September 2022
The latest emissions figures show just how far Australia has to go
Counting land use might make things look better, but it is a fake picture of Australia’s emissions
May 2021
EVs Key to Fuel Security & Emissions Reduction: National Energy Emissions Audit
New research by the Australia Institute shows Australia’s dependence on petroleum poses a serious fuel security risk and, with no policies in place to seriously curb petroleum use, the sector’s emissions will eclipse electricity sector emissions by 2030. The report recommends developing and implementing policies to replace petrol-fuelled vehicles with low emission alternatives. The Australia
February 2021
Rebounding Transport & Agriculture Sectors will Cause Emissions to Soar
As Covid travel restrictions ease and Australia’s agriculture sector rebounds from years of crippling drought, new research from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program shows that the recoveries of the Transport and Agriculture sectors will cause Australia’s emissions rise significantly—reversing emissions reductions made in 2020 and setting Australia’s emissions back to pre-2018 heights. The
December 2020
Transport Emissions Returning to Pre-Covid Highs
New research from the Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program shows that while the COVID pandemic provided a brief respite from some fossil fuel emissions, in sectors like transport—which lacks any climate-abatement policy—emissions are quickly rising back to pre-pandemic heights. The Australia Institute’s analysis indicates that returning to business as usual post-pandemic will not be
November 2020
Renewables reducing energy emissions more than pandemic
A record high share of renewables in August and September 2020 has led to a record low for fossil fuel generation, which over the year has impacted national emissions more than the response to the Covid-19 pandemic. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National Energy Emissions Audit analysing the electricity
September 2020
QLD & NSW could see early coal retirements
Victoria and South Australia are leading Australia’s transition to renewables, with renewable energy capacity at 33%, almost twice that of Queensland and New South Wales at 16% capacity, however new research shows the northern states are ramping up new renewables. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program’s latest National Energy Emissions Audit reveals New South
June 2020
Dramatic Fall in Petroleum Emissions: National Energy Emissions Audit
New research shows that Australia’s pandemic response has reduced transport emissions by over 3,000,000 tonnes (3 Mt CO2-e), due to an unprecedented drop in the consumption of petroleum fuels during April—falling by 77% for domestic aviation, and a combined 36% drop for petrol, LPG and retail diesel. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has
VIC Gas Emissions Soar to Highest in Decade
While the coronavirus pandemic has reduced energy consumption in sectors such as transport and aviation, new research shows that in Victoria gas use during April was higher than in any of the preceding ten years, resulting in about 200 thousand tonnes more emissions. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National
May 2020
Pandemic Response Impact on Electricity Emissions Minimal: National Energy Emissions Audit
While the COVID-19 pandemic response has led to massively reduced emissions by the transport sector, new research shows the same cannot be said for the electricity sector—which has only seen a slight decrease in emissions over the past month—confirming the need for strong structural and legislative reforms to reduce emissions in the electricity sector. The
February 2020
No Case for More Gas: National Energy Emission Audit
New research shows there is no strong case for building more gas generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM), as the existing fleet of gas power stations are operating below capacity and planning by the Energy Market Operator shows gas generation is likely to decline in coming years. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program
December 2019
South Australia Benefits from Renewables Boom: Best Electricity Prices in NEM
New research shows South Australia is cashing in from the state’s renewables boom, with monthly average wholesale prices in SA to be the lowest of all five state regions in the National Electricity Market (NEM) for the last two months. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National Energy Emissions Audit,
November 2019
Victorian Coal-Fired Power Generation at Record Low
New research shows that coal-fired electricity generation is on the decline across the National Electricity Market (NEM), particularly in Victoria where the continued shut down of the Loy Yang A power station has put Victorian coal generation levels at their lowest since the National Energy Market commenced 21 years ago. The Australia Institute Climate &
Rise in Diesel Cancels Out Electricity Emissions Reduction
New research shows that an increase in diesel combustion emissions during FY11 to FY18 almost completely cancels out the decrease in emissions from electricity generation in the National Electricity Market (NEM) over the same period. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released their latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over
September 2019
Emissions High, Productivity Low: National Energy Emissions Audit
New research shows Australia is not on track to meet the aims of the National Energy Productivity Plan (NEPP), warning that poor energy productivity is a major cause of both rising emissions and energy costs. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over
August 2019
South Australia: World Leader in Renewables and Energy Market Transition
New research shows South Australia’s success in managing the electricity grid while simultaneously bringing a large volume of renewables into the energy mix, has positioned the state as a world leader in managing renewables transitions The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit, analysing the electricity sector over
July 2019
Lack of Government Backing Stifles Australia’s Renewables Transition
