August 21 is nearly upon us and some would say it’s about time given the spruiking overdrive political parties have engaged in recently in the leadup to Australia’s 2010 Federal Election.
While climate change and renewable energy were major platforms in the last election and appeared to have top billing again from the two major parties during the initial stages of the 2010 election campaign; it has somewhat taken a back seat to other issues, leading some to ask – where’s the green?
Here’s how the parties stack up in terms of their major national commitments to renewable energy and climate.
Labor renewable energy and climate policies and initiatives include:
- 5 percent carbon emissions cut by 2020.
- Carbon emissions trade scheme delayed until the end of 2012.
- An assembly of 150 people to settle on a price on carbon.
- New coal-fired power stations will need to have carbon capture and storage.
- A “cash for clunkers” program (that would take money from funds earmarked for solar power)
- $100 million over four years in a new Renewable Energy Venture Capital Fund.
- Bonus tax deduction of 50 per cent of the cost of the eligible assets or capital works to improve energy efficiency in buildings.
Coalition renewable energy and climate policies and initiatives include:
- 5 percent emissions cut by 2020 without a carbon emissions scheme.
- $1 billion emissions reduction fund to assist individuals and industry reduce carbon emissions.
- The planting of 20 million trees.
- Additional $1,000 solar panel rebate
- Investment of $100 million each year for an additional one million solar energy homes by 2020.
- 125 mid-scale solar projects will be established in schools and communities
- 25 geothermal or tidal power “micro” projects will be established in suitable towns.
- Soil carbon storage funding
Australian Greens renewable energy and climate policies and initiatives include:
- $23 a tonne carbon tax on big polluters for two years
- Ensure that renewable electricity provides 30% of national demand by 2020
- Introduction of national gross feed-in tariffs for renewable energy
- Reform Australia’s Renewable Energy Target to exclude non-renewable sources, including coal-bed methane, new hydroelectric power and native forest fuelled power stations.
- $4.5 billion in loan guarantees for big renewable energy projects.
