Page 3314 - Week 11 - Thursday, 11 November 2021
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In 2020 the ACT demonstrated this leadership by achieving a 100 per cent renewable electricity supply for our community. The ACT government committed to this target last decade, at a time when the renewable energy industry was in its infancy in Australia. Our transition to renewable electricity demonstrates that a small jurisdiction can be a leader in adopting zero emissions technologies.
It should be noted that larger Australian jurisdictions are now following the ACT’s lead in their approach to adopting renewables. The ACT’s innovative reverse auction process for securing renewable electricity supply is now being adopted across Australia.
Having achieved a 100 per cent renewable electricity supply, the ACT has now turned its attention to two of the largest remaining challenges—eliminating the use of fossil fuel gas and decarbonising our transport system. Today I intend to talk about the latter.
Transport fuels are now the single largest source of emissions in our community. The vehicles we drive every day are responsible for around 60 per cent of all ACT greenhouse gas emissions. That is why we are prioritising the shift to zero emissions transport, including active travel, public transport and zero emissions vehicles.
In 2019 the ACT government introduced a new public transport network to drive the step change needed to deliver a high-quality, modern and sustainable public transport service. Our light rail system runs on 100 per cent renewable electricity, and we have started down the path to a zero emissions bus system. The ACT government is also integrating walking and cycling into Canberra’s overall urban planning, transport, health, environment and education systems. The government has facilitated the introduction of electric bikes and scooters, which many Canberrans seem to have fallen in love with.
However, to reach zero emissions by 2045 will require the ACT to address emissions from passenger vehicles, which emit around three-quarters of our transport emissions. The ACT will not be acting alone. Many car makers have indicated that they see electric cars as the future of transport. Volvo and Ford Europe plan to offer only electric cars from 2030. General Motors plans to offer only electric vehicles by 2035. Volkswagen aims for 70 per cent electric car sales in Europe, and 50 per cent in China and the United States by 2030. More than 370 electric car models were available around the world in 2020, a 40 per cent increase from 2019, many of these SUVs.
Debate interrupted.
Remembrance Day
MADAM SPEAKER: Members, it being 11 am, I ask members to stand for one minute of reflective silence to commemorate the armistice which ended World War I, and to remember the sacrifice of those in all wars and conflicts in which Australia has been involved.
Members standing in their places—
MADAM SPEAKER: Thank you, members.
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