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“In the interests of solving the climate crisis and moving to genuinely clean energy solutions, Greenpeace has submitted its own Terms of Reference, which include an investigation into the potential of renewable energy, and encourages the Taskforce to consider the very real and valuable role that renewable energy can and must play in Australia’s energy future.”
If the Inquiry Taskforce was genuinely investigating how Australia will meet future energy demands while significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions, the Terms of Reference would have allowed for the investigation and analysis of other potential energy sources. As such, it is difficult not to interpret the Review process as merely a platform to expand Australia’s uranium exports, develop uranium enrichment capacity, and position Australia as a key player in the global nuclear club.
To tackle climate change, immediate and top priority must be deep cuts in emissions. These can only be achieved by developing Australia’s renewable energy industry, energy efficiency and by reducing energy demand. These can all be achieved without jeopardising Australia’s economy and without the added risks and costs undeniably associated with nuclear power.
“It has been exceedingly disappointing, but hardly surprising, that the Australian Government has not applied the same rigour to the task of investigating the significant development of the renewable energy industry in this country as it has to the nuclear option,” Mr Kennedy said.
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Notes to Editor
Greenpeace’s submission considers the following Terms of Reference:
1. Economic issues
i. The capacity for Australia to increase renewable energy domestically and for the export market in response to growing global demand.
ii. The potential for establishing other steps in the development of renewable energy in Australia.
iii. The extent and circumstances in which renewable energy could in the longer term be economically competitive in Australia with other existing electricity generation technologies, including any implications this would have for the national electricity market.
iv. The current state of renewable energy research and development in Australia and the capacity for Australia to make a significantly greater contribution to international renewable energy science.
2. Environment issues
i. The extent to which renewable energy will make a contribution to the reduction of global greenhouse gas emissions.
ii. The extent to which renewable energy could contribute to the mix of emerging energy technologies in Australia.
3. Health, safety and proliferation issues
i. The potential of renewable energy technologies to meet safety, waste and proliferation concerns.
ii. The waste processing and storage issues associated with renewable energy and current world's best practice.
iii. Waste processing and storage issues associated with renewable energy and current world's best practice.
iv. The security implications relating to renewable energy.
v. The health and safety implications relating to renewable energy.
For further information or comment
Louise Clifton, Communications Officer, Greenpeace Australia Pacific Tel: 02 9263 0357 / 0438 204 041
