Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Wet Tropics Region: A ... · 8. On the other hand, transport emissions in Wet Tropics Region (7.2 tonnes / capita) are very high compared to Queensland

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Wet Tropics Region:A Preliminary Inventory

A report prepared for the Wet Tropics Management Authority

(as part of the North Queensland Climate Alliance)

Prepared by:

Marsden Jacob Associates Financial & Economic Consultants ABN 66 663 324 657 ACN 072 233 204 Internet: http://www.marsdenjacob.com.au E-mail: [email protected] Melbourne office: Postal address: Level 3, 683 Burke Road, Camberwell Victoria 3124 AUSTRALIA Telephone: +61 (0) 3 9882 1600 Facsimile: +61 (0) 3 9882 1300 Brisbane office: Level 5, 100 Eagle St, Brisbane Queensland, 4000 AUSTRALIA Telephone: +61 (0) 7 3229 7701 Facsimile: +61 (0) 7 3229 7944 Author: Peter Kinrade

This report has been prepared in accordance with the scope of services described in the contract or agreement between Marsden Jacob Associates Pty Ltd ACN 072 233 204 (MJA) and the Client. Any findings, conclusions or recommendations only apply to the aforementioned circumstances and no greater reliance should be assumed or drawn by the Client. Furthermore, the report has been prepared solely for use by the Client and Marsden Jacob Associates accepts no responsibility for its use by other parties.

Copyright © Marsden Jacob Associates Pty Ltd 2007

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

Summary...................................................................................................................................i

1. Introduction......................................................................................................................1

2. Methods and Data............................................................................................................3 2.1.Key references ............................................................................................................3 2.2.Scope and coverage of greenhouse gas emissions ...................................................3 2.3.Data sources and uncertainty......................................................................................5

3. Inventory ..........................................................................................................................7 3.1.Overview......................................................................................................................7 3.2.Stationary Energy........................................................................................................9 3.3.Transport Energy.......................................................................................................10 3.4.Agriculture .................................................................................................................10 3.5.Land Use Change .....................................................................................................12 3.6.Waste ....................................................................................................................13 3.7.Industrial Processes ..................................................................................................13

4. Discussion .....................................................................................................................15

References.............................................................................................................................17

Appendices............................................................................................................................19

North Queensland Climate Alliance Wet Tropics Region Emissions Inventory

ES.i

Summary

1. This report presents a preliminary inventory of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Wet Tropics region of Queensland, Australia. For the purpose of this study, the region comprises the local government areas of: Atherton Shire; Cairns City; Cardwell Shire; Douglas Shire; Eacham Shire; Herberton Shire; Hinchinbrook Shire; Johnstone Shire; and Mareeba Shire.

2. GHG emissions estimates are presented for 2005 only and emission data is not complete for all emission sources and all greenhouse gases. There are also considerable uncertainties associated with the estimates. Nevertheless, the inventory is likely to provide a reasonably reliable indication of the level and major sources of GHG emissions in the region.

3. The main sectoral sources of GHGs presented in Australia’s national and state GHG inventories and used in this study are: stationary energy; transport; fugitive fuels; agriculture; land use change & forestry; waste; and industrial processes.

4. In 2005, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the study region are estimated to have been approximately 4,185 kilotonnes (CO2-e) of direct emissions, or 5,145 kilotonnes when indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity are included. Table ES.1 provides a breakdown of these totals by sector.

Table ES.1: Wet Tropics Region Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2005

SectorEmissions(kt CO2-e)

Per Capita Emissions

(tonnes CO2-e)Stationary energy 1,270 5.8 direct 310 1.4 indirect (purchased electricity) 960 4.4Transport 1,579 7.2Fugitive fuels 0 0.0Agriculture 952 4.4Land use change & forestry (net) 1,129 5.2Waste 140 0.6Industrial processes 74 0.3Total direct (scope 1) 4,185 19.2Total direct & indirect (scope 1 & 2) 5,145 23.6

5. Four sectors: transport; stationary energy; land use change; and agriculture dominate, being responsible for an estimated 96 % of the region’s emissions. Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas, being responsible for 74 % of the region’s emissions, followed by methane (17 %) and nitrous oxide (8 %).

6. Per capita emissions in the Wet Tropics Region were less than average per capita Australian emissions of 28.2 tonnes in 2005 and substantially below per capita emissions in Queensland of 38.9 tonnes for the same period. However, they are almost


ES.ii

70 % greater than average per capita emissions for industrialised countries subject to emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol.

7. Low stationary energy emissions in the Wet Tropics Region (5.8 tonnes / capita) compared to Queensland (16 tonnes / capita) and Australia (14.1 tonnes / capita) is the major factor explaining low total per capita emissions in the region relative to Queensland and Australia.

