Overshadowed by a leadership change last week, believe it or not but the Federal Parliament has united to deliver sweeping reforms which will drive Australia’s renewable energy target of 20 per cent of stationary generation by 2020, which pleases the Clean Energy Council and investors in this sector. But around the same time Melbourne based Beyond Zero Emissions has tabled The Zero Carbon Australia report which provides a detailed blueprint for transitioning Australia’s stationary energy sector to 100% renewable energy sources by 2020.

Clean Energy Council (24 June 2010)

NATIONAL: The Federal Parliament has united to deliver sweeping reforms which will drive Australia’s renewable energy target of 20 per cent of stationary generation by 2020.

The passage of the Gillard government’s enhanced Renewable Energy Target (eRET) legislation today marks the biggest climate change reform in Australia’s history with the support and input from the coalition, the Greens and independent Senator Nick Xenophon.

Clean Energy Council Chief Executive Matthew Warren said the welcome reforms would unlock more than $20 billion in investment in major generation projects while creating a stable growth path for household scale technologies like solar hot water and solar PV panels.

“It is rewarding to see all sides of politics come together to deliver and enhance these important reforms that will underpin the creation of a world-class Australian clean energy industry this century,” he said.

“This completes a first important step forward in decarbonising energy in Australia.  It’s now important for the industry get on with the job.” 

Source: www.cleanenergycouncil.org.au

Beyond Zero emissions

MELBOURNE – On Tuesday June 22, climate change solutions research group Beyond Zero Emissions launched the Zero Carbon Australia – Stationary Energy report at the Australian Parliament in Canberra. 

The Zero Carbon Australia report provides a detailed blueprint for transitioning Australia’s stationary energy sector to 100% renewable energy sources by 2020. The report shows that Australia can replace fossil fuel baseload electricity using renewable energy technology that is available today, with the additional investment required equal to about one cup of coffee per person per day. 

Next monthly discussion: 6.00pm Wednesday 14 July Melbourne Energy Institute event featuring the Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan.

“BZE’s Zero Carbon Australia is an extraordinary and pragmatic roadmap to a new and more sustainable energy system for Australia, and ultimately our region, and I recommend it to all who are truly interested in securing Australia’s energy future.”
Professor Mike Sandiford
Professor of Geology, Director of the Melbourne Energy Institute,
The University of Melbourne

“The chips are down – there is no longer any doubt about our need to rapidly transition to a zero emission economy.  The fate of Australia and the world depend on it.  The Zero Carbon Australia strategy being launched by Beyond Zero Emissions provides the roadmap to the solutions. Let’s hope it is adopted by responsible governments everywhere.”
Professor Ove Hoegh-Goldberg
Director, Global Change Institute
The University of Queensland

“The Zero Carbon Australia 2020 plan shows that it is technically feasible and affordable to replace all fossil fuel electricity with 100% renewable energy given the willpower and commitment to do so. This is a cutting-edge science-based plan that should be read by every energy decision maker and politician in Australia.”
Mark Z. Jacobson
Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Professor by Courtesy of Energy Resources Engineering
Director, Atmosphere/Energy Program
Stanford University, USA

“Every nation in the world should make a plan like this.  If one can get a 100% renewable, zero carbon electricity system by investing 3% of GDP (and 10% of gross investment) for ten years, there is no good reason not to do it. Except, maybe, the straitjacket of old ways of thinking and doing.

Australia could be the first large economy to show the way.”
John O. Blackburn
Professor Emeritus of Economics
Duke University, USA

“That Australia enjoys an abundance of renewable energy resources is beyond question. The Zero Carbon Australia 2020 plan demonstrates that it is both technically feasible and economically affordable for Australia to realise the benefit of these resources and transition to a 100% renewable energy future. Australian politicians and decision makers with the vision and commitment to embrace this new path have the opportunity to play an important role in leading Australia to a sustainable low carbon future.”
Sharon Mascher
Associate Professor
Centre for Mining, Energy and Resources Law
University of Western Australia

Source: www.beyondzeroemissions.org