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The Commonwealth's Environmental Expenditure

Appendix 6 - Greenhouse and Atmosphere

Table A6.1: Greenhouse and Atmosphere - New Measures and Programme and Tax Expenditure Estimates

This table lists activities in the order that they appear in the following text. `na' denotes that spending cannot be precisely identified and it does not mean that spending is not occurring.

Description	1999-00 $m	2000-01 $m	2001-02 $m	2002-03 $m	2003-04 $m
NEW MEASURES
Establishment of a Regulator for the Mandatory Target for the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Power Supplies(a)	-	1.6	1.7	1.7	1.5
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme	-	100.0	100.0	100.0	100.0
Supporting Renewable Remote Power Generation	-	66.0	66.0	66.0	66.0
Supporting Photovoltaic Systems	-	4.0	6.0	9.0	12.0
Compressed Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas Vehicle Conversion	-	15.0	20.0	20.0	20.0
Diesel and Alternative Fuels Grants Scheme	-	9.0	12.0	18.0	-
Supporting Development and Commercialisation of Renewable Energy	-	4.0	5.0	7.0	10.0
PROGRAMME AND TAX EXPENDITURE ESTIMATES
Greenhouse
International Activities	1.6	na	na	na	na
International Greenhouse Partnerships	2.6	2.0	-	-	-
National Greenhouse Strategy	5.5	4.5	-	-	-
Emissions Trading	1.1	na	na	na	na
National Carbon Accounting System	5.3	2.8	1.2	2.1	-
Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting	na	na	na	na	na
Bush for Greenhouse	1.4	1.1	1.1	1.1	-
Greenhouse Challenge	5.5	7.5	7.5	6.2	-
Cities for Climate Protection	2.4	2.7	2.7	2.7	-
Household Greenhouse Action	0.5	0.6	0.3	-	-
Mandatory Targets for the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Power Supplies	0.7	0.7	0.7	0.7	-
Renewable Energy Support
Renewable Energy Commercialisation	3.4	6.1	6.1	9.3	-
Renewable Energy Showcase	2.7	3.1	-	-	-
Renewable Energy Equity Fund	0.2	4.1	3.1	3.1	2.6
Renewable Energy Internet Site	0.1	..	..	..	-
Emerging and Renewable Energy Action Agenda	0.5	na	na	na	na
Renewable Energy Industry	1.0	3.5	3.0	3.0	2.5
Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	-
Efficiency Standards for Power Generation	0.7	0.6	0.6	0.6	-
Energy Performance Codes and Standards	2.2	2.2	2.2	2.2	-
Raising Consumer Awareness in Energy Efficient Housing	..	..	..	-	-
Energy Efficiency in Government Operations	1.4	1.3	1.3	1.3	-
Accelerating Energy Market Reform	0.1	na	na	na	na

Description	1999-00 $m	2000-01 $m	2001-02 $m	2002-03 $m	2003-04 $m
Energy Efficiency Best Practice	na	2.5	2.5	2.5	2.5
Environmental Strategy for the Motor Vehicle Industry	0.7	na	na	na	na
Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure	2.8	2.3	1.8	-	-
Domestic Greenhouse Policy	1.5	1.5	1.5	1.5	-
Science and Research
National Greenhouse Science	3.9	4.1	4.1	4.1	-
Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide	0.1	0.1	-	-	-
Human Impact on Climate Change	2.3	1.2	-	-	-
CSIRO Research	-	25.5	24.8	24.4
Bureau of Meteorology(b)	6.0	5.9	5.9	5.8	5.8
Biospheric Sources and Sinks for Greenhouse Gases	0.5	0.5	na	na	na
Coastal Climatology	na	na	na	na	na
Ozone Protection
Ozone Protection and Halon Bank	14.6	4.9	3.4	2.0	1.8
Ozone Protection Reserve	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5	0.5
Ozone Protection Act	na	na	na	na	na
Air Quality
Air Pollution in Major Cities	5.1	4.1	4.1	-	-
Air Quality Management	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4	0.4

- denotes nil; na denotes not applicable; .. denotes not zero, but rounded to zero

(a) This measure has been funded internally through reprioritisation.

(b) Estimates of appropriation-based Bureau of Meteorology expenditure attributable to atmospheric monitoring, research and service provision in support of environmental objectives.