8. On the other hand, transport emissions in Wet Tropics Region (7.2 tonnes / capita) are very high compared to Queensland and Australia (4.6 and 4.0 tonnes / capita respectively). Land use change emissions and agriculture emissions in the Wet Tropics Region are also moderately high compared with other regions in Australia.

9. Differences between the emissions profile of the Wet Tropics Region, Queensland and Australia point to important considerations when framing emission abatement policies. In particular, there is a need for effective integration of GHG mitigation policies at the national, state and local levels.


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1. Introduction

This report presents a preliminary inventory of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the Wet Tropics region of Queensland, Australia. The inventory has been compiled for the North Queensland Climate Alliance drawing on national and international guidelines for the estimation and reporting of GHG emissions established by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and the Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO).

For the purpose of the study, the Wet Tropics region is defined geographically as comprising the following local government areas:

Atherton Shire; Cairns City; Cardwell Shire; Douglas Shire; Eacham Shire; Herberton Shire; Hinchinbrook Shire; Johnstone Shire; and Mareeba Shire.

(see Figure 1)

Figure 1: Wet Tropics Region Study Area

Douglas

Cairns

Herberton

Eacham

Johnstone

Cardwell

Mareeba

Hinchinbrook


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The inventory is described as ‘preliminary’ since:

GHG emissions estimates are presented for a single year only (2005) – trend data is not provided;

emission data is not complete for all emission sources and all greenhouse gases (as defined in the IPCC and AGO guidelines), although our judgement is that <1 percent of regional emissions are excluded from the inventory; and

in some cases, emission estimates are likely to have a higher level of uncertainty than similar estimates in say Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory (NGGI), due to a lack of reliable, regionally specific activity data and/or emission factors.

This last point also reflects the current status of GHG emission monitoring in Australia and internationally. Methodologies are now well documented for national and state and territory emissions inventories (NGGI 2006a; NGGI 2006b). Estimation and reporting processes for emissions generated at the industry or organisational level are now also well established (AGO 2006; WRI 2005). However, established methodologies do not currently exist for estimating and reporting sub-regional or local geographic area emissions and to our knowledge, a regional inventory of the type set out in this report has not previously been compiled for other regions in Australia.


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2. Methods and Data

2.1. Key references

As noted in the introduction, the methods used to estimate GHG emissions in the Wet Tropics Region are consistent with national and international guidelines, principally:

Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005 series (NGGI 2006a); and

Revised 1996 Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories (IPCC 1997).

Two guides compiled specifically to assist with estimating and reporting of GHG emissions at the organisational level have also been referenced for this inventory. They are:

AGO Methods and Factors Workbook (AGO 2006); and

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (WRI/BCSD 2005).

The use of these last two guides reflects the fact that there are issues specific to estimating emissions at an organisational level that are also relevant to regional level emissions estimation.

2.2. Scope and coverage of greenhouse gas emissions

2.2.1. Scope

The AGO Factors and Methods Workbook (AGO 2006) and The GHG Protocol (WRI/BCSD 2005) define three categories or ‘scopes’ of GHG emissions for an organisation estimating and reporting its GHG emissions:

Scope 1 covers direct emissions resulting from activities undertaken within the boundary of an organisation such as fuel combustion and agricultural activities.

Scope 2 covers indirect emissions from the consumption of purchased electricity, steam or heat produced by another organisation. Scope 2 emissions result from the combustion of fuel to generate the electricity, steam or heat and do not include emissions associated with the production of fuel.

Scope 3 includes all other indirect emissions that are a consequence of an organisation’s activities but are not from sources owned or controlled by the organisation. They can include emissions associated with the production and transport of fuels used by an organisation, as well as products manufactured elsewhere but used in an organisation’s processes.

Organisations are encouraged to estimate and report on all three scopes.

In effect, only Scope 1 emissions are calculated in state and territory GHG emission inventories. Thus only direct emissions associated with activities undertaken within the boundaries of the state are included in the inventory. The rationale for this approach is clear


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– it avoids double counting when state level emissions are aggregated to the national level. Correct application of the same principle to estimating GHG emissions for the Wet Tropics Region would mean that only direct emissions associated with activities undertaken within the region (Scope 1) are included. That approach would ensure that should GHG emissions be assessed across all regions in Queensland in the future, double counting is avoided when aggregating regional level emissions to state and national levels. A drawback of rigidly applying this principle in the case of this study is that activities undertaken within the Wet Tropics region that are indirectly causing emissions elsewhere in Queensland or Australia will be overlooked. This is of particular significance with respect to electricity consumed within the region but generated elsewhere in Queensland (Scope 2 emissions).

