New standards on energy efficiency

Australian
Friday 3/7/2009 Page: 5

INEFFICIENT hot water systems will be phased out and all appliances will be properly labelled under new national energy efficiency standards as part of a 10-year energy efficiency plan adopted by the Council of Australian Governments yesterday. And state and territory leaders have also agreed to streamline and harmonise processes for building applications to reduce red tape and costs for developers.

While much of the focus at COAG was on indigenous affairs yesterday, the leaders continued with a rolling agenda of other reforms, including energy efficiency measures that they expect will make a significant impact on carbon emissions. Measures to improve the energy efficiency of appliances are expected to reduce emissions by the same amount as would be achieved by removing 4.8 million cars from the nations roads.

The changes will include national legislation for improved labelling and energy ratings as well as a major push to begin next year to phase inefficient electric hot water systems. From next year, all new homes and commercial buildings will have to meet energy rating standards. COAG also agreed to accelerate the phase-out of inefficient lighting, beginning with a ban on incandescent light globes to start in November.

Kevin Rudd said last night that energy efficiency was the "low hanging fruit" of greenhouse gas abatement, with analysis from the International Energy Agency indicating cost-effective energy efficiency improvements could provide savings equivalent to one fifth of projected global energy related emissions in 2030.

"Through the combination of incentives, consumer and business education and carefully targeted regulation, the National Strategy on Energy Efficiency will fundamentally change the policy settings for energy efficiency across Australia," the Prime Minister said.

Mr Rudd said the premiers had agreed to continue their program of micro-economic reforms designed to create a seamless economy in which it would be easier and cheaper for businesses to operate across the nation. The leaders agreed to create a single system of development assessment processes covering all three levels of government, with major nation-building programs to be dealt with by one coordinator who would address all approval requirements. Building codes will be harmonised, with the states agreeing to measure their performance to ensure better approval times.

In a further change to make shipping more efficient, the Australian Maritime Authority will become the single regulator for all maritime safety. At present, it is responsible only for interstate shipping movements. The leaders also agreed to improve efficiency in the trucking industry by creating a single national heavy vehicle regulator responsible for inspection standards, safe driving hours, mass limits and registration.