Coordinator, Monash UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1231762020-06-22T19:59:17Z2020-06-22T19:59:17ZAustralia has failed miserably on energy efficiency – and government figures hide the truth<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/343106/original/file-20200622-75517-1rjskf6.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=14%2C14%2C4734%2C3132&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Dave Hunt/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Amid the urgent need to slow climate change by cutting greenhouse gas emissions, energy efficiency makes sense. But as Australia’s chief scientist Alan Finkel <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/jun/21/chief-scientist-joins-calls-for-australia-to-dramatically-boost-energy-efficiency">last week warned</a>, we’re not “anywhere close to having that nailed”.</p>
<p>Energy efficiency means using less energy to achieve the same outcomes. It’s the <a href="http://www.climateinstitute.org.au/verve/_resources/TCI_BoostingAustraliasEnergyProductivity_July2013.pdf">cheapest way</a> to cut greenhouse gas emissions and achieve our climate goals. Improving energy efficiency is also vital to achieving so-called “energy productivity” – getting more economic output, using the same or less energy.</p>
<p>But Australia’s <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-productivity-and-energy-efficiency/national-energy-productivity-plan">national energy productivity plan</a>, agreed by the nation’s energy ministers in 2015, has gone nowhere. </p>
<p>It set a goal of a 40% improvement in energy productivity by 2030. But my analysis, based on the most recent official data, shows that in the three years to 2017-18, energy productivity increased by a mere 1.1%.</p>
<p>Clearly, there is much work to do. So let’s take a look at the problem and the potential solutions.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343107/original/file-20200622-75505-1j11r63.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Energy efficiency reduces power bills for consumers.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Julian Smith/AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Energy efficiency: a low-hanging fruit</h2>
<p>Better energy efficiency lowers electricity bills, makes businesses more competitive and helps manage energy demand. Of course, it also means less greenhouse gas emissions, because fewer fossil fuels are burnt for energy.</p>
<p>Business, unions and green groups recognise the benefits. Last month they joined forces to <a href="https://www.bca.com.au/building_a_stronger_and_cleaner_post_pandemic_australia">call for</a> a sustainable COVID-19 economic recovery, with energy efficiency at the core, saying:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>In Australia, a major drive to improve the energy efficiency of buildings and industry could deliver over 120,000 job-years of employment […] Useful upgrades could be made across Australia’s private and public housing; commercial, community and government buildings; and industrial facilities.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The group said improvements could include: </p>
<ul>
<li>more efficient and controllable appliances and equipment, especially for heating and cooling</li>
<li>improved shading and thermal envelopes (improving the way a building’s walls, ceiling and floors prevent heat transfer) </li>
<li>smart meters to measure energy use</li>
<li>distributed energy generation and storage, such as wind and solar backed by batteries</li>
<li>fuel switching (replacing inefficient fuels with cleaner and economical alternatives)</li>
<li>equipment, training and advice for better energy management.<br></li>
</ul>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/homes-with-higher-energy-ratings-sell-for-more-heres-how-australian-owners-could-cash-in-128548">Homes with higher energy ratings sell for more. Here's how Australian owners could cash in</a>
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</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The International Energy Agency (IEA) has suggested <a href="https://www.iea.org/news/iea-offers-world-governments-a-sustainable-recovery-plan-to-boost-economic-growth-create-millions-of-jobs-and-put-emissions-into-structural-decline">other measures</a> for industry and manufacturing, such as: </p>
<ul>
<li>installing more efficient electric motors</li>
<li>switching from gas to electric heat pumps</li>
<li>more waste and material recycling.</li>
</ul>
<p>And in transport, the IEA suggests incentives to get older, less efficient cars off the roads and encourage the uptake of electric vehicles.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/343110/original/file-20200622-75483-cm4unz.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Residential buildings offer big opportunities for energy efficiency improvements.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Brendan Esposito/AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Governments’ sleight of hand</h2>
<p>In 2018 <a href="https://www.iea.org/reports/energy-policies-of-iea-countries-australia-2018-review">the IEA observed</a>:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>the power sector will be at the heart of Australia’s energy system
transformation […] International best practice suggests that both energy efficiency and renewable energy are key drivers of the energy transition.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Since then, renewable energy’s share of the electricity mix has increased. But energy productivity has stalled.</p>
<p>To understand how, we must define a few key terms.</p>
<p><em>Primary</em> energy refers to energy extracted from the environment, such as coal, crude oil, and electrical energy collected by a wind turbine or solar panel.</p>
