Given that the environment is set to become a hot topic
in Australia throughout the summer and this campaign, it begs the question: What is Australia doing in terms of
environmental action? What is their
environmental stance on international agreements? Have they met or are they working towards
meeting these accords? How proactive is
Australia in affirming a commitment to environmental action? In this article,
we explore Australia to discover how the nation from Down Under is working
towards a better world.
Air
Australia has been monitoring chemical emissions being
released into the air since July 1998. The National
Pollutant Inventory was established to track 90 different chemicals,
most of which are considered air toxins. From this list and monitoring, the Ambient Air
Quality National Environment Protection Measure has calculated
emissions of these chemicals and has set out a plan to lower such toxins in the
air, such as carbon monoxide and photochemicals, and to eliminate some
altogether, such as lead and sulphur dioxide. This is detailed within a ten
year plan.
Climate Change
Australia has a three pillar approach to climate change: mitigation, adaptation, and a global
solution.
Mitigation
refers to reducing emissions. The belief is that without any action, carbon
related pollution could be as high as 20% higher than 2000 level by 2020. The
goal of the government is to lower emissions by at least 5% compared to the
2000 level, which will require cutting net expected pollution but roughly 25% by
2020. This includes investments into clean energy alternatives and supporting
individuals and businesses in their unique efforts. More than $5 billion has been invested into
clean energy technologies as defined in the Clean Energy
Legislative Package. The government has also established the Australian Carbon Trust, a
$100 million fund designed to finance businesses in retrofitting commercial and
industries sectors to more energy efficient options. The creation of education for green-collar
job training will also help train people in a variety of industries with the
skills necessary to facilitate such a green business revolution.
Adaption is an
educational initiative designed to help people cope with a changing Australia. A
$126 million fund in the Climate Change
Adaptation Program help educate individuals on managing climate
change risks including water conservation, health and emergencies management,
and in helping to transition industries that use a lot of resources, such as
farming and mining to better alternatives.
Global solutions
are underway as Australia is an active partner under the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The goal is to create a legally binding framework for all nations that manages
pollution reduction and enforcement.
Australia is also the current chair of the Umbrella Group,
a coalition of non-European Union developed nations who are working towards
climate change solutions. Under the Kyoto Protocol,
Australia has also publically pledged to reduce their emissions by 25% lower
than 2000 standards, a plans that has affected the creation of the domestic Clean Energy
Legislative Package.
Energy
The Australian plan to increase clean energy initiatives
is very unique and involves all of their citizens.
First, within the Clean Energy
Legislative Package, all Australians who make under $80,000 per year
will receive tax rebates based on the government’s new carbon pricing strategy.
There is an expected 0.7% increase in the cost of living as commodities that
increase carbon production are taxed at higher level. The rebate in meant to
offset consumer costs. This also includes the rollout of a nationwide education
initiative so that everyone understands how carbon pricing works, what
commodities it is attached to, and what appropriate rates should be.
There have also been two local projects, one in Tweed and
the other in Moreton Bay, to test different energy alternatives.
Since 2009, Tweed has worked to reduce organic wastes
ending up in landfills. They have been able to reduce waste production by 42%
and instead, have used organic wastes in a new methane gas extraction system,
which is capable of generating 3,000 megawatt hours of electricity. The capture
and burning of methane also reduces 12,900 tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions
annually. Moreton Bay is tackling their landfill as well. Since 2006, the
introduction of curbside recycling has removed 25% of all waste from entering
landfills. The city also has other
recycling initiatives, which brings the total waste removal to 42%. The
installation of landfill gas management systems also further reduces landfill
gas emission by 50%. Under the new carbon pricing strategy, the city believes
that they will save $3.2 million through lower carbon production. These are two
strategies that are being investigated for potential national rollouts.
Protection
It has been 14 years since the Biodiversity Conservation Act
was enacted in 1999. This piece of legislation has served as the cornerstone
for all Australian environmental legislation that has since followed. The goal
is to preserve and protect flora, fauna, and ecological heritage sites from
damage and pollution. Australia is a nation of large wilderness of many diverse
landscapes. In working with the states and territories, their legacy can be
preserved in their original states, untouched by humans, as a living monument
to the natural world as well as helping as natural carbon captures.
Sustainability
Environmental sustainability is an important issue as
urban communities continue to grow. A $2 billion plan is meant to ensure
biodiversity of Australia’s natural environment while bringing forth
sustainable agricultural practices. There are 56 regional natural resource
management groups that are working in conjunction with the government to
protect untouched areas of the country, minimize damage to animal habits, and
to ensure that natural carbon capture within forested areas are not cut down so
as not to increase emissions.
Pollution and
Waste Management
The National Waste
Policy outlines the nation’s waste management and recycling
programs, currently dated to include implementations until 2020. Between 2002
and 2007, Australia has noticed a 31% increase in waste generation. Much of
this increase is in technologically outdated commercial goods, which may
contain metals and chemicals that are harmful to the environment, in addition
to taking up space in landfills. The aims of this policy are meant to serve 4
goals: reducing waste generation, re-imagining waste as a resource, safe disposal,
and the reduction of contaminants entering the environment from landfill sites.
Part of the mandate of this proposal also includes an adherence to monitoring
and accurate data collection.
Water
The National Water
Commission was created from the National Water
Commission Act in 2004 and further amended last year. This gives
them the authority to manage Australia’s water systems through the Water Act
of 2007. They also work in conjunction with regional, state, territorial, and
local authorities in water management and conservation practices. Current major projects include the
Murray-Darling Basin audit. The Commission
acts as an independent reviewer in such audits in order to find areas where
increased water resource management can benefit.
What the Future
for Australia Holds
Australia is one of the more progressive developed
nations that is working towards an environmental strategy that balances
environmental action with sustainability. This is a difficult thing to manage
and the upcoming election shows exactly that. People have many different ideas
of what a sound environmental strategy is. So far, Australians have benefitted
from a government that has looked for national solutions as well as has
contributed to global organizations in a leadership role. Let’s hope that
Australia continues to be an example for the rest of the developed world and
show that environmental action can work with sustainability!
Sources: Atmosphere AU, NWC.gov.au, Environment AU, Sustainability AU, Climate Change AU, Clean Energy Future, Environment AU, Australia.gov.au, Benefits of Recycling, The Age, Australia.com, Social Studies, Marine Science Today, Desert Animals, Desalination AU, Environment ABC, Public Works Green Energy Award, NCCARF, Tony Charters, Beautiful Australia
