Australian Green House Office

Resulting from the Kyoto agreement, the Australian Government made a number of commitments, including the need to source more of the Nations' electricity from renewable resources.

The Australian Green House Office was established to provide the link between the Government's commitments and the people and industries who would have to implement them.

In 1998, Balance Research received an invitation to the Melbourne session of a "roadshow" by AGHO seeking input to the issues about the two percent increase in electricity generation from renewable sources.

Michael Isaachsen, Director of Balance Research, attended. At the meeting he placed on the agenda the fact that pressure to reduce the use of petroleum fuels may result in an increase in demand for electric energy for railway traction. Railways are the only form of transport that can directly use electricity.

The result could be that the expected reduction in fossil-fuel usage might not be achieved despite the two percent increase in alternative sources because of the increased demand from railways.

While modal shift from road or air to rail should be welcomed, as should switching of railways from diesel to electric traction, the Government should perhaps consider increasing the target.

After the meeting, Balance Research made a written submission to the AGHO.

Click here to read the submission.