<p><em>Final</em> energy is the energy supplied to a consumer, such as electricity delivered to homes or fuel pumped at a petrol station.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/coronavirus-is-a-sliding-doors-moment-what-we-do-now-could-change-earths-trajectory-137838">Coronavirus is a 'sliding doors' moment. What we do now could change Earth's trajectory</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>A lot of energy is lost in the process of turning extracted primary fuels into ready-to-use fuels for consumers. For example at coal-fired power stations, on average, <a href="https://www.energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2013/04/f0/HS_Coal_Studyguide_draft1.pdf">one-third of the energy </a>supplied by burning coal is converted to electricity. The remainder is lost as waste heat.</p>
<p>Until 2015, Australia and most other countries used final energy as a measure of how rapidly energy efficiency was improving. But the national productivity plan instead set goals around primary energy productivity – aiming to increase it by 40% between 2015 and 2030. </p>
<p>This has made it possible for governments to hide how badly Australia is travelling on improving energy efficiency. I analysed <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id:%22library/prspub/17I30%22">national accounts</a> figures and <a href="https://www.energy.gov.au/government-priorities/energy-data/australian-energy-statistics">energy statistics</a>, to produce the below table. It reveals the governments’ sleight of hand. </p>
<p>Over the three years from 2014-15 to 2017-18, final energy productivity increased by only 1.1%, whereas primary energy productivity increased by 3.5%.</p>
<p>The reduced primary energy consumption is mostly due to a large increase in wind and solar generation. The efficiency of energy used by final consumers has scarcely changed.</p>
<p><iframe id="BDwDL" class="tc-infographic-datawrapper" src="https://datawrapper.dwcdn.net/BDwDL/1/" height="400px" width="100%" style="border: none" frameborder="0"></iframe></p>
<h2>A sustainable future</h2>
<p>The lack of progress on energy productivity is not surprising, given governments have shown very little interest in the issue. </p>
<p>As Finkel noted in his address, Australia’s energy productivity plan is absent from the list of national climate and energy policies. The plan’s 2019 annual report has not been released. And those released since 2015 have not monitored progress in energy productivity.</p>
<p>What’s more, the plan makes no mention of previous similar agreements, in <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/bd/bd0910/10bd152">2004</a> and <a href="https://www.energyrating.gov.au/document/report-national-strategy-energy-efficiency">2009</a>, to accelerate energy efficiency with regulation and financial incentives. Since 2013, almost all Commonwealth programs supporting those agreements have been de-funded or <a href="https://www.aph.gov.au/Parliamentary_Business/Bills_Legislation/Bills_Search_Results/Result?bId=r5232">abolished</a>, and many state programs have also been cut back.</p>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/how-to-cut-your-fuel-bill-clear-the-air-and-reduce-emissions-stop-engine-idling-135316">How to cut your fuel bill, clear the air and reduce emissions: stop engine idling</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The IEA’s <a href="https://www.iea.org/news/iea-offers-world-governments-a-sustainable-recovery-plan-to-boost-economic-growth-create-millions-of-jobs-and-put-emissions-into-structural-decline">sustainable recovery plan</a>, released last week, outlined what a sustainable global economic recovery might look like. In particular, it said better energy efficiency and switching to more efficient electric technologies will deliver triple benefits: increased employment, a more productive economy and lower greenhouse gas emissions.</p>
<p>In this carbon-constrained world, relatively easy and cheap opportunities such as energy efficiency must be seized. And as Australia spends to get its post-pandemic economy back on track, now is the time to act.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/123176/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Hugh Saddler does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Better energy efficiency lowers electricity bills, manages energy demand and helps the climate. Unfortunately, Australia is going nowhere on this cheap, simple measure.Hugh Saddler, Honorary Associate Professor, Centre for Climate Economics and Policy, Australian National UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1229392019-09-06T06:02:34Z2019-09-06T06:02:34ZAustralia has met its renewable energy target. But don’t pop the champagne<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291220/original/file-20190906-175700-83wrpu.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Wind energy has played a major role in Australia's fulfilment of the renewable energy target</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Olivier Hoslet/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A wind farm project in Tasmania this week helped Australia reach something of a milestone, nudging it over the line to reach its renewable energy target.</p>
<p>The Clean Energy Regulator announced it had approved capacity from the 148.5 megawatt Cattle Hill wind farm project, meaning the nation’s <a href="http://www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/About/Pages/News%20and%20updates/NewsItem.aspx?ListId=19b4efbb-6f5d-4637-94c4-121c1f96fcfe&ItemId=683">Large-scale Renewable Energy Target will be fulfilled</a>. </p>
<p>Federal energy and emissions reduction minister Angus Taylor seized on the development, suggesting it showed the government’s <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/australia-to-hit-2020-large-scale-renewable-target-ahead-of-schedule-20190903-p52nj3.html">record investment in renewable energy</a> was world-leading. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291221/original/file-20190906-175663-3u0o72.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Energy and Emissions Reduction Minister Angus Taylor said renewables investment would continue to grow.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Taylor has <a href="https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/angus-taylor-confirms-government-won-t-be-replacing-renewable-energy-target-20180918-p504j1.html">previously declared</a> his government will not extend the target - the primary national mechanism supporting renewable energy. But this week he insisted “<a href="https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/australia-to-hit-2020-large-scale-renewable-target-ahead-of-schedule-20190903-p52nj3.html">investment is not slowing down</a>”.</p>
