The ACT’s Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Simon Corbell, has introduced legislation to bring forward the target for net zero carbon emissions (carbon neutrality) in the Territory.
The announcement occurred just days after the Territory’s government also brought forward its 100% renewable energy target to 2020; 5 years earlier than its original goal. Related legislation was also introduced by the Minister on Tuesday.
The ACT joins South Australia on a net zero carbon emissions target, which committed to carbon neutrality by 2050 last year.
So who will hit the target first? Based on its latest renewable energy commitment and the emissions intensity per capita graph below, it appears the ACT has a solid head start.
“Changing our net zero emissions target to 2050 is an important measure as it ensures that the ACT aligns with targets set out in the Paris Agreement last year and signed by Australia last month,” said Minister Corbell.
The Paris agreement sets a goal or limiting greenhouse gas emissions in order to keep global temperature rise well below 2 degrees Celsius. It sees the end of the use of coal, oil and gas for energy; to be replaced by clean sources such as wind and solar power.
The 2050 date is important. According to a December 2015 Climate Institute Policy Brief (PDF):
“.. science suggests that all greenhouse gases would need to be at net zero by 2050 to have a chance at avoiding 1.5°C warming. To have a chance of avoiding 2°C, we would need to be at net zero between 2060 and 2070. Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from energy and industry, which last longer in the atmosphere, would need to be at zero earlier than other gases.”
The ACT has increasingly become a hotbed of activity on the renewable energy front. According to a press release, renewable energy jobs have grown six times faster in the ACT than any other jurisdiction in the country over the past five years, and twelve times faster than the national average.
“The ACT also continues to attract renewable energy businesses to the Territory, creating new training programs, research opportunities and jobs, and growing a more robust, diverse and vibrant ACT economy. Already $400 million in direct local industry developments have been secured,” said Mr. Corbell.
