Greenhouse Gas Emissions

A response from the Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation) regarding greenhouse gas emissions.

In reply to the

Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (10 November 2010) (First Session).

I refer to Volume 3, page 966, relating to Activity 1: Cabinet Office. The Premier wrote in January 2008 to all of his parliamentary colleagues, myself included, advising that South Australia had the first carbon-neutral cabinet. At the time, the minister wrote that the Premier and ministers would need to offset 3,000 tonnes of CO² at a cost of $60,000. Can the Premier advise how much this program is now costing and who was the successful tenderer for the program?

The Hon. I.K. HUNTER (Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation, Minister for Water and the River Murray, Minister for Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation): As Minister for Sustainability, Environment and Conservation I am advised that all of the greenhouse gas emissions from ministerial air travel, SA Fleet vehicle usage and electricity and gas use in ministerial offices and electorate offices have been offset. Between 2007-08 and 2011-12, the SA government has purchased nationally accredited carbon offsets equalling 11,800 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent costing $78,078. Fieldforce Services, Greenfleet, Low Energy Supplies and Services, and Pangolin Associates have provided these nationally recognised carbon offsets for the government. A number of factors, including volatile carbon offset prices and changing emissions, have created differing purchase costs over time.