Low Impact

A feed-in tariff can reduce the pay-off time for solar cells.

Recently the ACT (the Australian Capital Territory) passed legislation for a “Feed-in tariff” for renewable energy. This is a concept that has been very successful in Europe, particularly Germany, in boosting domestic uptake of solar panels. The ACT legislation is due to take effect by June in 2009 (to allow the underlying regulations to be drafted and for retailers to implement the necessary systems).

The idea is simple. Basically, Electricity Retailers are obliged to pay over and above the normal wholesale rate for electricity sourced from a domestic renewable energy system (typically wind turbines or photo-voltaic solar cells). This means that the pay-off period (how long it takes the system to pay for itself) is reduced.

Of course, nothing is free! The Electricity Retailers need to … Continue reading

Wasted food costs money as well as the environment

Most things that we buy or use go through a similar lifecycle.

1. The item is produced and transported to the customer
2. The item is used or consumed by the customer
3. The item is disposed of.

This general pattern is common to most things we consume, with minor variations. An apple is produced by a farmer and delivered to the supermarket. The customer eats the apple (so its useful life is pretty short!), and the apple core is thrown in the bin. A fridge is manufactured, delivered to the customer, and after 5 or 10 years of faithful service, sent to the tip.

Where things get a little absurd… Continue reading

Garnaut’s proposed emissions cuts for 2020 are surprisingly mild

The news broke a few days ago that the Australian government’s climate change policy advisor, Professor Ross Garnaut has proposed two emission reduction targets for Australia for 2020. He proposes a cut of 10% if the rest of the world gets on board to globally reduce emissions. If other countries choose not to sign up, he suggests a cut of 5% by 2020, with a final target of 60% by 2050.

I think a lot of people are surprised at these figures. Garnaut is on the record as saying… Continue reading