Today the Morrison Government has released the December 2018 Quarterly Update of Australia's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory. The report shows that emissions per capita and the emissions intensity of the economy were at their lowest levels in 29 years in the year to December 2018.
Emissions per capita in the year to December 2018 have fallen 38.2 per cent since 1990, while the emissions intensity of the economy has fallen 61.4 per cent.
The report shows national emissions were 14.2 per cent below the peak recorded in the year to June 2007 and 11.9% below emissions in 2005 (the baseline year for the Paris agreement).
In the year to December 2018, emissions rose 3.5 Mt CO2-e, up 0.7 per cent on the previous year.
Strong growth in Australia's emissions intensive traded commodities more than accounted for this outcome, including growth in LNG exports (3.5 Mt CO2-e), steel production and aluminium exports (0.9 MT CO2-e).
Australia's total LNG exports have the potential to lower emissions in importing countries by around 148 Mt CO2-e in 2018 by displacing coal consumption in those countries.
While emissions increases from the rapid growth of LNG exports are included in Australia's emissions in the report, the success of this industry means that it has potentially reduced global emissions by up to 27% of Australia's annual emissions in the year to December 2018.
This is a substantial global contribution to be proud of. The Morrison Government is not going to trash successful Australian export industries that are reducing global emissions, in order to reduce Australian emissions.
Electricity sector emissions are down by 6.5 Mt CO2-e, or 3.5 per cent, in the year to December 2018, which reflects a decrease in demand in the National Electricity Market and fuel switching flowing from a 31.1 per cent or 7.9 TWh increase in renewable generation in the year to December 2018.
The Morrison Government's $3.5 billion Climate Solutions Package is our fully costed plan to deliver on our 2030 emission reduction commitments. We have mapped out, to the last tonne, how we will achieve the 328 million tonnes of abatement needed to meet our Paris 2030 target.
Our national target is achievable, balanced and responsible. We will meet our international commitments while keeping power prices down, keeping the lights on, and keeping our economy strong.
Download the report: https://www.environment.gov.au/climate-change/climate-science-data/greenhouse-gas-measurement/publications/quarterly-update-australias-nggi-dec-2018
