PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The latest results from the Quarterly National Greenhouse Gas Inventory have highlighted the need for greater action on decarbonisation said Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen.

The March inventory showed that emissions were estimated at 465.9-million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent for the year to March 2023, compared to 465.5-million tonnes for the previous 12 months.

Australia’s emissions are now 24.4% below June 2005 levels.

The inventory shows renewables accounted for 39% of generation across the National Energy Market in the year to March 2023, which is an 18.6% increase on the previous 12 months and rose further to 40% in the year to June 2023.

In the year to March 2023, electricity emissions decreased by 3.9% but transport increased by 6.4%, bouncing back after lower numbers were seen owing to Covid-19. The increase in transport emissions follows global trends and is comparable to many developed economies around the world including the European Union and New Zealand.

Bowen said while the increase in renewables was positive, these results reinforced the need for stronger action on decarbonisation.

“The government’s legislated emissions reduction target, Rewiring the Nation plan and Capacity Investment Scheme are driving cleaner, cheaper energy but we have much more to do,” said Bowen.

“Our reforms to the Safeguard Mechanism, which only came into effect in July and aren’t included in this inventory update, will deliver over 200-million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 – equivalent to taking two-thirds of the nation’s cars off the road.

“We are also working with industry, the climate movement, experts, unions and the community to develop sectoral decarbonisation plans, including for electricity and transport.

“We are implementing ambitious but achievable policies to strengthen the economy, create jobs and decrease emissions to reach 43% emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.”