2 May, 2019

Australia's power supply: brown and polluting

Authors

Ursula Fuentes Hutfilter, Jasmin Cantzler, Fabio Sferra, Bill Hare, Gaurav Ganti, Matt Beer

Australia's power supply: brown and polluting

Together with the Australian Conservation Foundation, we have been analysing Australia’s emissions profile and policies. This factsheet focuses on Australia’s electricity sector and outlines how it compares with other countries.

Australia has one of the most polluting power grids in the world with 62 per cent of electricity generation coming from burning coal.

Current policies will only drive a further 9 per cent decrease in emissions from electricity generation to 2030.

Of the countries studied, Australia stands out as having no 2030 or 2050 renewable energy target, no decarbonisation strategy for electricity and no coal phase-out plan.

Other factsheets in the series:

Australia’s pollution profile and how to turn it around

Australia’s industry – inefficient and standing still

Australia’s vehicle fleet: dirty and falling further behind

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