Benchmark Study on Green Buildings - Royal Architectural Institute ...

the Australian Academy of Sciences. In May 2005 the Australian Government announced
renewed program funding of $30.7 million over four years. The effect of this funding is
magnified by contributions of equal value from CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology.
Australia is already recognized internationally for the quality of its climate change
science, and has the most comprehensive climate research program in southern
hemisphere.
Community Abatement Grants:
Community Abatement Grants of $28,000 are available to groupings of three or more
Cities for Climate Protection (CCP) Councils. Groups of CCP councils are required to
work in partnership to deliver projects that work with local households, businesses,
schools or community groups on greenhouse abatement initiatives to be able to obtain
this funding. The grants are designed to provide councils with access to specialist
services to prepare an emissions inventory and estimate emissions growth.
Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (GGAP):
The Australian Government’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement Program (GGAP) is playing
an important part in helping Australia meet its emissions reductions target. The GGAP
aims to reduce Australia’s net greenhouse gas emissions by supporting activities that are
likely to result in substantial emissions reductions or activities to offset greenhouse
emissions, particularly in the period between 2008 and 2012. The most recent emission
projections show that the GGAP will deliver an abatement of 6.1 million tonnes (Mt) of
carbon dioxide in 2010, which is equivalent to taking up to 1.2 million vehicles off the
road. The Program leverages private sector investment in activities or technologies
through projects. Examples of GGAP projects are based on co-generation (the use of
waste heat or steam from power production or industrial processes for power generation),
energy efficiency, travel demand management, alternative fuels, coal mine gas
technologies and fuel conversion. The three funding rounds of the GGAP have been
concluded, and no further funding rounds are being offered at this time.
Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund:
The $500 million Low Emissions Technology Demonstration Fund is a flagship initiative
of the Australian Government’s Energy White Paper: Securing Australia’s Energy Future.
The Fund will support the commercial demonstration of technologies that have the
potential to deliver large-scale greenhouse gas emission reductions in the energy sector; it
is designed to leverage $1 billion in additional private sector investment. Use of low
emissions technologies is a substantial element of the Australian Government’s climate
change strategy, enabling Australia to reduce the cost of meeting future greenhouse gas
emissions constraints without harming the competitiveness of its energy and energydependent
industries. The Fund is designed to address the risk and capital costs of
demonstrating low emissions technologies to ensure they are commercially viable in the
longer term. The Fund will operate from 2005-06 to 2019-20, with the first competitive
funding round in 2005-06. Subject to the outcome of round one, there may be further
funding rounds in 2008-09 and 2012-13. The Minister for the Environment and Heritage
and the Minister for Industry, Tourism and Resources are responsible for the Fund, and
will jointly approve grants. The Department of the Environment and Heritage and the
95