New Measures

Establishment of a Regulator for the Mandatory Target for the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Power Supplies
$1.6 million in 2000-01

The Government is developing legislation to implement its commitment to a mandatory target for the uptake of renewable energy in power supplies. Wholesale purchasers of electricity will be legally required to source increasing amounts of electricity from renewable energy sources, increasing the contribution that renewable energy makes to meeting Australia's electricity needs from the current levels of around 10 per cent to approximately 12 per cent by 2010. The legislation will establish the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator to oversee the process, with funding to commence from 1 July 2000.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/markets/2percent_ren
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Energy Group - 02 6274 1416

Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme
$100.0 million in 2000-01

The Government is providing $400 million from 2000-01 to 2003-04 under the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme to reduce Australia's net greenhouse gas emissions by supporting activities that are likely to result in substantial emission reduction or substantial sink enhancement. This significantly builds upon the Prime Minister's previously announced $180 million Greenhouse Programme (November 1997) which is presently being implemented. The new programme will play an important role in meeting Australia's commitment under the Kyoto protocol.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/ggap/
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme - 02 6274 1648

Supporting Renewable Remote Power Generation
$66.0 million in 2000-01

The Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme will provide a rebate of up to 50 per cent of the cost of converting diesel-based, off-grid electricity supplies to renewable energy technologies. The programme will be funded from excise paid on diesel used to generate electricity by publicly owned public generators. States and territories will be allocated funding on the basis of the relevant diesel fuel excise paid in that state or territory. Up to $264 million will be available over the four-year life of the programme.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/initiatives.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Supporting Photovoltaic Systems
$4.0 million in 2000-01

Under the Photovoltaic Rebate Programme, cash rebates are now available to householders who install grid-connected or stand-alone photovoltaic systems. A total of $31 million is available over the four-year life of the programme from 1 July 2000. The programme was commenced early for residential consumers from 1 January 2000, to address industry concern about a potential drop in sales as customers deferred purchases in anticipation of the rebate. It will be expanded from 1 July 2000 to provide rebates to owners of community use buildings, such as schools.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/initiatives.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Compressed Natural Gas and Liquid Petroleum Gas Vehicle Conversion
$15.0 million in 2000-01

The Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme was announced by the Prime Minister in May 1999 and commenced in March 2000. The programme is designed to facilitate a strategic shift by Australia's heavier commercial vehicle and bus fleets to cleaner compressed natural gas or liquefied petroleum gas fuels. A total of $75 million has been allocated to the programme up to July 2004 to support the conversion of conventionally fuelled buses and commercial vehicles weighing 3.5 tonnes gross vehicle mass to compressed natural gas or liquid petroleum gas.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Alternative Fuels Team - 02 6274 1421

Diesel and Alternative Fuels Grants Scheme
$9.0 million in 2000-01

The intention of the scheme is to maintain the current price relativities between diesel and alternative transport fuels by allowing those on-road transport operators who are eligible for the diesel fuel grant to also be eligible for alternative fuel grants. The retention of the existing price differential between diesel and alternative fuels will encourage wider use of alternative fuels, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality. Eligible users of alternative fuels such as compressed natural gas, liquid petroleum gas and recycled waste oil, and renewable fuels such as ethanol and canola oil, will attract alternative fuel grants.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Supporting Development and Commercialisation of Renewable Energy
$4.0 million in 2000-01

The Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme is a five-year, competitive grants programme that promotes renewable energy initiatives that have strong commercial potential. The Prime Minister announced the programme's funding boost to $56 million (from $30 million) in May 1999.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Greenhouse

International Activities

The Government will continue its active participation in global negotiations to extend international commitments to address the threat of climate change. A key focus will be the negotiations to realise the Kyoto protocol to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change, particularly land use change and forestry elements. Other activities include involvement in related environmental negotiations, international reporting on progress on Australia's convention implementation and Australian input to international scientific bodies.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/international/
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Climate Change International Team - 02 6274 1931

International Greenhouse Partnerships
$2.0 million in 2000-01

The main goals of the International Greenhouse Partnerships Programme are to help establish cooperatively implemented project-based flexibility mechanisms as outlined under the Kyoto protocol and to ensure Australia and Australian industry gains experience in the operation of these mechanisms.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/resources/energy_greenhouse/igp/index.html
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, International Greenhouse Partnerships Programme - 02 6213 7891

National Greenhouse Strategy
$4.5 million in 2000-01

The National Greenhouse Strategy, released in November 1998, provides a strategic policy framework through which Australia's international commitments will be met. It represents a commitment by the Commonwealth Government and state and territory governments to comprehensive action on greenhouse. The Commonwealth work programme for 2000 is focussed on continued delivery of Commonwealth measures and encouraging high quality outcomes for nationally focussed measures. These are in the areas of communication, education and training, life cycle assessment, and the development of environmental management strategies for the synthetic gases included in the Kyoto protocol. The first report on progress for the implementation of the National Greenhouse Strategy will be available in the second half of 2000. Key areas of expenditure include projections of Australia's greenhouse gas emissions on a sector by sector basis and analysis of the impact of current and proposed greenhouse gas abatement measures, and the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory that fulfils Australia's commitment to the Framework Convention on Climate Change to provide annual estimates of emissions and sinks of man-made greenhouse gases on a sectoral basis.