On balance, given these competing principles, the most appropriate approach for this study is to estimate and present both Scope 1 emissions (direct regional emissions) and Scope 2 emissions (indirect emissions associated with the purchase of electricity from outside of the region)1.

2.2.2. Greenhouse gases and sectors

Under the UNFCCC and Kyoto accounting and reporting framework six direct greenhouse gases (GHGs) or groups of GHGs are required to be estimated and reported. They are:

Carbon dioxide (CO2);

Methane (CH4);

Nitrous oxide (N2O);

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs);

Perfluorocarbons (PFCs); and

Sulphurhexafluoride (SF6).

Emissions of PFCs and SF6 in the Wet Tropics Region are considered to be immaterial and are therefore not reported in the regional inventory. Indirect GHGs such as carbon monoxide and non-methane volatile organic compounds are also not estimated.

All other greenhouses gases are estimated and reported in CO2 equivalent (CO2-e) terms. This is done by multiplying the estimated quantity of a greenhouse gas by its Global Warming Potential (GWP). The GWP of the main GHGs estimated in this inventory are presented in Table 1.

1 Note, it is not feasible to include Scope 3 emissions in this study. That would require tracking the movement of

people, goods and services into and out of the region.


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Table 1: Global Warming Potential of GHGs Estimated in this Study

Gas IPCC Global Warming Potential (GWP)

Carbon dioxide (CO2) 1

Methane (CH4) 21

Nitrous oxide (N2O) 310

HFC134a 1300

R410a (HFC125, HFC32) 1610

The main sectoral sources of GHGs presented in Australia’s national and state GHG inventories are:

Stationary energy;

Transport;

Fugitive fuels;

Agriculture;

Land use change & forestry;

Waste; and

Industrial processes.

The same sectors are used in this study, although fugitive fuel emissions are estimated to be immaterial in the Wet Tropics region.

2.3. Data sources and uncertainty

2.3.1. Data sources

In general terms, GHG emissions are calculated as the product of an emission producing activity and an associated emission factor (expressed as emissions per unit of activity).

Emissions factors (EFs) used in this study are all default values that have been drawn from either the Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005 series (NGGI 2006a) or the AGO Methods and Factors Workbook (AGO 2006). Where the NGGI presents a range of default EFs due to state or regional differences in the relevant activity, Queensland default values have been used or otherwise regional default values that are deemed to most closely match the characteristics of the Wet Tropics region.

Activity data has been sourced from a wide range of national, state, regional and local sources. The specific sources are discussed with each group of sectoral emissions estimates presented in Chapter 3 and Appendix 1.


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2.3.2. Data uncertainty

The Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory report (AGO 2007) notes that uncertainty is inherent within any kind of estimation. It suggests that uncertainty surrounding the Australia’s national inventory estimates levels for 2005 is at ±4% overall, with relatively low uncertainty levels for carbon dioxide from energy consumption but significantly higher uncertainty for carbon dioxide in the land use change sector and for other greenhouse gases, especially in the agricultural sector.

It is anticipated that the level of uncertainty associated with emission estimates for the Wet tropics region will be at least as great as for the national inventory overall, quite possibly significantly greater. This is because a relatively high proportion of GHGs in the Wet Tropics region are in the agriculture and use change sectors. Also, as previously noted, a great deal of uncertainty is associated with regional level activity data in many sectors. Land use change emissions are especially uncertain due both to uncertain activity data estimates and to the methodology applied to this initial assessment (see section 3.5).


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3. Inventory

3.1. Overview

In 2005, anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the study region are estimated to have been approximately 4,185 kilotonnes (CO2-e) of direct emissions, or 5,145 kilotonnes when indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity are included. Table 2 provides a breakdown of these totals by sector.

Table 2: Wet Tropics Region Greenhouse Gas Emissions, 2005

SectorEmissions(kt CO2-e)

Per Capita Emissions

(tonnes CO2-e)Stationary energy 1,270 5.8 direct 310 1.4 indirect (purchased electricity) 960 4.4Transport 1,579 7.2Fugitive fuels 0 0.0Agriculture 952 4.4Land use change & forestry (net) 1,129 5.2Waste 140 0.6Industrial processes 74 0.3Total direct (scope 1) 4,185 19.2Total direct & indirect (scope 1 & 2) 5,145 23.6

As discussed in the previous section, there are a few gaps in the estimates provided in these totals, although these are considered to be minor (< 1 percent of total emissions). There is also considerable uncertainty with the estimates, especially with respect to land use change and forestry emissions.

Notwithstanding these gaps and uncertainties, the information in the table is likely to provide a reasonably reliable indication of the level and major sources of GHG emissions in the region.

