Chapter 4 Climate Impacts and Responses

Responses to Climate Change > National Greenhouse Strategy

The National Greenhouse Strategy (NGS) provides the strategic framework for advancing Australia’s domestic greenhouse response. Launched in 1998, it extended substantially the program of action begun by the 1992 National Greenhouse Response Strategy and includes the Prime Minister's package of measures. The NGS was developed by Commonwealth, State and Territory governments, with input from the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), industry and the community.

The NGS articulates the framework for a coordinated and collaborative approach by all levels of government in Australia and is directed toward the achievement of three overarching goals:

• fostering knowledge and understanding of greenhouse issues;
• imiting greenhouse gas emissions; and
• laying the foundations for adaptation for climate change.

Implementation of the NGS has required considerable coordination both at the Commonwealth level and among the Commonwealth, States and Territories. At the Commonwealth level, the Ministers for the Environment and Industry jointly oversee the implementation of the NGS. The Council of Australian Governments (COAG) High Level Group on Greenhouse, comprising senior officials from the Commonwealth, States and Territories, is responsible for managing the implementation, monitoring, review and further development of the NGS. The priority in the first five years of the NGS has been on emissions abatement. The Commonwealth Government, through the framework of the NGS and an additional package in 1999, Measures for a Better Environment, committed almost $1 billion over five years to greenhouse response. The Government is committed to meeting Australia’s target agreed under the Kyoto Protocol, of limiting greenhouse gas emissions to 108% of 1990 levels over the period 2008-12. The strategy features a range of initiatives, including:

• Boosting renewable energy actions and pursuing greater energy efficiency in electricity generation and in the household and commercial/industrial sectors;
• Addressing transport systems emissions through technology development, uptake of alternative fuels, fuel efficiency and travel demand management;
• Investing significant resources into greenhouse research and monitoring Australia’s progress towards its Kyoto target through the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory;
• Investigating the possibility of a domestic emissions trading scheme;
• Encouraging industry, business and the community to use less greenhouse intensive transport; and
• Providing impetus for greenhouse action through the Greenhouse Gas Abatement program.

In August 2002, the Commonwealth announced its intention to develop a climate change forward agenda that will focus upon the longer term, while working to meet its commitment to the Kyoto target of 108%. Such a forward strategy on climate change is intended to ensure that Australia can reduce its greenhouse signature, while maintaining a strong, competitive economy. The Commonwealth is currently working with all levels of government, business and the community, in the development of the strategy.