Fed: Drop in greenhouse emissions countered by Vic coal-power
16 Mar 2009 2:35 AM
New data shows high petrol prices might be a bummer for motorists .. but they've brought down the country's greenhouse gas emissions.
Australia's emissions have been growing for years .. but this summer they came down just a little because of higher petrol prices .. which cut sales and pushed down emissions from petrol by four per cent.
However .. the green credit from using less petrol was almost completely wiped out by burning more coal because Australians used more electricity .. with Victoria's brown coal-fired power stations blamed.
UK-based research and lobbying organisation the Climate Group says overall emissions from coal .. gas and petrol dropped 0.1 per cent for Victoria .. New South Wales and Queensland .. compared to the summer before.
AAP RTV ca/ka/psm/