Websites: www.greenhouse.gov.au/pubs/ngs/
www.greenhouse.gov.au/inventory/index.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Policy and Planning Team - 02 6274 1822

Emissions Trading

The Emissions Trading Team is responsible for providing policy advice to the Commonwealth Government on the establishment of a national emissions trading system. A possible consequence of the Kyoto protocol is that emissions permits and credits will become tradeable internationally at some time in the future. Greenhouse gas emissions trading is potentially a low cost policy instrument, and is being considered within an overall policy framework

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/emissionstrading
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Emissions Trading Team - 02 6274 1132

National Carbon Accounting System
$2.8 million in 2000-01

The National Carbon Accounting System aims to provide a complete accounting and forecasting capability for human-induced sources and sinks of greenhouse gas emissions from Australian land-based systems. The information obtained will be used to fulfil the requirements of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change and its instruments.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/ncas
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Carbon Accounting Team - 02 6274 1926

Cooperative Research Centre for Greenhouse Accounting

The goal of the Cooperative Research Centre is to ensure that Australia is in the strongest position possible to argue internationally for a comprehensive system of accounting for carbon emissions and sinks. This will be achieved by demonstrating that emissions and sinks can be measured accurately.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/crc/centres/environ/tca.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Carbon Accounting Team - 02 6274 1926

Bush for Greenhouse
$1.1 million in 2000-01

The Government has allocated $5.5 million from 1998-99 to 2002-03 to Bush for Greenhouse. The programme will enhance Australia's greenhouse sinks through facilitating corporate investment in revegetation activities.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/pubs/factsheets/fs_bush.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, National Sinks Team - 02 6274 1829

Greenhouse Challenge
$7.5 million in 2000-01

The Greenhouse Challenge is a joint initiative between the Commonwealth Government and industry to abate greenhouse gas emissions. Participating organisations sign agreements with the Government that provide the framework for undertaking and reporting on actions to abate emissions.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office - 02 6274 1888

Cities for Climate Protection
$2.7 million in 2000-01

The Cities for Climate Protection - Australia Programme is a partnership between the Australian Greenhouse Office and the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives. The programme provides tailored support for participating councils and their communities to help them identify and implement emission reduction actions.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/lgmodules/ or www.iclei.org/ccp-au/
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Community Partnerships - 02 6274 1888

Household Greenhouse Action
$0.6 million in 2000-01

This programme aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the residential sector by facilitating partnerships between key intermediaries from the community, industry and governments to address barriers to the supply, demand and effective use of energy efficient goods and services to households. Twenty partnership projects are to be implemented by mid-2002.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office - 02 6274 1888

Mandatory Targets for the Uptake of Renewable Energy in Power Supplies
$0.7 million in 2000-01

Wholesale purchasers of electricity will be required to source increasing amounts of electricity from accredited renewable energy sources. Over the period from commencement (scheduled for 2001) to 2010, the target will gradually rise to 9,500 GWh of electricity generated from renewable energy sources. From 2010 to 2020, the target will remain stable at 9,500 GWh each year. An allocation of $3.8 million over five years is provided to achieve the target.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/markets/2percent_ren/
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Energy Group - 02 6274 1978

Renewable Energy Support
$16.9 million in 2000-01

To encourage the uptake of renewable energy, the Government has provided almost $400 million over five years for programmes to support the commercialisation and application of renewable energy technologies, and to support the development of Australia's renewable energy industry. This support comprises $60 million over five years and up to a further $321 million over four years commencing 1 July 2000.

