Clean energy—also known as green energy—is energy which can be obtained from renewable or natural resources and does not create environmental debt.
Clean energy can also be energy which creates less pollution, no pollution at all, or that uses resources that can be easily renewed.
There are many techniques that can be used to obtain clean energy from natural resources, including:
Why is clean energy important for Australia?
The secure supply of affordable, reliable, environmentally sustainable energy is essential to Australia's future economic growth and prosperity.
Australia's future energy supply will need to have lower greenhouse gas emissions in order to meet the challenges posed by climate change driven by rising levels of carbon dioxide in the Earth's atmosphere.
How is the Australian Government supporting clean energy in Australia?
Through the introduction of the announced Clean Energy Future Package, a carbon price and complementary measures, the Australian Government is supporting Australia's clean energy future and the development and deployment of clean energy technologies.
In August 2009, the Australian Government implemented the Renewable Energy Target scheme, which is designed to deliver on the Government's commitment to ensure that 20 per cent of Australia's electricity supply will come from renewable sources by 2020.
The Renewable Energy Target is supporting both large scale renewable energy projects, such as wind farms and solar plants and small scale installations for households, small business and community groups.
How is RET involved?
On behalf of the Australian Government, the Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism is delivering a number of programs and initiatives that support a Clean Energy Future for Australia.
These are:
- The Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA)—the establishment of this new independent statutory authority will consolidate the administration of $3.2 billion in Government support for renewable energy technology innovation.
- Carbon Capture and Storage—the Carbon Capture and Storage Flagships program supports the construction and demonstration of large-scale integrated carbon capture and storage projects in Australia. Complementing this program are the National Low Emissions Coal Initiative and the National CO2 Infrastructure Plan, which aim to accelerate the development and deployment of capture and storage technologies that will reduce emissions from coal use.
How is the Australian Government supporting clean energy internationally?
Australia is involved in a number of initiatives to support clean energy internationally.
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