Beyond Zero Emissions

A research paper which demonstrates how Australian buildings could be retrofitted to produce zero carbon emissions over a span of 10 years. This would be achieved by energy efficiency measures and reducing domestic gas consumption to zero, using existing technology such as induction cooktops and heat pumps for heating and cooling. It includes specific recommendations for all building and climate types in Australia. If implemented, it would reduce energy consumption from Australian buildings by approximately 75%. Of course it would be expensive, but no more than business as usual when the cost of energy is included, and possibly cheaper. Implementing the scheme would also reduce by about 10% the cost of the related Zero Carbon Australia Stationary Energy Plan, due to demand reduction.

I heartily approve of this fully costed, well-estimated plan. What it does not include are the politics or logistics (human resources, for example) required to make it a reality -- but those factors were out of scope of the report. Politics, fair enough to leave it out of scope (although of course it is a predominant factor in whether such a plan is ever implemented), but I would have liked to see more about the logistical feasibility of rolling out a nationwide construction scheme in a relatively short time.

The companion Stationary Energy Plan (published in 2010) was inspiring; it showed that a zero carbon future *could* be realised, and put a price on it. By comparison this building plan aims lower and paradoxically seems even less achievable politically.… (meer)