18 May, 2017
Energy and mining sectors emit 80 per cent of the state’s carbon pollution, and their emissions are still climbing
Sector-by-sector pollution data released today by the federal Clean Energy Regulator reveals mining and coal-and-gas power stations emit more than 80 per cent of NSW’s carbon pollution. [1]
“The figures also show emissions from these dirty sectors are increasing,” Nature Conservation Council CEO Kate Smolski said.
“It’s time to take climate pollution seriously. Nobody wants more heatwaves, floods, bleached corals and shrinking snow seasons.”
“This demonstrates the hopeless failure of state and federal governments to address this problem, and underlines the urgent need for the state government to develop plans for rapidly ramping up renewables investment and for the orderly closure of the state’s coal-fired power stations.
“Our outdated electricity system is damaging the climate far more than any other sector in NSW.”
Pollution from the electricity and utilities sector during the reporting period (2014-15 to 2015-16) rose 6% to 53 million tonnes, accounting for about 60 per cent of reported emissions.
92% of this came from the big five coal-fired power stations: Liddell, Bayswater, Eraring and Vales Point in the Hunter and Central Coast regions; and Mount Piper near Lithgow.
Climate pollution from mining comes in second, with an additional 21.4% of reported emissions. Mining emissions remained steady during the two reporting periods (2014-15 to 2015-16) at 19 million tonnes.
“Together, these two sectors account for 80 per cent of the problem,” Ms Smolski said.
“It’s clear a transition from coal and gas to clean energy must be a top priority for NSW.
“With only 7% of electricity in NSW coming from wind and solar, we lag well behind other states.
“People are looking to the Berejiklian government to turbo-charge the switch from a dirty polluting coal to a safe, secure and sustainable electricity system.”
Ms Smolski said the government must slash carbon pollution, increase the reliability of our power supply, and promote jobs by:
- Setting enforceable targets to source 50% of NSW’s electricity from renewables by 2025 and 100% by 2030.
- Planning for the quick, orderly closure of antiquated coal-fired power stations, ensuring the transition is fair for power-station workers and communities.
- Creating incentives for storage technologies like batteries and pumped hydro to make our electricity grid more stable and reliable.
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ANZSIC Division
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Scope 1 Emissions (tCO2-e) (NSW) 2014/15
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Scope 1 Emissions (tCO2-e) (NSW) 2015/16
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Year-on-year rise (%)
|
Fraction of total (%)
|
|
ACCOMMODATION AND FOOD SERVICES
|
27,701
|
24,426
|
-12%
|
0.0%
|
|
ADMINISTRATIVE AND SUPPORT SERVICES
|
9,321
|
10,962
|
18%
|
0.0%
|
|
EDUCATION AND TRAINING
|
40,676
|
40,530
|
0%
|
0.0%
|
|
AGRICULTURE, FORESTRY AND FISHING
|
127,532
|
135,939
|
7%
|
0.2%
|
|
TRANSPORT, POSTAL AND WAREHOUSING
|
3,671,100
|
3,668,753
|
0%
|
4.1%
|
|
FINANCIAL AND INSURANCE SERVICES
|
13,829
|
11,107
|
-20%
|
0.0%
|
|
MANUFACTURING
|
12,116,481
|
12,384,730
|
2%
|
13.9%
|
|
WHOLESALE TRADE
|
71,315
|
84,407
|
18%
|
0.1%
|
|
INFORMATION MEDIA AND TELECOMMUNICATIONS
|
9,709
|
15,749
|
62%
|
0.0%
|
|
CONSTRUCTION
|
177,868
|
182,745
|
3%
|
0.2%
|
|
MINING
|
18,821,760
|
19,003,012
|
1%
|
21.4%
|
|
PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES
|
8,899
|
16,940
|
90%
|
0.0%
|
|
ARTS AND RECREATION SERVICES
|
withheld
|
withheld
|
|
|
|
PUBLIC ADMINISTRATION AND SAFETY
|
withheld
|
withheld
|
|
|
|
ELECTRICITY, GAS, WATER AND WASTE SERVICES
|
49,976,177
|
52,978,005
|
6%
|
59.6%
|
|
RETAIL TRADE
|
195,932
|
withheld
|
|
|
|
HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE
|
36,037
|
36,421
|
1%
|
0.0%
|
|
OTHER SERVICES
|
21,052
|
21,069
|
0%
|
0.0%
|
|
RENTAL HIRING AND REAL ESTATE SERVICES
|
51,977
|
51,058
|
-2%
|
0.1%
|
|
Total of withheld items
|
38,716
|
288,593
|
645%
|
0.3%
|
|
Total
|
85,416,082
|
88,954,446
|
4%
|
100.0%
|
REFERENCES
[1] www.cleanenergyregulator.gov.au/NGER/National%20greenhouse%20and%20energy%20reporting%20data/a-closer-look-at-emissions-and-energy-data/australia%E2%80%99s-scope-1-emissions-by-industry-for-nger-reporters
Tags
Climate and energy
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