healthier, happier and richer

Total national greenhouse gas emissions as a percentage of global total, 2004 figures

1%

Historical contribution – 1850 to 2000

1%

Change in annual greenhouse gas emissions since 1990

+ 29%

2005 per capita annual greenhouse gas emissions

27 tonnes

Energy used per unit of GDP (compared to USA)

95.4%

Balance of energy sources, 2006

	%
Coal	44
Oil	31.5
Gas	19
Renewables	4
Hydro	1

Energy security

Australia is the world’s fourth largest coal producer and a major exporter, particularly to Japan, Korea, Taiwan, India, China and Mexico.

It is self-sufficient in gas, and expected to remain so, for at least the next decade.

It produces around 60% of the oil it uses. However, overall use is high, so this means that it imports over 600,000 barrels of oil a day.

Electricity generated in 2006

	%
Coal	79
Gas	12
Hydro	6.5
Oil	1
Biomass	0.75
Wind*	0.65
Solar	0.01

* Installed wind capacity increased by 80% in 2008 – see below.

Installed wind capacity

2002               103Mw

2007               817Mw

2008               1.4Gw

Solar electricity

Solar energy is currently insignificant, but a 154Mw concentrated solar power plant is under construction and due to start generating in 2010. It will reach full capacity in 2013. By 2030, the developer says that the site could generate as much as 5Gw. Other CSP projects have been announced.

Solar thermal

Many Australian homes have solar thermal technology to heat water. In 2001, solar thermal produced the equivalent of 2.2Gw and it has continued to expand since.

Electricity – supply and demand

Electricity consumption in Australia has been growing at nearly double the rate of energy use overall. In 2006, Australia’s power stations produced 65% more than the 1990 level. Electricity consumption is growing at 3.3% every year.

Percentage of agriculture certified as organic

2.71%

Cars per thousand of population

619