<p>This bold claim flies in the face of the evidence. Investment in new renewable energy capacity <em>is</em> slowing down. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=318&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291055/original/file-20190905-175710-7603eh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Losing momentum: Australian renewables investment has cooled in 2019.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bloomberg New Energy Finance</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The latest data from <a href="https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-08-01/creaking-grid-is-jamming-up-australia-s-switch-to-green-energy">Bloomberg New Energy Finance</a> clearly shows a 21% drop in investment from the 2018 to 2019 financial years. </p>
<p>As Australia’s emissions reduction task becomes ever more urgent, the investment downturn begs the question: what happens next?</p>
<h2>In fact, Australia cruised over the line</h2>
<p>It is ironic that the Morrison government rushed to claim a win on the renewable energy target when many in the Coalition had claimed it would be difficult to meet, or wanted it scrapped altogether. </p>
<p>The policy involved <a href="https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/government/renewable-energy-target-scheme">tradeable certificates which created a financial incentive</a> for new or expanded renewable energy power stations, such as wind and solar farms.</p>
<p>Under the target just met, 33 terrawatt-hours (TWh) of Australia’s electricity would be produced by new renewables by 2020, bringing the total share of renewable energy to about 23.5%.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291225/original/file-20190906-175710-4381e4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=502&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Mount Majura Solar farm near Canberra.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP/Lucas Cochleae</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/at-its-current-rate-australia-is-on-track-for-50-renewable-electricity-in-2025-102903">At its current rate, Australia is on track for 50% renewable electricity in 2025</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<p>The target was <a href="https://parlinfo.aph.gov.au/parlInfo/search/display/display.w3p;query=Id%3A%22library%2Fpartypol%2F5VRO6%22;src1=sm1">established by the Rudd Labor government</a>and overhauled by the Abbott Coalition government after it came to power. It commissioned a <a href="https://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/climate/ret-reviewer-dick-warburton-im-not-a-climate-sceptic/news-story/5b02d71333655e924085a89fc07376f0">contentious review</a> of the target, then in 2015 reduced it to 33TWh after <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-05-18/breakthrough-in-renewable-energy-target-deal/6477748">protracted negotiations with Labor</a>.</p>
<p>As it transpired, that target was easily met. But the then industry minister Ian Macfarlane described the task as an “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4238106.htm">enormous challege</a>”, and industry figures suggested the required wind energy was <a href="https://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2015/s4238106.htm">“almost impossible”</a>. Even Taylor initially said the target was “<a href="https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/am/energy-regulator-predicts-australia-will-hit-target-2020/11476920">too high</a>”.</p>
<p>The cut itself was bad enough for the renewable energy industry. But the uncertainty created during the review devastated investment.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=338&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291057/original/file-20190905-175696-19nztdh.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=424&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Renewable energy investment in Australia. There was a drop in investment during the review of the target, and a significant uptick once the bipartisan ship and a new target was restored. [Available from: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2018-01-18/renewable-energy-investment-in-australia/9339350]</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">BNEF</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Investment did boom following bipartisan support for the new, lower target. But we can only speculate what may have been possible without the uncertainty created by the review. </p>
<h2>It’s not looking rosy for renewables</h2>
<p>The drop-off in investment is a worrying trend for the renewable energy industry, and for climate action more broadly. We can expect a drop-off in new additions in capacity in line with the drop in investment.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=370&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291058/original/file-20190905-175673-17mj7ef.png?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=464&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Australian Energy Market Commission data showing committed renewable energy projects for the next 12-18 months.</span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The table above shows the current committed projects for next 12-18 months. While more projects are likely to be committed over the next 18 months, it’s hard to see the peak of 2018 repeated soon, particularly with investment dropping away. </p>
