The independent Climate Institute today expressed disappointment at the Federal Government’s decision to delay the introduction of the Tax Breaks for Green Buildings program, and called for a new National Energy Savings Initiative to be implemented alongside a carbon pollution price.

"The decision to delay the Green Buildings program is disappointing and raises the bar for the package of measures to come with the carbon pricing mechanism’, said John Connor, Climate Institute CEO.

"Australian households and businesses continue to be let down by inaction and delays on energy efficiency, which effectively means we are all paying more on our power bills than we should be."

The Government needs to act to fill policy the vacuum that currently exists on energy efficiency. As recommended by the Prime Minister’s Task Group on Energy Efficiency, this should include the establishment of a National Energy Savings Initiative to operate alongside a carbon pollution price.

The Task Group estimates this initiative would reduce household energy bills by as much as $296 a year and save up to $12 billion through deferred infrastructure costs.¹

“On energy efficiency Australia lags well behind our key trading partners. Improving energy efficiency, across all sectors of the economy, is long overdue and critical to ensure the long-term global competitiveness and productivity of a range of sectors from manufacturing to mining.”

“Strong energy efficiency policies could deliver financial savings to households and businesses as well as sparking investment, innovation and job creation,” he said.

The delayed Tax Breaks for Green Buildings Program will further delay a much needed incentive for energy efficiency in the buildings sector, which account for around 18% of Australia’s carbon pollution. ClimateWorks estimate that commercial building retrofits – including those to be supported through the Tax Breaks for Green Buildings Program – could reduce pollution by around 14 million tonnes a year by 2020.

¹MMA, 2010 - Electricity and Gas Market Benefits and Costs of an Energy Efficiency Obligation Scheme


For further information:
Harriet Binet | Communications Director, The Climate Institute | 02 8239 6299