Page 3355 - Week 11 - Thursday, 11 November 2021
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video
Scope 3 emissions are those generated through the production of food and other goods outside the ACT and consumed within the ACT. Examples include emissions from manufacturing steel or concrete used in construction, mining and producing of raw materials; dairy farming; or producing electric appliances. Unlike scopes 1 and 2 emissions, we do not have that much control over scope 3 emissions other than through changing the products and the services we buy. This is, in part, why most entities report on only scope 1 and scope 2 emissions, and the ACT’s emissions reduction targets are in relation to scopes 1 and 2.
We do not report these other emissions for the ACT. We align with international reporting practice and report scope 1 and scope 2 emissions only, and this is to avoid double-counting of emissions nationally and internationally. Note that the ACT’s scope 3 emissions are scope 1 or 2 emissions somewhere else. In fact, around half of the ACT’s scope 3 emissions are produced from elsewhere in Australia, mainly Queensland, New South Wales and Victoria. If every jurisdiction achieved zero emissions targets like the ACT, all scope 3 emissions would also be zero.
This report highlights the extent of change needed throughout the national and global economy to bring emissions down. In the ACT we have seen great progress in reducing scopes 1 and 2 emissions, the ones that are in our direct control, largely through shifting to 100 per cent renewable electricity and cutting our electricity emissions to zero.
We are now focusing on reducing the other scope 1 emissions, such as local transport and gas use, by encouraging the transition to zero emissions transport and phasing out fossil gas so that we can be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity instead. It makes sense to start with the emissions that are in our sphere of influence and, now that we are making good progress, we can look to how we can reduce emissions across our broader economy and society.
We commissioned this report because we know that it is important to understand our broader emissions impact so that we can continue to lead on climate action and drive the economy-wide transformation that is needed. This is particularly important in the ACT, where we have a relatively high ecological footprint due to high consumption of goods and energy. Reducing scope 3 emissions is important for the bigger picture of global climate action, to keep global warming below two degrees, and we can play an important role in leading by example and inspiring others to take action. There is no time to waste in working towards net zero emissions. We will continue to advocate for national policies to decarbonise the energy and manufacturing sectors and look for opportunities to collaborate with other jurisdictions for a zero emissions economy.
The ACT Climate Change Strategy includes actions that do reduce scope 3 emissions, including two key areas highlighted in this report: reducing emissions from waste management, including moving now to introduce city-wide food and organic waste collection and re-use by 2023; and requiring all major projects over $10 million to achieve an Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia rating, or green star rating, or equivalent.
Next page . . . . Previous page . . . . Speeches . . . . Contents . . . . Debates(HTML) . . . . PDF . . . . Video