Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
companies involved in producing emissions using these fuels for producing
emissions using those fuels for energy).
While Australia's domestic greenhouse emissions represent some 1.3 per cent
of the global total, its global carbon footprint - the total amount of emissions
it contributes to the global economy - is much bigger. Australia is the world's
second largest coal exporter by volume (EIA, 2010/2011; WCA, 2013). 5 When
emissions embodied in Australian coal exports 6 are added to its domestic green-
house emissions, Australia's greenhouse footprint increases to 3.5 per cent of
global emissions. Australian coal exports alone now contribute at least another
2.2 per cent of global emissions. In aggregate, therefore, Australia is currently
the source of in excess of 4 per cent of total global emissions once emissions
embodied in natural gas exports are added.
When its present domestic and exported emissions are combined, Australia
ranks as the planet's sixth largest emitter of CO 2 , after China, the USA, the
Russian Federation, India and Indonesia. 7 It is responsible directly and indirectly
for well over a billion tonnes of CO 2 per year. If planned and projected increases
in Australian coal and gas exports are realized, its carbon footprint will more
than double by 2030. A third of its domestic emissions growth over this period
would come from the production of fossil fuels for export. Australia would be
directly and indirectly responsible for over two billion tonnes of exported green-
house emissions per year.
This 'trade-adjusted' reframing of Australia's emissions profile makes it clear
that the global benefits of Australia's domestic greenhouse mitigation policy
are overwhelmed by the negative effects of its energy export policy. Australia
sees itself as an energy superpower, a view based on its bountiful resources and
growing exports of fossil fuels and uranium, and expressed in national energy
policy settings that have been constant across governments of different political
persuasions over recent decades (see Commonwealth of Australia, 2004; 2012).
As Australia derives significant additional economic benefit from its trade in
fossil fuels, it owes an additional responsibility for contributing to mitigation and
international adaptation funding of vulnerable developing nations.
Technological opportunity
Two decades ago there was little confidence in renewable energy technologies
providing a cheap replacement for fossil fuels. The recent, rapid and accelerating
uptake of renewable energy now points to the existence of viable alternatives.
Globally, total renewable sources now supply 16.7 per cent of global final energy
consumption. 'Modern renewables' - of which the most important renewable
energy sources, in terms of globally installed capacity, are hydropower, wind
power and then solar photovoltaics - comprise about half of this amount
(REN21, 2012: 13). Renewables accounted for almost half of the power gener-
ation capacity added globally in 2011 and by the end of 2011, renewable power
capacity worldwide supplied an estimated 20.3 per cent of global electricity
(REN21, passim). 8 For all that, the rate of uptake remains, in the words of the
 
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