Renewable Energy Commercialisation

The Renewable Energy Commercialisation Programme is a five-year competitive grants programme that provides support for strategically important renewable energy initiatives that have strong commercial potential.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Renewable Energy Showcase

The Renewable Energy Showcase is a $10 million one-off competitive grants programme running from 1998-99 to 2000-01, designed to develop and showcase leading, innovative Australian renewable energy commercialisation projects. The successful tenders involve wind, solar and biomass technologies.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/renew2.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Renewable Energy Equity Fund

The Renewable Energy Equity Fund focusses on facilitating the commercialisation and application of renewable energy technologies through the provision of equity finance. Government funding of almost $20 million from 1998-99 to 2008-09 will be provided and invested along with private sector funding on a 2:1 basis.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/renewable/renew4.html
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Renewable Energy Internet Site

The Renewable Energy Internet Site is designed to support the Australian renewable energy industry. It provides an on-line database covering all organisations in the Australian renewable energy industry to assist customers to find suppliers and facilitate networking within the industry. It also includes a searchable database of all Australian renewable energy installations over 5kW, descriptions of renewable energy technologies and how to use them, and information on government support for the industry.

Website: renewable.greenhouse.gov.au/
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Renewable Energy - 02 6274 1832

Emerging and Renewable Energy Action Agenda

In collaboration with industry and other stakeholders, the Commonwealth is developing an action agenda for emerging and renewable energy to develop internationally competitive Australian renewable energy industries servicing Australian and export markets. This action agenda will be finalised in the second quarter of 2000 and will contain strategies and actions for government and industry.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/agendas
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Environment Industries - 02 6213 7580

Renewable Energy Industry
$3.5 million in 2000-01

The Renewable Energy Industry Programme provides venture capital to early stage companies and other incorporated bodies that are commercialising research and development in renewable energy technologies. The programme also fosters an understanding of the renewable energy industry in the venture capital sector.

Website: www.ausindustry.gov.au/documents/dir8/doc501208.html
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, AusIndustry - 02 6213 7394

Cooperative Research Centre for Renewable Energy
$1.5 million in 2000-01

The centre researches four clearly defined and linked programmes: power generation, energy efficiency, energy storage and power conditioning. These are all essential elements of efficient and cost-effective renewable energy delivery systems. The research focusses on a number of sources of energy including photovoltaics, solar-thermal, electric windows and wind.

Website: www.acre.murdoch.edu.au
Contact: CRC for Renewable Energy - 08 9360 6620

Efficiency Standards for Power Generation
$0.6 million in 2000-01

The objective of the Efficiency Standards for Power Generation Programme is to encourage fossil fuel generators to move towards best practice plant performance and to reduce the greenhouse intensity of energy supply. The Government has provided $4.1 million for the five-year period beginning 1998-99.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/markets
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Energy Group - 02 6274 1978

Energy Performance Codes and Standards
$2.2 million in 2000-01

Codes and Standards for Housing and Commercial Buildings

The Government is continuing to work towards the introduction of minimum energy performance requirements in the Building Code of Australia. Following the publishing of studies quantifying the problem and describing the scope of the building code change exercise, plus extensive consultation with stakeholders, the Government is implementing a code change programme that will deliver both economic and environmental benefits to Australia. Significant advances are continuing to be made on energy efficiency of Australian buildings through the support industry best practice initiatives.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Energy Group - 02 6274 1978

Codes and Standards for Domestic Appliances and Industrial Equipment

In a joint initiative with state and territory governments, the Australian Greenhouse Office is encouraging the manufacture and purchase of energy efficient household appliances and commercial and industrial equipment. Improvements in product design, the development of Minimum Energy Performance Standards, and energy labelling have an important role to play. Funding of $4.4 million over four years commencing in 1998 has been provided to undertake these initiatives.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Energy Group - 02 6274 1978

Raising Consumer Awareness in Energy Efficient Housing

This initiative of the Building and Construction Action Agenda aims to raise consumer awareness of energy efficient housing. The programme will complement the voluntary initiatives being undertaken by industry including the introduction of minimum energy standards into the Building Code of Australia.

Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources - 02 6213 7277

Energy Efficiency in Government Operations
$1.3 million in 2000-01

The Government Operations Programme will receive $6.6 million over the five years 1998-99 to 2002-03 to improve energy efficiency in Commonwealth operations.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Government Operations- 02 6274 1888

