Clean Energy Council
23 May 2008
The Clean Energy Council today offered its continued strong support for the federal government's 20% by 2020 renewable energy target in response to the Productivity Commission's submission to the Garnaut Review. Council CEO, Rosemary Warnock, said that it's right for Australia to adopt the global standard for climate change policy. A designated market for clean energy is an essential complement to an effective Emissions Trading Scheme.
"A renewable energy target is the proven best way to provide both investor certainty and a competitive market for clean energy – ensuring immediate deployment and a sustainable, cost effective climate change strategy for the long term," she said.
Stationary energy is responsible for 50% of Australia's emissions. Therefore any climate change solution must target the energy sector specifically. Estimates from the Clean Energy Council indicate that the 20% renewable energy target will create $20 billion worth of new investment and around 50,000 jobs from now until 2020, particularly in regional areas. The market-driven measure allows all zero-emission energy sources to compete including wind, solar, biomass and geothermal.
"Australia's clean energy industry is ready right now to meet the target and substantially reduce our greenhouse gas emissions", said Ms Warnock. The government has continued to support renewable energy targets since Prime Minister Rudd formally announced the policy during the UNFCCC talks in Bali last year. The industry will work closely with the Commonwealth to deliver this policy.
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