Fuel economy issues dominated discussion at a Climate Change Summit hosted by the Australian Automobile Association in Canberra in June. In a presentation to the Summit, David Ward, FIA Foundation Director General, explained that traditional fossil fuels are likely to remain the most popular fuel source beyond 2050 and warned that the global vehicle fleet was forecast to triple over the same period. Both to mitigate climate change and conserve energy it is necessary for motor vehicles to achieve a 50% improvement in fuel efficiency over the next twenty years. Citing International Energy Agency (IEA) technology projections, David Ward said this goal can be achieved using known technologies at low or even negative cost.
The National Climate Change Summit, which brought together AAA clubs, policymakers and experts, was opened by the Hon Anthony Albanese MP, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government. Stressing the Rudd Government’s commitment to action on climate change and, in particular, the United Nation’s Kyoto Protocol, Mr Albanese highlighted the plans to introduce a carbon emissions trading scheme (ETS) by 2010 which will include the transport sector.
The Minister confirmed that a Green Paper on the ETS will be released in July this year and looked forward to a “continued close working relationship with the AAA on climate change and other transport related issues”. The AAA, whist stressing that passenger cars amount to only 8% of Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions, are committed to be part of the solution to the climate change challenge on behalf of their 6.5 million members. They support the proposed ETS on the condition that it is “combined with a reform of fuel taxes and motoring related costs, with all sectors included within the trading scheme”.
Featured at the Summit was the AAA’s recently adopted policy statement on climate change ‘On the Road to Greener Motoring’. The Statement compliments the AAA existing policies to make motoring safer, more affordable and less polluting. It includes an examination of the impact of cars on Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions , on the guiding principles that should inform Australia’s climate change policies, and on the best approaches to achieve emissions reductions. The AAA statement especially highlights their role in providing independent advice to the public on how they can promote greener motoring.
For further details, click here to download the AAA policy statement >