Australia is an energy resource rich country and its reliance on fossil fuels creates a particular challenge in responding to the imperative of reducing global greenhouse emissions and ensuring sustainable energy use.
The Department of Resources, Energy and Tourism plays an important role in contributing to the development and implementation of Australia's sustainable energy and climate change policy to ensure that Australia's emission reductions will be achieved at least economic cost, whilst maintaining adequate, reliable and affordable energy supplies and the international competitiveness of Australian industries.
Australia's energy and resources sectors will be instrumental in developing solutions for a sustainable carbon-constrained economy, and shaping the future carbon-conscious energy systems for Australia, with the energy sector currently accounting for 70 per cent (or 391 MT) of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions.
As a fossil fuel dependent economy, the Australian Government has a pivotal role to play in driving technology outcomes that reduce or eliminate greenhouse gas emissions. Business sustainability issues (including water availability and use, and corporate social responsibility) are also of importance to the energy, resources and tourism sectors which are major employers and contributors to economic development, particularly in regional Australia.
The Department is contributing to key elements of the Government's domestic climate change and international climate change strategies, and to the Government's consideration of a range of sustainability and water issues including water reform, waste and biodiversity conservation to ensure that the interests of portfolio stakeholders are considered.