Sustainable transport energy
This section of the Department's website outlines the challenges that we face in moving to a more sustainable transport energy future, and describes some of the initiatives that are being pursued to make this future a reality.
Index
Overview
Transport is central to our way of life and enables us to access employment, goods, services and social opportunities. However, transport activities also have considerable environmental impacts; a lot of energy is required to move us around and the burning of fossil fuels for transport (and other activities) has been identified as a major contributor to climate change.This, combined with growing concerns about future oil supplies, indicates that current patterns of transport energy use are likely to prove unsustainable. New approaches to meeting our transport energy needs will be required.
The challenge
The burning of fossil fuels to produce energy for transport is contributing to an unprecedented increase in greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. A growing body of scientific evidence suggests that unless urgent action is taken, this will result in serious environmental, economic and social impacts.The challenge for WA is particularly acute;
- We are among the world's highest producers of greenhouse gases per head of population, at about 33 tonnes per person per year.
- 14% of WA's total greenhouse emissions arise from the transport sector.
- Transport related greenhouse gas emissions have increased 33% between 1990 and 2006, up from 6.7 million tonnes (Mt) to 8.9 Mt (see Department of Climate Change link below).
- 76 per cent of WA's transport related greenhouse gas emissions come from road transport (ie cars and trucks).
- The average fuel efficiency of the Australian vehicle fleet has increased only slightly (about 10%) since the 1970's. This is because gains made by improved engine efficiency have been offset by increased demand for bigger and more powerful cars.
- The overwhelming trend in WA over the past 30 years has been the increasing dominance of the motor vehicle for both people and freight movement.
- Even with a high quality public transport system, over 82% of journeys in Perth are made using motorised private transport.
- The total daily vehicle kilometres travelled in Perth has increased by around 50% between 1991 and 2004 (see State of the Environment 2007).
- WA has the highest rate of car ownership, at 777 vehicles per 1000 people (Australian Bureau of Statistics).
- Given its high level of private vehicle use and ownership, WA will be particularly vulnerable to any decline in oil production and associated price increases.
 Department of Climate Change
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Solutions
There is no single solution to the challenge of sustainable transport energy. In recognising this, the Department is working to identify and promote long term and holistic strategies to address the complex problems facing the transport sector. The Department is also facilitating the take up of cleaner new vehicle technologies and alternative fuels, while also promoting fuel efficiency in the transport sector.Examples of State Government's initiatives relating to transport emissions include:
- Expanding and investing in the Perth passenger rail network (including the Mandurah rail line, link to Public Transport Authority below);
- Conducting the Perth Hydrogen Fuel Cell Bus Trial;
- Trialling bio-fuels in Transperth buses;
- Ensuring that Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) powers all new buses purchased for the Transperth bus fleet;
- Developing new WA Government Fleet Policy and Guidelines, which require agencies to select passenger vehicles with a CO2 emissions rating not exceeding 215 g/km. More information on this policy can be found at the website of the Department of Finance on the Buyer Publications page. The Green Vehicle Guide provides examples of vehicles with a 215g/km emission rating.
- Introducing a Green Taxi scheme in Perth;
At the national level, the Western Australian Minister for Transport chairs the Australian Transport Council's Climate Change, Environment and Energy Working Group. The Department provides secretariat support for this group, which is looking at national level initiatives to improve the energy efficiency and environmental performance of Australia's transport sector.
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Department of Finance - buyer publications
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Green Vehicle Guide
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Public Transport Authority
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