Source: More About Australia's Clean Energy Plan - BBC Asian

In the past couple of years, Australia has been actively involved in reducing its carbon emissions. Efforts, reform, regulation, and policies are ongoing to target a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions in the country. At a global scale, Australia is the largest carbon emitter of all developed countries, even surpassing the United States in average carbon emission output in 2009. The alarming results have led the country to take bigger steps to prevent greater impact on the environment.

A carbon pricing scheme was introduced in 2012. Commonly known as the carbon tax, this scheme aims to reduce carbon emissions by requiring the highest business emitters or polluters in Australia to purchase emission permits. Businesses that produce over 25,000 tons of carbon are required to purchase permits that is fixed at AUD$23 per ton of carbon. This is set to increase annually by 2.5%. In 2015 to 2016, permits will soon be limited with a pollution cap, thus putting more pressure to businesses and industries.

The carbon scheme also aims to push business emitters to find alternative means by investing in renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency in operations. Households and other organizations can also benefit from this carbon scheme because rebates and incentives are offered by the government to people harnessing and producing sustainable energy through solar and wind energy sources. The compensation comes from the carbon tax charged to business emitters and a bigger part of this is allocated to development of renewable energy in the country.

As part of the Australia's Clean Energy Plan, the ARENA or the Australian Renewable Energy Agency is geared towards supporting technological innovation programs for developing renewable energy. Funding for any research, deployment or development of green energy technologies will come from this agency to support and invest in clean energy movement.

As much as this program aims for positive results, there are negative impacts along the path towards a cleaner and greener Australia. Mining companies and power stations, which generally have high carbon emissions may have to decrease manpower and close off some mines due to the high cost of carbon tax. Household electricity bills are expected to rise to as high as 9%. The government, on the other hand, is providing financial assistance to low to middle-class households due to the rising cost of living in Australia.

The Clean Energy Plan targets a reduction of gas emissions by 5% below 2000 levels in 2020 and an 80% cut below 2000 levels in 2050. Six months after the carbon pricing scheme was introduced, a 9% decrease in greenhouse emissions from electricity generators was reported by the Department of Climate Change and Renewable Energy. This goes to show that there is good result despite the economic and political setbacks. The industry response may be divided into pros and antis but the government stays true in enforcing reformed energy policies and supporting households and industries willing to contribute in this clean energy plan.

Will Australia be able reverse the effects of long years of environmental degradation? Much has to be done but the country is on the path to change.

Source: More About Australia's Clean Energy Plan - BBC Asian