A prosperous low carbon future
This action plan sets out policies and measures to affordably reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 1990 levels by 2030.
In 2030, the Australian population is expected to have grown to almost 25 million with real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) anticipated to be two and a half times greater than it is now (a near doubling of per person GDP). Under a high emissions scenario based on Australian Government projections and without further policy action, greenhouse gas emissions are expected to grow by some 45%.
However, with priority action, emissions can be dramatically reduced using existing cost-effective efficiency measures coupled with existing (or rapidly emerging) low emission technologies, and without major structural shifts in the economy away from energy intensive industries.
This action plan seeks greenhouse gas abatement opportunities across all sectors of the economy, but relies on two key elements:
- Postponing the need for new electricity generation capacity through comprehensive efficiency improvements in the residential, commercial and industrial sectors using existing cost-effective technologies – this could postpone the need for new capacity by a decade or more.
- Ensuring all new electricity generators use existing or rapidly emerging low emission technologies – if anticipated trends are realised for solar thermal, geothermal, advanced coal technologies and carbon capture and storage, a number of low emission technologies suitable for base load are likely to emerge within the next decade.
The references, assumptions and explanatory notes that support the report are documented separately.
