FED: Greenhouse target could be harder because of economy

AAP General News (Australia)
08-11-1999
FED: Greenhouse target could be harder because of economy

CANBERRA, Aug 11 AAP - The economic growth rate could make it more difficult for Australia
to reach greenhouse gas emissions levels it agreed to at the 1997 Kyoto conference,
Environment Minister Robert Hill said today.

Launching a workbook for greenhouse gas reductions in the trucking industry, Senator Hill
said Australia had already set itself a tough target by agreeing to cut emissions by seven per
cent by 2010, when emission increases over that period were forecast at 43 per cent.

And the economy, forecast by Treasury to grow at three per cent during 1999/2000, may make
the task harder.

"I don't want to knock a strong economy, we look for win-win outcomes and we wanted to grow
the economy and we are thrilled in the way in which it is growing," Senator Hill told
reporters.

"But it is true ... in a general way, that as the rate of economic growth increases so does
the greenhouse gases.

"It might mean that our challenge is a little more difficult than what we originally
anticipated. We are doing work at the moment to assess whether that is so."

About 20 trucking companies have joined the Greenhouse Challenge to reduce emissions from
their vehicles.

An estimated 15 per cent of total greenhouse gas emissions are produced by road transport.
Of those, about 2.5 per cent come from trucks.

Australian Trucking Association vice chairman Bob Angus said reductions in fuel consumption
and improved engine performance had all combined to reduce emissions from trucks.

"The trucking industry has made great inroads in reducing their impact on the environment,"
he said.

AAP msl/mfh/cjh

KEYWORD: GREENHOUSE

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.