Solar hot water across Australia
Jobs driver for a solar generation
Good for the environment, good for household budgets and good for Australian jobs is the message the Australian Greens delivered today in announcing an initiative to roll out energy-efficient solar hot water technology across Australia.
Greens Senator Christine Milne said Australian families are keen to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions but need financial incentives to do so.
"Reducing greenhouse gases requires every household and the government to work hand in hand. Today I challenge the Howard Government to drive the uptake of solar hot water by providing a $2000 subsidy for solar hot water systems.
"A consumer-targeted subsidy for five years to accelerate the uptake of low-carbon technologies such as solar hot water will create jobs and provide for industry transition and long term sustainable change. With around 30% of each household's energy use attributed to water heating, it will also save families money while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 3.9 tonnes per household.
"If 500 000 Australian households take up this subsidy in the first year, it will cost $1 billion, and reduce our greenhouse gas emissions by almost 2 million tonnes which is equivalent to taking 400 000 cars off the road.
"We need a whole-of-government approach to policy to address climate change. Fossil fuel subsidies such as concessional fringe benefits tax for company cars costing $1.08 billion in 2007-08 should be ended, and the funds transferred to initiatives like the one we are announcing today.
"To drive a solar revolution in Australia, the subsidy needs to be backed up with regulatory changes in Mandatory Energy Performance Standards to eliminate the worst performing hot water technologies from the market, as well as changes to the Building Code of Australia to encourage further energy efficiency.
"The Prime Minister keeps on saying that tackling climate change will double energy bills and cost jobs. He needs to be shown that not only will energy-efficiency help to drive a whole renewable energy revolution, it will also deliver cheaper power bills, delay expensive new energy infrastructure and empower Australians to take action on climate change," Senator Milne said.
