Climate change threatens the human, economic, and environmental future of Australia. Temperatures are set to rise by up to 6°C by 2100 unless we act now. Even a 1°C rise would see drought increase by up to 70 per cent in NSW, and regular bleaching of over half of the Great Barrier Reef. The actions we take, or fail to take, in the next five years will decide whether we cross the threshold of dangerous climate change.  

Changing the way that our electricity is produced is one of the actions that we can take to help avert dangerous climate change.  That’s because electricity is one of the biggest and fastest growing contributors to Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions.  It accounts for 35% (or 195 million tonnes per year) of our greenhouse gas emissions.  This is because most of our electricity is produced by burning fossil fuels such as coal and gas.  These emissions are rising rapidly, by 66% since 1990.

We can reduce these emissions by becoming more energy efficient and by switching to renewable energy.  At present, only about 8% of our electricity comes from renewable sources, despite Australia having excellent wind and solar resources.  A Bright Future: 25% Renewable Energy for Australia by 2020 shows us how Australia can produce 25% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2020.

In the meantime, individuals and businesses can switch to new renewable energy right now by switching to accredited GreenPower electricity.  You can also reduce your emissions, and your electricity bills, by using electricity more efficiently.  See Energy Savings Tips to see how.

Australians can also lobby for renewable energy targets; an emissions trading scheme which improves the economic prospects for clean industry; and support government moves for measures to save energy by improving energy efficiency in houses, factories, commercial buildings and appliances.

Why change to GreenPower

 Accredited GreenPower is new renewable generation that reduces both your own and Australia's greenhouse emissions.  The more you buy, the more you reduce your greenhouse footprint and the bigger your contribution to combating global warming.

We recommend:

DO BUY accredited GreenPower with the most stars in our survey AND as close to 100% as you can afford.
DON’T BUY ‘green’ electricity products unless they contain accredited GreenPower
DON’T TAKE ANY NOTICE of the description ‘renewable’ unless it’s accredited

The Green Electricity Watch survey scores products based on which products do the most for the environment.  The more stars the product has, the better it is. The score is based on:

• How much the product increases renewable energy in Australia.
• How clear is the information given, including the web, call centres, and printed materials.
• How much has the retailer increased the uptake of GreenPower.
• What is the proportion of accredited GreenPower in the product.

See the results of the 2007 survey

Read the Green Electricity Watch 2007 report which outlines how the survey was carried out and the methodology used.