As states compete for top-place in renewable energy generation and upgrades to the National Electricity Market (NEM) reach growth rates comparable to the development of Australia’s original electricity grids, Australia’s transition to renewables needs more planning and support from Governments. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit,
Gas & coal extraction dominates Australia’s rising emissions
New research has revealed that despite Minister Angus Taylor’s claims that Australia’s total emissions are going down, Australia’s total emissions in the past year are likely to have increased, with Australia’s gas and coal industries the significant drivers of those rising emissions. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy
May 2019
Renewables key to Australia’s energy future
New research shows that ongoing investment in renewable energy generation by companies and households continues to reduce Australia’s electricity sector emissions, even without adequate national climate and energy policy. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit for the electricity sector, analysing the electricity sector over the previous
April 2019
Solar surges as large-scale rooftop takes off
New research shows that medium to large rooftop solar systems are taking off, contributing with other solar and wind energy to the jump from 10% to 15% of the energy supplied to the grid over the last year. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit (The Audit)
March 2019
Rooftops providing more than shelter with record solar contribution
New research shows that rooftop solar continues to climb and is now generating over 4% of the total electricity however it can’t shield us from rising national emissions especially in the transport sector, which continues unfettered by any federal or state government limits. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National
February 2019
Renewables outperformed coal in summer of unprecedented heatwaves
The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit for the electricity sector (The Audit*) covering the month of January 2019. The Audit shows that renewables now account for 20% of total generation in the National Energy Market (NEM) — a share that that is certain to continue growing
December 2018
Emissions claims get third-degree
Despite some improvement in electricity sector emissions, new research from The Australia Institute shows there is no doubt that national greenhouse gas emissions are in fact climbing, confirming a 26% emissions reduction target for the electricity sector is not high enough. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the December National Energy Emissions
November 2018
Renewables out-compete gas generation: National Energy Emissions Audit
Renewable generation in the National Energy Market (NEM) has reached a new record high, with all new energy generation over the last two months due to eight new solar farms coming online in the NEM, latest findings from the National Energy Emissions Audit show. The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the November
LNG and Transport Lead Growth in Australian Emissions: National Energy Emissions Audit
The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit for the electricity sector (The Audit*) covering September 2018. The Audit shows that Australia’s emissions continue to increase, being driven by growing LNG exports, greater diesel use in transport and increases in agriculture and waste emissions Key findings: LNG exports
September 2018
Renewables single-handedly pushing down prices in NEM
The Australia Institute’s Climate and Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit electricity update (The Audit*) for September 2018. The Audit shows the new surge of renewable generation coming online are the only thing currently helping reduce energy prices – with renewables now making up a record breaking 19.7% of the National
August 2018
Current NEG ‘investment cliff’ for renewables
The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit electricity update (The Audit*) for July 2018. The Audit shows that current NEG modelling will effectively create an investment cliff for the otherwise booming renewables sector, with no investment in further renewable energy generation after 2021. Key findings show: Renewables
Current NEG ineffective and expensive band-aid
The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released a special update of their National Energy Emissions Audit, assessing the value and effectiveness of the current NEG using figures from the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO). The Audit update shows multiple scenarios in which much larger emission reductions and levels of renewable energy generation can
July 2018
NEG means 4% target for electricity emissions
The Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program has released the latest National Energy Emissions Audit electricity update (The Audit*) for July 2018. The Audit shows current policies will reduce National Electricity Market (NEM) emissions to 22% below 2005 levels in 2019-20, effectively meaning electricity sector has an emissions reduction target of only 4% to 2030. Key findings
June 2018
Diesel fuelled emissions: National Energy Emissions Audit
The quarterly edition of the National Energy Emissions Audit, released today by The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy Program, shows Australian transport emissions are ramping up thanks to a significant increase in diesel usage. Key Findings: Transport sector emissions are rising due to a significant increase in diesel usage and this almost cancels out all
November 2017
NEM in transition while South Australian wind and rooftop solar throw down challenge to NEG
The Australia Institute’s Climate & Energy program has released the latest electricity update of its National Energy Emissions Audit, covering October and November. Written by respected energy analyst Hugh Saddler, the Audit shows that Australia’s energy system is in transition, regardless of the political turmoil the change is creating. [Full report] “Brown coal generation continues
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