Vehicle Emissions Discussion Paper

The Ministerial Forum on Vehicle Emissions, established by the Turnbull Government to review Australia’s regulatory framework for vehicle emissions, has today issued a discussion paper which sets out the issues under examination and calls for comment.

Minister for Major Projects Paul Fletcher, chair of the Ministerial Forum, said the discussion paper outlines the benefits of reducing emissions, including lower fuel bills, better air quality and improved health outcomes for Australians.

‘The issues are complex and interrelated. That is why we have established this Ministerial Forum, to bring together the perspectives of the transport and infrastructure, energy and environment portfolios,” Mr Fletcher said.

Minister for the Environment, Greg Hunt, said that the Australian Government was considering potential options to reduce both noxious emissions and carbon dioxide emissions from vehicles.

“Around 17 per cent Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions are from transport. In cities such as Sydney on-road motor-vehicles can contribute around 60 per cent of some noxious air pollutants. The paper examines options for improving standards for air pollutants and fuel efficiency (CO2) standards, ways to better educate and inform consumers, alternative fuels and electric vehicles, the use of incentives and bolstering emissions testing arrangements,” Mr Hunt said.

The discussion paper also takes stock of action on vehicle emissions in Australia to date and discusses ways to harmonise with international standards in this area.

Minister for Resources, Energy and Northern Australia, Josh Frydenberg, emphasised the significance of better vehicle fuel efficiency in achieving Australia’s national energy productivity target.

“The release of this discussion paper recognises the importance of reducing vehicle emissions in reaching the Government’s target of increasing energy productivity by 40 per cent by 2030,” Minister Frydenberg said.

The discussion paper also looks at measures the Government can take to better inform consumers on the fuel efficiency and environmental performance of new vehicles sold in Australia. 

The Ministerial Forum is supported by an interdepartmental working group to coordinate a whole-of-Australian-Government approach.

The Forum held an initial stakeholder consultation meeting in December 2015, and feedback from that meeting has been reflected in the discussion paper.

The interdepartmental working group will report to the Ministerial Forum in June 2016 on ways to address vehicle emissions.

The discussion paper can be viewed at https://infrastructure.gov.au/roads/environment/forum/index.aspx