Climate change and carbon issues

The Victorian brown coal industry is responsible for around 10 per cent of Australia's total CO2  (carbon) emissions, and around 63 per cent of Victoria's carbon emissions.

While power generation techniques have become more efficient over time, brown coal remains slightly less energy efficient than black coal. For this reason, the Latrobe Valley generators are actively involved in a range of greenhouse gas abatement measures, including:

Ultimately, the industry acknowledges that new technologies and different ways of utilising the brown coal resource will be required to continue to meet changing regulatory and community standards relating to carbon emissions.

The industry also stands ready to play its part in meeting the 20 per cent reduction in greenhouse gasses by 2020 target, set by the State Government. This is why it is already involved in a range of projects that will help deliver lower emissions energy, and support the transition to a more sustainable energy supply.