Accelerating Energy Market Reform

The Government will pursue reform of energy markets particularly regarding energy market trading pools and the monitoring of renewables measure. The Accelerating Energy Market Reform Measure aims to lower the rate of emissions growth by improving the economic efficiency of energy supply. The measure will expand energy market reforms to extend electricity reform, deliver integrated and compatible national frameworks for gas and electricity by 2002, and, with the states, develop the means to identify greenhouse intensity of energy sources in energy market trading pools by 2001. The Australian Greenhouse Office works closely with the Department of Industry, Science and Resources, which has lead responsibility for this measure.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/markets/reform/
Publication: Allen Consulting Group Pty Ltd and McLennan Magasanik Associates Pty Ltd, 1999. Energy Market Reform and Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions: A report to the Department of Industry, Science and Resources
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources - 02 6213 7921

Energy Efficiency Best Practice
$2.5 million in 2000-01

This voluntary programme involves government working with industry to maximise reductions in greenhouse gas emissions and encourage energy efficiency benchmarking and best practice.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/resources/netenergy/domestic/bpp
Publication: Energy Efficiency Investment in Australia
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Energy Efficiency Best Practice - 02 6213 7871

Environmental Strategy for the Motor Vehicle Industry

The Government is implementing a range of measures under the Environmental Strategy for the Motor Vehicle Industry aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the motor vehicle fleet. The Commonwealth Government is also working closely with the states and territories through the National Greenhouse Strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the transport sector.

Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/transport
Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Sustainable Transport - 02 6274 1888

Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure
$2.3 million in 2000-01

The Government established the Compressed Natural Gas Infrastructure Programme in 1998-99, and has doubled the allocation of funds to this programme to $7.6 million over four years. The objective of the programme is to support the development of a network of compressed natural gas refuelling stations in selected areas where support by local organisations has been proven. The aim is to encourage fleet operators, particularly light commercial vehicles, to switch to compressed natural gas. Following the completion of a National Priority Analysis Study in early 2000, up to 20 publicly accessible refuelling sites should be established around Australia by 2002 in addition to the 12 existing sites.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Alternative Fuels Team - 02 6274 1389

Domestic Greenhouse Policy
$1.5 million in 2000-01

The Domestic Greenhouse Policy Branch contributes to developing and implementing domestic greenhouse gas emission mitigation consistent with Government priorities. Activities include inputs to developing a package of new greenhouse abatement measures, assessing proposals for major projects, and analysing impacts on industry of various options for domestic emission trading.

Website: www.isr.gov.au/resources/index.html
Contact: Department of Industry, Science and Resources, Domestic Greenhouse Policy Branch -
02 62137884

Science and Research

National Greenhouse Science
$4.1 million in 2000-01

The Greenhouse Science Programme underpins Australia's greenhouse response: it is vital to understanding greenhouse gas influences on climate change, developing mitigation options and managing environmental, economic and social responses to climate change. The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change requires scientific effort, which is critical to Australia's continued standing in international negotiations and the global scientific community. Australian greenhouse research produces scenarios of climate change for Australian regions, helping to identify positive and negative climate change impacts and to develop adaptation strategies.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Greenhouse Inventory and Science Team - 02 6274 1039

Geological Disposal of Carbon Dioxide
$0.1 million in 2000-01

This research project, funded in conjunction with the oil and gas industry, offers the Government an opportunity to evaluate the potential for domestic geological disposal of carbon dioxide and knowledge of the likely costs and benefits of such actions. Environmental, social and economic implications of geological disposal will also be explored.

Contact: Australian Greenhouse Office, Policy and Planning Section - 02 6274 1966
Website: www.greenhouse.gov.au/media/geodisc.pdf

Human Impact on Climate Change
$1.2 million in 2000-01

The Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation is applying its expertise in nuclear techniques to investigate the influence of human activity on global environmental change and its possible effects on future climate change. Records will be extended back to pre-colonial times to produce a history of natural climate variability. The character and source of aerosol particles, currently a large uncertainty in greenhouse induced climate change, will be determined. Results will contribute to the modelling and predicting of future climate change and extreme weather events.

Website: www.ansto.gov.au
Contact: Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation, Environment Division - 02 9717 3209

CSIRO Research
$25.5 million in 2000-01

CSIRO is Australia's largest single performer of research related to the atmosphere and to greenhouse. The latter research ranges from understanding the underlying nature and science of climate change through to options for mitigation of greenhouse gas emissions, sink-related matters and many aspects of the impacts of, and adaptation to, climate change.

Websites: www.csiro.au/ (then follow the links to climate and atmosphere sector)
www.csiro.au/csiro/ghsolutions/index.html
Contacts: CSIRO Climate and Atmosphere Sector - 03 9239 4657
CSIRO Key Account Manager for Greenhouse - 03 9239 4550

Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre

The Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre conducts research on the meteorology of the Australian region and on the global climate system to improve our understanding of and ability to predict weather and climate. It also undertakes greenhouse research, contributing to the scientific assessment of climate change.

