Energy Emissions increases approved by regulator may wipe out $260m of Direct Action cuts Exclusive: Nearly 60 industrial sites get green light to increase emissions, cancelling out cuts paid for by Coalition using public money Citic Pacific’s Sino Iron project in the Pilbara is among the industrial sites that have been allowed to increase emissions under the safeguard mechanism. But an analysis of data on the regulator’s website by consultants RepuTex Carbon found the regulator had simultaneously allowed 57 industrial sites to increase emissions above their previous highest level. Based on the average price paid by the government – $11.90 per tonne of carbon dioxide – it would effectively cancel out up to $261.8m of emissions cuts a year. “It’s black and white – if industrial emissions are not resolved, we won’t meet our Paris commitments,” he said. The growth in industrial emissions suggests deeper cuts would be needed in other parts of the economy for that commitment to be met.

Source: The Guardian February 18, 2018 16:52 UTC