What you need to know
The Australian Government is providing Australian households and businesses with economical solutions to live and work more sustainably. A number of key topics include:
- Appliances and equipment
- The Australian Government is working with the states and territories, and New Zealand, to achieve reductions
in energy use from electrical products. This is achieved through the mandatory Minimum Energy Performance
Standards (MEPS) and Energy Rating Labels (ERLs)—the familiar star labels that have been used to compare a
range of electrical goods for twenty five years.
- Buildings
- The energy used by Australian buildings accounts for approximately 20 per cent of Australia's greenhouse gas
emissions, split fairly evenly between homes and commercial buildings. The Australian Government is working with
the states and territories on a range of building initiatives aimed at reducing these emissions.
- Lighting
- The Australian Government is working with the states and territories to gradually phase out all inefficient
incandescent light bulbs.
- Renewable energy
- Renewable energy is an essential part of Australia's low emissions energy mix and is important to Australia's
energy security. Australian Government support for renewable energy assists industry development, reduces barriers
to the national electricity market, and provides community access to renewable energy.