Climate change solutions
According to the best science, an average global warming of 2°C or more would result in dangerous climate change, leading to irreversible social, economic and environmental impacts.
We must act now to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Delays will make the transition to reduced emissions increasingly expensive and difficult, with much greater risk of failure.
Other developed countries with large industrial sectors have reduced emissions since 1990 using a combination of energy efficiency, renewable and low-emission technologies and re-forestation. Norway has reduced emissions by 18%, Germany by 17% and the United Kingdom by 14%.
The good news is that Australia is well-placed to reduce emissions. We are a wealthy nation; we have plentiful renewable sources and access to world-class skills and technology. WWF's Climate Solutions report demonstrates that the solutions are available now!
Read on to learn about the solutions available and then find out what you can do to help us reduce global warming.
Set targets Reduce energy use Renewable energy Low-emission sources of energy Price carbon pollution Stop deforestation Offset what you can't reduce Ratify KyotoSet targets
Emission reduction targets are a crucial component of policies and measures to reduce future greenhouse gas emissions.
These targets should be based on the best available scientific evidence rather than economic models as targets based on economic models do not necessarily deal with the underlying problem – namely preventing dangerous climate change.
Australia is not on target to combat climate change. Our greenhouse gas emissions levels are going up when they should be going down.
As a wealthy developed country, Australia can afford to set targets to:
- Stabilise emissions by 2010;
- Reduce emissions by 20-30% of 1990 levels by 2020; and
- Reduce emissions by 60-80% of 1990 levels by 2050.
Price on greenhouse gas pollution
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions we need to impose a cost on releasing greenhouse gases – this will encourage more efficient use of energy and support low-emission energy sources.
Many countries now require greenhouse gas pollution to be paid for under schemes known as carbon taxing or emissions trading schemes.
Emissions trading is the most commonly used scheme, with several emission trading schemes operating in the world (including one in New South Wales).
Emissions trading schemes allow polluters across the economy to choose the cheapest way to reduce their emissions. The government sets a limit, or cap, on the amount of greenhouse gases that can be released into the atmosphere. A permit/credit allows the holder to emit up to this specified amount. Businesses that exceed their quotas must buy carbon credits for their excess emissions, while businesses that are below their quotas can sell their unused credits. Carbon credits can be generated by activities such as reforestation and the use or purchase of renewable energy sources.
Australia has not yet introduced a national emissions trading scheme. Establishing one by 2010 is both feasible and desirable because it would provide market incentives for the more efficient use of energy and investment in renewable and low-emission technologies. The longer we delay, the harder and more costly it gets.
Reduce energy use
We currently waste a lot of energy. Measures to use energy more efficiently could play a large, essentially painless and non-controversial role in ensuring a more sustainable future. In fact, energy efficiency improvements could account for 30-50% of total carbon dioxide emission reductions by 2050.
Major energy savings can be made by adopting currently available best practice technologies, using innovative materials and putting more efficient processes and systems in place. While the upfront costs of doing so are higher, they usually result in lower operating costs.
Energy efficiency gains can be made in the way we use appliances, design, build and occupy buildings (domestic, commercial and industrial) move ourselves and our goods. In the home, for example, savings can be made by installing better insulation, lower emission lighting, and more efficient appliances, heating and cooling systems.
Vehicle efficiency standards need to be improved but this must also be coupled with measures to reduce vehicle use and improve public transport and freight options.
There are many savings you can make at home and at work. Governments can help by setting efficiency standards for buildings, appliances and vehicles.
Low-emission energy sources
Natural gas
Natural gas can be used as a 'bridging fuel'. Its use avoids locking in new coal-fired power stations and provides significant carbon savings in the shorter term, while other energy sources and technologies are developed.
Clean coal and carbon capture and storage (CCS)
Clean coal is a term used to describe technologies designed to reduce the amount of CO2 emitted by coal-fired power stations.