<p>The achievement of the renewable energy target leaves a federal policy void. Renewable energy may now be the <a href="https://www.csiro.au/en/News/News-releases/2018/Annual-update-finds-renewables-are-cheapest-new-build-power">lowest-cost source of new electricity supply</a>. But it is competing against assets such as coal-fired power stations with sunk costs - meaning that new renewables projects are essentially competing only with a coal plant’s fuel costs. Absent a price on carbon or similar policy, coal assets are allowed to pollute the atmosphere for free. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291230/original/file-20190906-175705-1hjl4ja.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The renewable energy target has helped displace fossil fuel-derived power from the electricity mix.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">AAP</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<hr>
<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/making-australia-a-renewable-energy-exporting-superpower-107285">Making Australia a renewable energy exporting superpower</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
<hr>
<h2>What next?</h2>
<p>There are lessons to be learned from Germany to ensure a less bumpy transition to a decarbonised electricity sector. “<a href="https://www.auswaertiges-amt.de/blob/610620/5d9bfec0ab35695b9db548d10c94e57d/the-german-energiewende-data.pdf">Deployment corridors</a>” help make the development of renewable energy sources more predictable, improve integration into the power system, and keep additional costs to consumers manageable. </p>
<p>But unless emissions-intensive generation closes or renewable energy support is reintroduced, renewable energy expansion in Australia is unlikely to proceed at the pace required to meet the Paris targets. Keeping the global average temperature rise well below 2°C requires “<a href="https://www.ipcc.ch/sr15/chapter/chapter-2/">rapid and profound near-term decarbonisation of energy supply</a>” and strong upscaling of renewables. </p>
<p>The states are attempting to fill the federal policy gap. Several have their own renewable energy support schemes and all states in the east coast’s National Electricity Market have committed to net zero emissions by 2050.</p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/291233/original/file-20190906-175691-jshe4w.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">A coal station in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Julian Smith/AAP</span></span>
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<p>Continued renewables growth also requires <a href="https://www.aemc.gov.au/market-reviews-advice/coordination-generation-and-transmission-investment-implementation-access-and">transmission infrastructure</a> and storage technologies to ensure the distributed energy can be delivered where it is needed, and that reliability is maintained. Several states have also <a href="http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2019/9/4/power-package-fires-up-nq-renewables">recently committed</a> resources to transmission investment. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/clean-green-machines-the-truth-about-electric-vehicle-emissions-122619">Clean, green machines: the truth about electric vehicle emissions</a>
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<p>The state-led action calls into question the effectiveness of the Council of Australian Governments’ (COAG) energy council. The group comprises the nation’s energy ministers and claims to maintain national “<a href="http://www.coagenergycouncil.gov.au/about-us/our-role">policy leadership</a>” on energy. However it hasn’t met in almost nine months and its <a href="http://www.coagenergycouncil.gov.au/sites/prod.energycouncil/files/publications/documents/Australian%20Energy%20Market%20Agreement%20-%20Dec%202013_1.pdf">overarching agreement</a> is more then 15 years old, and doesn’t refer to environmental outcomes or emissions cuts.</p>
<p>A new direction for the council is probably wishful thinking in the current political environment. But as emissions continue to rise in Australia, the need for significant reform only intensifies.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/122939/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Dylan McConnell has received funding from the AEMC's Consumer Advocacy Panel and Energy Consumers Australia.</span></em></p>The federal government this week heralded Australia’s renewable energy performance. But the outlook leaves little cause for celebration.Dylan McConnell, Researcher at the Australian German Climate and Energy College, The University of MelbourneLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1027252018-09-05T20:04:28Z2018-09-05T20:04:28ZAustralia is not on track to reach 2030 Paris target (but the potential is there)<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/341770/original/file-20200615-65908-1jhwnnx.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=15%2C5%2C3479%2C2294&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption"></span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Tim Wimbourne/AAP</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>While Australia is coming to terms with yet another new prime minister, one thing that hasn’t changed is the emissions data: Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are not projected to fall any further without new policies.</p>
<p>Australia, as a signatory to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-paris-climate-agreement-at-a-glance-50465">Paris Agreement</a> on climate change, has committed to reduce its total emissions to 26-28% below 2005 levels by 2030, and reach net zero emissions by 2050.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/why-is-climate-changes-2-degrees-celsius-of-warming-limit-so-important-82058">Why is climate change's 2 degrees Celsius of warming limit so important?</a>
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<p><a href="https://climateworks.com.au/story/media-release/australia-not-track-reach-2030-emissions-reduction-target-potential-there-report">New analysis</a> by ClimateWorks Australia has found Australia has three times the potential needed to reach the federal government’s current 2030 target, but this will not be achieved under current policy settings.</p>
