Canberrans asked to do 'heavy lifting' in battling climate change including give up cooking with gas

Canberrans are being asked to do more of the heavy lifting in combatting climate change — starting with giving up petrol-powered cars and gas-heated homes.

The ACT Government has floated trialling "car-free days" in some town centres.

The ACT Government has unashamedly asked the community to do more to help it reach the ambitious target of net zero carbon emissions by 2045, with transport and natural gas top of the list of targets.

Today, while launching the latest ACT Climate Change Strategy, the Government detailed plans to encourage Canberrans to ditch cars in favour of public transport, including participating in "car-free days", and trading in the gas heater for an electric air-conditioner.

Read the ABC News story by Tom Lowrey - “Canberrans asked to do 'heavy lifting' in battling climate change including give up cooking with gas.”

’Frankenstein’s monster': Energy plan may allow states to 'free ride’

States and territories that slash greenhouse gas emissions will likely do the heavy lifting while others would be allowed to do less under the Turnbull government’s update of its signature energy plan.

The federal government is seeking to combine climate
and energy policy in Australia for the first time.

Energy analysts raised concerns about the latest updated National Energy Guarantee, with one describing it as a "Frankenstein's monster" rather than a "light hand" of management.

The nation’s energy ministers discussed the blueprint on Friday afternoon ahead of a meeting in Sydney on August 10 where states and territories will be asked to sign up to the deal.

Read the story by Nicole Hasham, Peter Hannam and Cole Latimer from The Age - ”’Frankenstein’s monster': Energy plan may allow states to 'free ride’.”