Key Greenhouse Response Strategy in Energy and Transport for Australia: A Discussion Paper

3.17 Create incentives for ownership and use of low-speed electric motor-assisted vehicles, such as scooters and buggies, with power outputs of motors up to 250 watts.

The role of local government could be substantial, since it is responsible for approving building plans, construction of minor roads and parking areas, and the choice of locations of many of the main local travel destinations.

4.1 Implement energy ratings and energy efficiency standards for all new and renovated buildings, and eventually all buildings, as mandated by the States (see Actions 3.4 & 3.5).

4.2 Require a solar or natural gas hot water system to be installed in every proposal for a new or substantially renovated residential building, as currently required by Leichhardt Council in Sydney.

4.3 With the additional federal funding from Cities for Climate Protection (proposed above) and State funding from financial savings (proposed above), develop integrated local transport/land use planning and implementation, including:

• local traffic demand management;
• bicycle paths and bicycle parking;
• pedestrian access and public places to sit outdoors;
• locations and prices of car parking areas;
• orientation of new streets and housing blocks;
• locations of new public buildings, shopping centres and commercial/employment centres;
• incentive programs for local businesses to monitor, benchmark and reduce GHG emissions;
• facilitation of community processes and negotiations with private bus companies that nominally serve the locality.

4.4 If the additional CCP funding (Actions 2.7 & 4.3) is insufficient, enact specific environmental levies on rates.

Based on decades of experience in the fields of sustainable energy and urban transport, I believe that in the long run the above key actions can achieve the 50% GHG reduction target. Research is in progress at the Institute to estimate the economic costs and benefits of the key actions. Since some of the actions only involve regulation, institutional change and changes to price structures, they will cost little in economic terms to implement. Indeed, it appears that most of the proposed actions could be funded from other proposed actions, without the implementation of a carbon tax or equivalent. However, the tax will be needed in the long run to ensure that all actions are implemented while creating new jobs and maintaining social equity.

Local government would of course have to receive a share of these cost savings to implement its GHG reduction programs. In addition, it could enact specific environmental levies on rates. All spheres of government, businesses and households will achieve direct financial savings by implementing energy management programs for their own operations.