Several of Adelaide’s landmarks were bathed in green light on Friday night to mark the Paris Agreement coming into force.
100 of 197 parties, including Australia, have ratified the Paris Agreement (Under 2 MOU); representing at least an estimated 55 % of total global greenhouse gas emissions.
The Agreement commits signatories to keep global warming below 2°C and replaces the Kyoto Protocol.
Adelaide Oval, the Riverbank precinct and Adelaide’s Town Hall were among landmarks around the world utilized to take part in the celebrations.
While Australia is a signatory, South Australia is going the extra mile with climate commitments.
In November last year, the South Australian government adopted a target of zero net emissions (carbon neutrality) by 2050. This commitment was made under the Subnational Global Climate Leadership Memorandum of Understanding; an Under 2MOU initiative.
South Australia was the first state to introduce climate change legislation (2007) and Adelaide was the first city in the world where local and State government partnered with a goal of creating a carbon neutral city.
“Since Paris, we’ve launched a worldwide search for solutions to help create a low carbon economy, and will soon reveal plans to help reduce Adelaide’s emissions,” said Climate Change Minister Ian Hunter.
“When we made our commitment in Paris last year, we signalled to the world and future generations that we are prepared to work together to tackle climate change and to act early in our transition to a low carbon economy.”
Adelaide City Council has already launched a number of initiatives to support the uptake of renewable energy and low-emissions technology within its boundaries. It was the first in Australia to offer battery storage subsidies and more recently announced dozens of new electric vehicle charging stations will be available on streets of the City of Adelaide next year that EV owners will be able to utilise free of charge.
South Australians love solar power and the state has the second highest level of penetration in Australia (28.8%). The installation of residential and commercial solar power systems in South Australia is a no-brainer in many circumstances given the State’s high electricity prices and abundant sunshine.
According to Energy Matters, 5.2kW of solar panels installed in Adelaide, along with home battery storage can provide a financial benefit of up to $3,000 a year; depending on installation scenario and electricity consumption profile.
South Australia also has the nation’s highest concentration of wind power and sources more than 40% of its power supply from renewables.
Image credit: Beneaththelandslide at en.wikipedia [GFDL, CC-BY-SA-3.0 or CC BY 2.5], via Wikimedia Commons