'Clean' coal technologies can include fluidised bed combustion, integrated gasification combined cycle (IGCC), oxy-fuel combustion and supercritical boilers. They produce fewer emissions than conventional coal, but still have quite high emissions compared to other available sources, such as renewable energy and gas. WWF does not support the use of these technologies in new power plants unless they are accompanied by carbon capture and storage.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS) is the process of capturing carbon dioxide gas (CO2) from coal or gas power plants and storing it in deep underground formations, instead of releasing it into the atmosphere.
CCS can probably reduce emissions from a power station by 70-80% (there are presently no CCS coal-fired power stations operating in the world) and could make an important contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, because CCS is not zero emissions it will only comprise about 25% of the emission reduction solution and renewable or other low and zero technologies must provide the remaining reductions.
Stop deforestation
Deforestation accounts for 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions. Tropical forests and their soils absorb and retain carbon dioxide. When deforestation occurs or land practices are changed, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere. While afforestation (restoring forests) is positive, the primary focus needs to be on preventing deforestation in the first place.
Deforestation occurs for many reasons, including agricultural expansion, grazing, infrastructure development and logging. Population pressures and increasing consumption demands (domestic and foreign) act as prime motivators for deforestation. With better governance, land-use planning and accurate data, it is plausible to halve the current rate of global deforestation by 2015 and achieve a zero rate by 2020.
Renewable energy
Renewable energy sources are diverse and numerous. They include solar, wind, hydro, wave, ocean, tide and geothermal power, as well as various forms of bio-energy.
Renewable energy currently provides 17% of global energy needs.
Countries with the strongest markets in renewable energies include Brazil (particularly for biofuels), China (solar hot water and small hydro), Denmark (wind), Germany (wind and solar PV), India (wind, rural solar and biomass), Japan (solar PV), Spain (wind) and the United States.
Is renewable energy reliable? Yes! - Today's commercial renewable energy technology is mature and reliable. Some sources, such as hydro, biomass and geothermal energy, are controllable. Others, like wind and solar, cannot be controlled. A stable energy supply can be maintained by using a range of renewable sources.
Is renewable energy affordable? Yes - The cost of renewable energy varies depending on the source. Currently, the cheapest renewable energy sources, like wind and bio-energy, are more expensive than coal and gas but cheaper than low-emission coal and nuclear power. However the key advantage of renewable energy is that it is pollution and waste free. When we factor in the cost of pollution and waste, renewable energy sources are significantly lower in cost than coal and nuclear.
Is Australia doing enough to encourage renewable energy take-up? - No! Currently, renewable energy accounts for 8% of Australia's electricity generation . By 2010 renewable electricity will be around 10.5% and, under current policies, will remain at this level until 2020 . Other countries have taken much stronger steps to promote renewable energy . For example, Germany has a 12% renewables target by 2010, Spain has a 29% target by 2010 and the United Kingdom is aiming for 20% renewable energy use by 2020.
Australia should be striving for a renewable energy target of at least 25% by 2030 to reduce emissions, promote new industries and reduce the cost of renewable energy for consumers.
WWF-Australia's Clean Energy Future for Australia study outlines how Australia can reduce its emissions from the electricity sector while still meeting demand through a combination of wind, biomass, natural gas and improved energy efficiency. WWF has also produced state-specific Clean Energy Future reports for NSW, Queensland, Victoria and Western Australia.
Offset
Individuals, businesses or governments can 'offset' the emissions produced from electricity generation and transport by investing in projects that will lead to the prevention of carbon dioxide from entering the atmosphere (for example, building renewable energy power stations to reduce the amount of energy required from a coal plant).
WWF has chosen Climate Friendly as its offset provider because it is the only Australian provider of Gold Standard offsets.
Ratify Kyoto
Effective international co-operation is essential to prevent dangerous climate change.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and its Kyoto Protocol form the primary international response to the climate change threat.
The Kyoto Protocol provides differentiated pathways for developed and developing countries, and also between developed countries.
In its first stage, Kyoto only involves developed countries because they are responsible for the majority of emissions to date and can afford the technology to make significant cuts.
Australia and the USA are the only two developed nations not to have ratified the Kyoto Protocol. This is delaying meaningful international action on climate change.
Australia must ratify the Kyoto Protocol.
