Australian households are under pressure to improve energy efficiency after the release of a new report.
The Climate Institute says up to 75 per cent of energy used could be saved through simple cost cutting measures like better appliances or new light globes.
Federal Climate Change Minister Penny Wong says the government is already addressing the issue.
“We know that to tackle climate change we need a whole of economy reform to reduce our carbon pollution across the economy,” she told LIVENEWS.com.au
“That’s why the government has committed a billion dollars already in energy efficiency measures and that’s why we will be introducing a comprehensive carbon pollution reduction scheme.”
Earlier
Almost three quarters of energy used by Australian households could be saved through simple measures like a better light globe according to a new report.
A dependence on energy-guzzling appliances and petrol-powered travel has been blamed for the nation's poor effort in energy-saving.
According to a Climate Institute report, Australia is the third most energy hungry economy, behind Canada and the United States.
Households are being told they can save almost 80 percent of the energy used in their homes by using efficient appliances.
John Conner from the Climate Institute says there are a number of things that make us very inefficient.
“There’s been a dramatic rise in the number of appliances like TV screens, to Playstations and light fixtures…
“A lot of energy consumption is rising to those appliances, and we’ve seen very poor building standards within building, very inefficient buildings both at home and at work.”
Businesses too can make a difference - the report suggests they could do the same job they're doing now and still improve efficiency.
But the report could prove damning for the Government's Emissions Trading Scheme - the Climate Institute director says unless individuals pick up their game, there'll be no savings.