Because energy commodities are a major source of export earnings in Australia, development of these resources in a sustainable manner is a primary policy goal of the government. Improving end-use efficiency in various economic sectors remains a key element of Australia’s sustainable energy policy, as does the utilization of renewable energy resources. Australia’s Mandatory Renewable Energy Target (MRET) mandates that 9.5 Bkwh of total electricity generation come from renewable sources by 2010.

In 2004, Australia accounted for 1.4 percent of the world’s total energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Although coal constitutes a major part of Australia’s energy mix, increasing urban air pollution levels are more a consequence of automobile usage than coal consumption.

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