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Australians have been aware of the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions for several decades. One element of the energy transition is the decarbonisation of natural gas distribution networks (GDNs). Natural gas (methane) is a greenhouse gas that, when combusted, produces carbon dioxide, another greenhouse gas. Most of the gas that flows through gas networks will be combusted (some is used as a feedstock for chemical processes) and thus contribute to climate change. Methane that leaks from gas pipelines contributes directly to climate change as well.
In recent years Retailer Certificate Schemes (RCSs) have become a popular tool for Australian governments to deliver energy policy goals without having to directly fund them. The first of these was the Renewable Energy Target (RET) established in 2001. Towards the end of the 2000s several jurisdictions introduced energy efficiency RCSs. More recently, some governments have consulted on the introduction of RCSs aimed at supporting renewable fuels such as green hydrogen and biogas.
The Australian Capital Territory’s (ACT’s) “100% renewables policy” is old news. Legislated in 2011, it largely took the form of the government striking a series of feed-in tariffs (FiTs) with renewable generators until it had procured enough capacity to deliver energy equivalent to top-up the ACT’s actual share of renewable generation to at least 100% of its overall electricity consumption. Some of the FiTs are with household and commercial scale rooftop solar, but most of the generation comes from large-scale projects.