Antinuclear

Engineers Australia (IEAust) wants greater greenhouse cuts, and a big shift to renewable energy

Engineers Australia Advocates 80 Per Cent Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions   http://designbuildsource.com.au/engineers-australia-advocates-80-per-cent-reduction-in-greenhouse-gas-emissions By Marc Howe, 19 Feb 13,  A submission by Engineers Australia (IEAust) to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) endorses ambitious new targets for reductions in the country’s greenhouse gas emissions by mid-century.

The new benchmarks target a reduction of 25 per cent of greenhouse gas emissions by 2020 and 80 per cent by 2050 based on 2000 levels. These declines are believed to be necessary for Australia to make a meaningful contribution to international efforts to keep emissions within 450 ppm of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2-e), and ensure that global average temperature gains are kept within two degrees Celsius.

In addition to supporting the new set of targets, the Sustainable Engineering Society strongly advocates a stricter target of 350ppm CO2-e, due to uncertainty over whether the 450ppm target will be sufficient to limit worrying gains in global temperature levels.

The professional engineering body also supports the concomitant shift to renewable energies that such ambitious reductions in CO2 emissions will necessitate.

“Engineers Australia strongly endorses the Australian Renewable Energy Agency’s remit to improve the competitiveness and increase the supply of renewable energy in Australia, strengthen energy security and reduce greenhouse gas emissions,” says the submission. EAust slams the role of large corporate energy providers, claiming they are largely preoccupied with their own commercial interests and act as a “road block” in the transition from emission-heavy fossil fuels to renewable power sources.

“Indeed their aim of maximising profits for shareholders does not necessarily place the needs and interests of regional communities foremost, as this need combines the provision of affordable energy, social equity and environmental responsibility,” the organization said.

IEAust calls for the introduction of legislation to foster the use of alternative energy sources and the emergence of alternative providers to compete against the existing majors.

Engineers Australia is the top representative body for the engineering profession in Australia and has over 100,000 members throughout the country in all disciplines and branches of the field.

February 20, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming, energy