• 
• Carbopedia
• Australia's Climate Change Approach
• South Australia

South Australia

• Emissions trading scheme time line

  • 

• Kyoto Protocol and Australian Govt Emissions Targets

  • 

• Australia's Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme Summary in PDF Format

Impacts and Costs

Climate Change South Australia Web Site

• Over the last 50 years, South Australia has experienced marked drying throughout many of its agricultural districts.
• Uncontrolled climate change will put at risk a large part of the State's agricultural production, valued at $3.6 billion in 2006-07.
• Reduced rainfall and water availability could also affect the State's iconic winegrowing regions. In 2006-07 South Australia's grape production was valued at $430 million, contributing 38% of total Australian grape production
• More than 60,000 buildings along the State's coast are likely to be at risk from sea-level rise, coastal flooding and erosion.
• As the number of very hot days (above 35oC) increases more people are vulnerable to heat-related illnesses and death, particularly the elderly.
• In March 2008, Adelaide experienced 15 consecutive days of 35°C or above and 13 consecutive days of 37.8°C or above, almost doubling previous records and setting new records for any Australian capital city.
• The average number of very hot days in Adelaide could increase to 21 - 26 by 2030.
• Indigenous people living in remote communities are at increased risk with the number of Aboriginal children being admitted to hospital with diarrhoea likely to increase by 10% by 2050.
• Many parts of Australia are already struggling through crippling drought, and with climate change such events will become longer and more severe.
• Increases in temperatures, particularly in the summer months will increase energy demand.
• Uncontrolled climate change will worsen the current water supply crisis in the Murray- Darling Basin. The Basin generates around $23 billion in economic output, around $10 billion of which is from agriculture.
• As well as the impacts on its agricultural industries, Adelaide relies on the Basin for its domestic water supply and for up to 90% of water for manufacturing (an industry which generates $12 billion a year).

Regulatory Landscape

Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Act 2007

It is anticipated that:

• Additional mandatory reporting will be introduced (as soon as 2010) to major businesses operating in South Australia.
• In line with SA's Strategic Plan, greenhouse gas emissions will be need to be reduced by at least 60% by 2050.
• Aggressive hard-hitting emission reduction targets will be progressively imposed on business over the coming years.
• Industry will also embrace renewable energy and increase usage to 20% by 2014.
• South Australia is committed to establish a national emissions trading scheme no later than 2010.

The legislation sets out three targets:

• To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% by 2050
• To increase the proportion of renewable electricity by 20% by 2014
• To increase the proportion of renewable electricity consumed by the same amount.

The South Australia's Strategic Plan (2007) committed the State to:

• Meet the Kyoto target (108% of 1990 levels) by 2012
• Increase the use of public transport to 10% by 2018
• Reduce South Australia's ecological footprint by 30% by 2050
• Improve the energy efficiency of government buildings by 25% by 2014
• Increase the energy efficiency of dwellings by 10% by 2014
• Reduce total emissions from state government operations by 60% by 30 June 2020
• Purchase a minimum of 20% Green Power by 1 January 2008
• Energy efficiency requirements for new housing (5 Star homes)
• Convert 50% of state government cars to more environmentally friendly fuels by 2010
• Feed-In Scheme for Small-Scale Solar Photovoltaic Installations