The emissions of greenhouse gas in Australia dropped the previous year to a level that was not observed in over 30 years mainly due to the Covid-19 pandemic that suspended burning of fossil fuel in transport sector as well as lowered economic activity.
The new government data issued on Monday reveals the sectors where the emissions dropped majorly last year because of factors that were beyond the control of the government.
In last quarter of 2020, transport emissions, including rail, road movements and domestic air commute, increased by 11 percent in last three months, showing the easing of lockdown mandates and rise in domestic air commute.
The rising wind and solar energy levels was pushing out the coal in electricity sector, which accounts for 1/3rd of the nation’s emissions.
The emissions under this sector presently have dropped by 21 percent since the year 2009. A pleasant December meant that people had utilized less of power for cooling, helping reduce the emissions further.
However, the data from the energy department states that long-term trend for the other high emitting segments are moving towards the wrong way.
The data of the department, since the year 1990, shows annual energy utilized majorly for producing goods in the heavy industries has increased by 52 percent and the transport emission have increase by 43 percent.