ENERGY
Introduction
Energy use is both a product of human culture and a major factor in environmental change. Changes resulting from the conversion of energy, particularly those resulting from the conversion of fossil fuels, are highly detrimental in that they are contributing to:
a) the disruption of the earth's ecosystems and its non-human energy flows,
b) the reduction of the earth's biodiversity, productivity and sustainability,
c) climate change,
d) the increase in consumption to unsustainable levels,
e) issues of human and non-human health and welfare.
The current trends are unsustainable. Fossil fuels are by definition finite. Indeed there are indications that oil production will peak in the near future if it hasn't already done so.
A multi faceted, disciplined approach to the problem is needed. This involves using energy more efficiently, switching from non-renewable to renewable energy sources, using a range of mechanisms to achieve the necessary change, and avoiding adverse effects.
This statement is intended to provide a basic framework for ACF's energy policy. More detailed aspects are or will be covered in other statements.
Policy
Reducing the use of energy
1. ACF believes that to achieve ecologically sustainable societies there needs to be a reduction in overall energy use, a reduction in the development and use of fossil fuel energy, and the elimination of nuclear energy.
2. ACF believes this reduction, and the avoidance of some adverse effects, can be achieved by greater efficiencies in the development and use of other energy sources, and higher levels of reuse and recycling of products.
Substituting renewable for non-renewable sources of energy
3. ACF supports the phasing out of the use of non-renewable energy sources and their replacement with energy from renewable sources as long as their use involves no significant adverse environmental effects.
4. ACF recognises that there are social and economic benefits associated with a transition to a sustainable energy future.
5. ACF supports the provision of assistance to ensure a just transition to a sustainable energy future given that this may lead to significant restructuring of some industries and communities.
Achieving the necessary changes
6. ACF supports the use of a range of mechanisms to achieve the necessary changes, including structural, institutional and individual changes.
7. ACF supports the phasing out of Australia's involvement in trade in fossil fuels.
8. ACF envisages Australia's transition to a sustainable energy future acting as a model for the rest of the world.
Opposing the adverse effects of energy use
9. ACF is committed to acting to avoid the adverse effects of energy use and energy development projects. 'ACF is opposed to new coal and oil shale projects, to any increase in total greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel powered power stations, to nuclear powered power stations, and to renewable energy projects that have significant negative environmental impacts (e.g. the use of woodchips or timber from native forest for electricity or charcoal production). It is also opposed to the conversion of native forest or woodlands to plantations for bioenergy projects preferring that these be located on cleared land.
Supporting Statement
Reduction in use
1. Australia has substantial reserves of fossil fuels (black and brown coal, natural gas, oil shales) and uranium. Conventional oil is the only significant energy source in which Australia is not self-sufficient. Changes in approach to energy in Australia cannot be based on the limits of resources argument only, but must also be based on the unacceptable environmental impacts of its continued and increasing use.
2. In 1997-98, direct energy consumption by the various sectors was electricity generation 28%, transport 25%, manufacturing 25%, residential 8%, mining 5%, commercial 4%, agriculture 1% and construction 1%. Reform in energy usage must address all sectors simultaneously.
3. Achievement of the goal of sustainable societies and a sustainable planet is not possible if the increase in energy use continues to grow at the present exponential rates. A strategy is needed to bring about reductions in total demand and switch from non-renewable to renewable energy sources that involve no significant adverse environmental effects.
4. Australia needs to develop such a strategy for the nation that will also take into account how we can best contribute to the global energy problem. Such a strategy should address how we can reduce per capita energy consumption, reduce greenhouse gases to zero and achieve world best practice standards. Australia should be assisted to develop and transfer these renewable energy technologies to the world.
5. Energy resource use can be significantly reduced by increasing the efficiency of energy use, both through conservation and technological improvements and substantial changes in social and industrial practices. Reuse, recovery and recycling of products contribute to a lessening of primary energy use. Other energy efficiency gains come from practices such as better design of buildings to improve heating, insulation, cooling and fire protection, the use of more efficient machines and appliances, use of alternative fuels, and co-generation.
Substitution of renewable for non-renewable sources of energy.
6. Non-renewable energy resources cannot support a sustainable society. The ACF believes that we need a program to phase out Australia's reliance on fossil fuels. Our climate is conducive to the expansion of solar and wind power and there are significant opportunities in the use of biomass/fuels, geothermal and other renewable energy sources.
7. The use of less polluting fuels (such as near-zero emission coal, LPG or natural gas) to replace more polluting fuels (such as conventional coal and petroleum), and also the use of mitigating technologies such as geosequestration, are only acceptable in the context of a clear transitional strategy which leads to reduced energy consumption, reliance on renewable energies, and is otherwise acceptable in terms of environmental effects.
Achieving the necessary changes
8. A range of policy tools is available to assist in the transition to a sustainable energy future: these include direct regulation, a suite of market-based mechanisms, and education. The ACF supports the use of each of these tools in combination. In achieving this transition, attention must be paid to the social justice implications of its implementation.
9. Price distortions in current energy markets make it difficult for energy efficiency measures and renewable energy to achieve their full potential. The failure to price the full cost of the environmental impact of fossil fuels and nuclear energy, and large subsidies to the fossil fuel industry means that carbon-based fuels are significantly under-priced. The failure to achieve a real price for these energy sources means that renewable energy is less competitive than fossil fuel based energy. Widespread ignorance of the potential for renewable energy to meet environmental, economic and social objectives is another significant factor in slowing its uptake.
10. The social justice issues associated with the different rates of energy use in the developed and developing world cannot be ignored. On a per capita basis people in the developed world use vast amounts of energy across the world. Meanwhile there are some 2 billion people who live without access to electricity. Developed countries need to reduce energy consumption significantly and assist developing countries to meet their energy needs in a sustainable way.
11. These hurdles to sustainability can be overcome but a number of policy interventions are required. These include:
* the effective use of carbon emissions markets and taxes to create a real price for carbon, legally binding international and national targets for greenhouse emissions reduction,
* financial incentives for improvements in energy efficiency and conservation,
* removal of subsidies to the fossil fuel and nuclear industries, increased emphasis by policy makers on encouraging renewable energy in developing countries,
* ratification of the Kyoto Protocol,
* awareness raising to dispel myths about the ability of renewable energy to deliver large societal benefits,
* public participation and ownership in renewable energy programs,
* urban planning to reduce energy needs,
* building standards and high industry standards to ensure investor confidence and to overcome potential sources of opposition such as noise and visual impact, and
* significant assistance to developing countries to enable them to quickly develop post-carbon economies.
Opposing adverse effects of energy use
12. ACF has a long history of concern and involvement with the adverse effects of energy conversion projects. ACF has opposed:
* drilling for oil on the Great Barrier Reef and other marine areas;
* exploration, prospecting and mining in Antarctica;
* hydro-electric power projects in several states;
* natural gas and coal fired power stations;
* mining in national parks;
* mining and export of nuclear fuels (such as yellow cake);
* development of nuclear power stations; and
* development of oil shale projects.
13. A major reason for ACF's opposition to fossil fuel use is because of its concern for the likely effect of the climatic impact of greenhouse emissions. The ACF recognises that simply opposing current patterns of energy use is insufficient. The promotion of acceptable and workable alternatives is essential to ensure a meaningful and successful transition to sustainability. The ACF promotes a national and equitably implemented price on greenhouse pollution, encourages investment to fund the transition to sustainable energy systems, proposes mandatory national greenhouse reduction targets and ambitious renewable energy targets, and supports and a range of energy efficiency and demand management strategies.
Adopted C105:18, November 2005