Website: www.bom.gov.au/bmrc
Contact: Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre - 03 9669 4444

Atmospheric Monitoring

The Bureau of Meteorology monitors Australia's weather and climate, and provides meteorological and related services which benefit Australia. The Bureau monitors global atmospheric composition, most notably via the Cape Grim Baseline Air Pollution Station, operated jointly with CSIRO. The Bureau also issues UV forecasts, air quality advice and seasonal climate outlooks.

Website: www.bom.gov.au
Contact: Bureau of Meteorology - 02 6274 1764

Biospheric Sources and Sinks for Greenhouse Gases
$0.5 million in 2000-01

The Bureau of Rural Sciences helps ensure that the best scientifically based information is available to meet Australia's international greenhouse obligations. This is achieved by working with state and Commonwealth agencies to develop nationally consistent data sets and models which can be used to manage sinks and sources of biospheric greenhouse gases, and to predict the likely impact of policy decisions on emission levels.

Website: www.brs.gov.au
Publication: National Carbon Accounting System Expert Workshop Report 23-25 June 1998
Contact: Bureau of Rural Sciences - 02 6272 4347

Coastal Climatology

The Australian Institute of Marine Science conducts research to gain a clearer picture of climate change and variability in tropical Australia. Researchers are interpreting the skeletal records of corals for historical climatic records of rainfall and temperature. These studies will allow researchers to link present assessments of our ecosystems' sensitivity to climate variations with the potential effects of climate changes in the future. Other research includes the role of tropical marine ecosystems as carbon sinks and the threat to coral reefs from more acidic water as atmospheric carbon dioxide is absorbed into the ocean. (See also Appendix 7 - Oceans.)

Website: www.aims.gov.au
Contact: Australian Institute of Marine Science - 07 4753 4444

Ozone Protection

Ozone Protection and Halon Bank
$4.9 million in 2000-01

The Ozone Protection Programme fulfils Australia's international obligations under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and enforces the Ozone Protection Act 1989. The Commonwealth works in consultation with industry, environmental and community groups, and state and territory governments to develop and implement phase-out strategies for ozone depleting substances such as halons, methyl bromide, hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons. The Commonwealth administers the Ozone Protection Act 1999 and manages the National Halon Bank, which supports the phase out of halon from the community and industry. The bank provides long-term storage for Australia's essential-use reserve of halon and will assist other countries in the region to develop strategies to meet halon and other ozone depleting substances' phase out targets.

Website: www.ea.gov.au/ozone
Publication: Revised Strategy for Ozone Protection in Australia 1994
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group - 02 6274 1481

Ozone Protection Reserve
$0.5 million in 2000-01

The Ozone Protection Reserve, which holds funds received as licence and activity fees under the Ozone Protection Act 1989, is used for expenditure on administration and enforcement of the Act and for information programmes to support the phase out of ozone depleting substances.

Website: www.ea.gov.au/ozone
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group - 02 6274 1481

Ozone Protection Act

Australian Federal Police provide assistance, as requested, to other agencies with primary responsibility to investigate breaches of the Ozone Protection Act 1989.

Contact: Australian Federal Police - 02 6275 7586

Air Quality

Air Pollution in Major Cities
$4.1 million in 2000-01

The Air Pollution in Major Cities Programme, funded under the Natural Heritage Trust, aims to reduce the impact of air pollution in urban areas from the six major air pollutants: oxides of nitrogen, particles, ozone (photochemical smog), carbon monoxide, oxides of sulfur and airborne lead. Initiatives include implementation of the Ambient Air Quality National Environment Protection Measure, development of the diesel vehicle emissions National Environment Protection Measure and the Clear the Air suite of projects including the Fuel Quality Review.

Website: www.environment.gov.au/epg/air_water.html#air
Publication: Clear the Air - Natural Heritage Trust Projects to Improve Urban Air Quality
Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group - 02 6274 1581
/ 02 6274 1890

Air Quality Management
$0.4 million in 2000-01

The Air Quality Management Programme funds projects that minimise the impact of air pollutants on the environment and human health. In the past this programme has funded lead abatement activities, including the national lead in paint campaign. In 2000-01 it will investigate ways of encouraging the uptake of ultra-low sulfur diesel and promoting the air quality benefits to be gained from implementing intelligent transport systems.

Contact: Environment Australia, Environment Protection Group - 02 6274 1890