The Garnaut Climate Change Review

We recently discussed Professor Garnaut’s report on what climate change will mean for Australia: the so called Aussie Stern Report, alluding to the one handed down in the UK during 2006. At the time we neglected to point you to the Garnaut Climate Change Review website, where recently an Issues paper on Transport, Planning and the Built Environment was posted.

Fuel use in transport accounted for 14% of Australia’s emissions in 2005, and is projected increase by 67% over 1990 levels by 2020. Around 80% of Australian adults used a private car to commute to work in 2006 , with emissions from cars creating 54% of Australia’s total domestic transport emissions, and increasing by 40% between 1990 and 2020. The stats for buildings are just as sobering.

The Centre for International Economics estimates that buildings are responsible for around 23% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions. That’s a figure which doesn’t even factor in emissions from the construction, renovation and demolition of buildings, and non-CO2 emissions such as refrigerants.

Such information is being coupled with community and industry feedback to help
“examine the impacts of climate change on the Australian economy, and recommend medium to long-term policies and policy frameworks to improve the prospects for sustainable prosperity.”

A draft report is due 30 June 2008, with the final being completed by 30 September 2008. ::Garnaut Climate Change Review, via site visit.