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Because Australia relies so heavily on industries that produce greenhouse gases, it was one of only three developed nations that were allowed small increases in annual greenhouse gas emissions under the Kyoto Protocol.
The Australian government is still working towards meeting its target by 2012. However, it has not legally committed to the Kyoto Protocol and instead has set it’s own targets to co-operate with the international plan.
The Australian government has set a target to ensure that at least 20% of Australia’s energy supply is provided from renewable resources by 2020 (that’s enough to power 7,500,000 homes!)
In Western Australia, the Office of Energy (OOE) promotes the use of renewable energy and increased energy efficiency to all Western Australians.
The Office of Energy (OOE) provides funding and grants to:
National Framework for Energy Efficiency: has been put together between the State and the Commonwealth Government. It sets out future plans for energy efficiency in Western Australia and it wants to help improve energy efficiency, reduce energy demand and lower greenhouse gas emissions (National Framework for Energy Efficiency, 2006). For more information on the National Framework for Energy Efficiency, go to http://www.ret.gov.au/Documents/mce/energy-eff/nfee/default.html
Like the rest of Australia, one of the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in WA is generating electricity. The State’s largest electricity generation company, Verve Energy, is working with the Australian Government to help reduce greenhouse gases.
For more information visit the climate change website.