<h2>Energy is not the only sector</h2>
<p>Australia’s emissions were actually falling for more than half a decade, but have been steadily increasing again since 2013. If Australia sustained the rate of emissions reduction we achieved between 2005 and 2013, we could meet the government’s 2030 target. But progress has stalled in most sectors, and reversed overall.</p>
<p>Emissions are still above 2005 levels in the industry, buildings and transport sectors, and only 3% below in the electricity sector. It is mainly because of land sector emissions savings that overall Australia’s emissions are on track to meet its 2020 target, and are currently 11% below 2005 levels.</p>
<p>Despite the current focus on the energy market, electricity emissions comprise about <a href="http://ageis.climatechange.gov.au/Chart_KP.aspx?OD_ID=79041503672&TypeID=2">one-third</a> of Australia’s total greenhouse emissions. So no matter what policies are proposed for electricity, other policies will be needed for the other major sectors of industry, buildings, transport and land.</p>
<p>Fortunately, Australia is blessed with opportunities for more emissions reductions in all sectors.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/keeping-global-warming-to-1-5-degrees-really-hard-but-not-impossible-84203">Keeping global warming to 1.5 degrees: really hard, but not impossible</a>
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<p>ClimateWorks’ analysis assessed Australia’s progress on reducing emissions at the halfway point from the 2005 base year to 2030, looking across the whole of the economy as well as at key sectors.</p>
<p>We found emissions reductions since 2005 have been led by reduced land clearing and increased forestation, as well as energy efficiency and a slight reduction in power emissions as more renewable energy has entered the market. But while total emissions reduced at an economy-wide level, and in some sectors at certain times, none of the sectors improved consistently at the rate needed to achieve the Paris climate targets.</p>
<p>Interestingly, some sub-sectors were on track for some of the time. Non-energy emissions from industry and the land sector were both improving at a rate consistent with a net zero emissions pathway for around five years. The buildings sector energy efficiency and electricity for some years improved at more than half the rate of a net zero emissions pathway. These rates have all declined since 2014 (electricity resumed its rate of improvement again in 2016).</p>
<h2>Looking forward</h2>
<p>Looking forward to 2030, we studied what would happen to emissions under current policies and those in development, including the government’s original version of the <a href="https://theconversation.com/infographic-the-national-energy-guarantee-at-a-glance-85832">National Energy Guarantee</a> with a 26% emission target for the National Electricity Market. Our analysis shows emissions reductions would be led by a further shift to cleaner electricity and energy efficiency improvements in buildings and transport, but that this would be offset by population and economic growth.</p>
<p>As a result, emissions reductions are projected to stagnate at just 11% below 2005 levels by 2030. Australia needs to double its emissions reduction progress to achieve the federal government’s 2030 target and triple its progress in order to reach net zero emissions by 2050.</p>
<p>So, while Australia is not currently on track to meet 2030 target, our analysis found it is still possible to get there.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/what-is-a-pre-industrial-climate-and-why-does-it-matter-78601">What is a pre-industrial climate and why does it matter?</a>
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<p>The gap to the 2030 target could be more than covered by further potential for emissions reductions in the land sector alone, or almost be covered by the further potential in the electricity sector alone, or by the potential in the industry, buildings and transport sectors combined. Harnessing all sectors’ potential would put us back on track for the longer-term Paris Agreement goal of net zero emissions.</p>
<p>Essentially this involves increasing renewables and phasing out coal in the electricity sector; increasing energy efficiency and switching to low carbon fuels in industry; increasing standards in buildings; introducing vehicle emissions standards and shifting to electricity and low carbon fuels in transport; and undertaking more revegetation or forestation in the land sector.</p>
<p>The opportunities identified in each sector are the lowest-cost combination using proven technologies that achieve the Paris Agreement goal, while the economy continues to grow.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/australia-can-get-to-zero-carbon-emissions-and-grow-the-economy-32015">Australia can get to zero carbon emissions, and grow the economy</a>
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<p>In the next two years, countries around the world, including Australia, will be required to report on the progress of their Paris Agreement targets and present their plans for the goal of net zero emissions. With so much potential for reducing emissions across all sectors of the Australian economy, we can do more to support all sectors to get on track – there is more than enough opportunity, if we act on it in time.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/102725/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Anna Skarbek is CEO of ClimateWorks Australia which receives funding from philanthropy and project-based income from federal, state and local government and private sector organisations. ClimateWorks Australia was co-founded by Monash University and The Myer Foundation and works within the Monash Sustainable Development Institute.</span></em></p>Australia is falling behind on its Paris targets, but we have many options for improvement.Anna Skarbek, CEO at ClimateWorks Australia, Monash UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.