Carbon Commitee WA

While waste represents a relatively small percentage of Australia’s national emissions inventory (2-3%), appropriate action to reduce emissions from all areas of the waste sector will be a critical abatement driver to other sectors whose activities embody significant quantities of energy into the waste stream.

The forthcoming Australian Emissions Trading Scheme will be enacted in 2010 and there is significant uncertainty regarding the status of the waste sector within this new regulatory regime. There are significant implications to the waste sector from either being in a “capped” sector or remaining outside, with each scenario presenting a different set of liabilities and opportunities. Emission trading scheme design and greenhouse gas reporting is a complex and emerging discipline that requires focus and expertise to address the issues from a sectorial perspective.

• To advance the science, strategies and public policy of waste management as they relate to Climate Change.
• To act as a facilitator and coordinator of carbon related advocacy, policy, projects, consultation and information dissemination within the WMAA and its stakeholder groups.
• Provide a focus for the development of strategies to abate emissions and interact with the forthcoming Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (AETS), National Greenhouse & Energy Reporting Scheme (NGERS) and within an economy that will become increasingly carbon constrained.

1. Develop and articulate a policy framework that reflects the interests of all members.
2. Provide a conduit for industry to respond to legislation and regulation.
3. Provide access to a range of skills and resources.
4. Promote the benefits and importance of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission data collection and reporting to all members.
5. Improve all member’s understanding and implications of an Australian Emissions Trading Scheme (AETS) and the broader “Carbon Economy”.
6. Explore opportunities to significantly reduce GHG emissions from all activities within the waste sector from generation to disposal.

1. Committee members contributed presentations to a Carbon Forum for Local Government.
2. Contributed to National Carbon Committee’s submission to the Garnaut Review Discussion Paper on Emissions Trading
3. Hosted Carbon Seminar 21 May 2008: Climate Change & The Waste Sector: Opportunities & Liabilities
4. Issued a formal request to commence a dialogue with the Department of Environment Sustainability Branch in relation to optimising the waste sector’s response to climate change and climate change legislation.