Figure 2 provides a percentage breakdown of direct and indirect GHGs emissions in the Wet Tropics Region, by source. Four sectors: transport; stationary energy; land use change; and agriculture dominate, being responsible for an estimated 96 % of the region’s emissions. Carbon dioxide is the dominant greenhouse gas (Figure 3), being responsible for 74 % of the region’s emissions, followed by methane (17 %) and nitrous oxide (8 %).


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Figure 2: Breakdown of Wet Tropics Region Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Source

(5,145 kt CO2-e)

Stationary energy25%

Transport30%Fugitive fuels

0%

Agriculture19%

Land use change22%

Waste3%

Industrial processes1%

Figure 3: Breakdown of Wet Tropics Region Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Greenhouse Gas

(5,145 kt CO2-e)

Other1%

Nitrous oxide (N2O)8%

Methane (CH4)17%

Carbon dioxide (CO2)74%

The following sections provide a more detailed discussion of the main sources of GHG emissions in the Wet Tropics Region. A comparison of the region’s emissions with state and national emissions then follows in section 4.


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3.2. Stationary Energy

Table 3 provides an overview of GHG emissions from the stationary energy sector in the Wet Tropics Region. In 2005, direct emissions associated with fuels consumed in the region (Scope 1) were approximately 310,000 tonnes of CO2-e. Indirect emissions associated with electricity purchased from the grid but generated outside of the region (Scope 2) were an additional 960,000 tonnes. Thus total Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions from the stationary energy sector were approximately 1,270,000 tonnes in 2005.

Table 3: Wet Tropics Region: Emissions from the Stationary Energy Sector, 2005 Scope 1 & Scope 2

Fuel typePrimary

unit

Quantity of fuel consumed

primary unit

CO2

emissions(t CO2)

CH4

emissions(t CO2-e)

N2O emissions

(t CO2-e)

Total emissions

(t CO2-e)

Electricity - hydro MWh 1,111,000 0 0 0 0

Electricity - wind MWh 28,000 0 0 0 0

Bagasse tonnes 1,924,000 0 18,470 9,235 27,706

LPG kL 16,500 25,593 605 259 26,458

Diesel oil kL 86,400 204,481 414 177 205,072

Fuel oil kL 17,000 50,538 108 55 50,701

Total Scope 1 (direct) 280,612 19,597 9,727 309,936Net electricity purchased from grid MWh 1,062,600 960,165

Total Scope 1 & Scope 2 1,270,102

The principal source of direct emissions in the stationary energy sector was (non-transport) diesel oil consumed in the commercial fishing, agriculture and commercial and government sectors. There are a number of electricity generation facilities located in the Wet Tropics region including hydro electric (Barron Gorge, Kareeya and Koombooloomba). These are assumed to have a direct emissions factor of zero, as does the wind farm located at Windy Hill. Bagasse is used as the primary feedstock for numerous co-generation facilities located in the region. Under the NGGI framework the CO2 emissions factor associated with the combustion of bagasse is zero (with any net emissions associated with growing and harvesting of the cane being included under Land Use Change). However, combustion of the bagasse does generate small quantities of methane and nitrous oxide.

Indirect (Scope 2) emissions have been calculated based on the purchase of an estimated 1,709,000 MWh of electricity from the grid in the region in 2005. Of this total, an estimated 646,400 MWh were produced in embedded generators (hydro, wind and bagasse), with the remaining 1,062,600 MWh (3,825,260 GJ) being ‘imported’ from outside of the region. A default emissions factor of 251 kg CO2-e/GJ (the average for Queensland grid electricity) was applied to the electricity imports.


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More detailed estimates of stationary energy GHG emissions, including emission factors, are provided in Appendix 1.1.

3.3. Transport Energy

Table 4 provides an overview of GHG emissions from the transport sector in the Wet Tropics Region. In 2005, direct emissions associated with 623,000 kilolitres of transport fuels consumed in the region were approximately 1,579,000 tonnes of CO2-e.

Table 4: Wet Tropics Region: Emissions from the Transport Sector, 2005

Fuel typePrimary

unit

Quantity of fuel

consumed primary unit*

CO2

emissions(t CO2)

CH4

emissions(t CO2-e)

N2O emissions

(t CO2-e)

Fuel combustion emissions

(t CO2-e)

ADO (diesel) kL 185,600 439,255 952 2,856 443,063

Unleaded petrol kL 203,000 522,852 3,322 17,631 543,805

LPG kL 16,500 25,593 605 259 26,458

Aviation turbine kL 215,000 545,168 2,413 11,789 559,370

E 10 (ethanol) kL 3,000 6,159 0 0 6,159

Total 623,100 1,539,027 7,293 32,535 1,578,855

The principal source of transport fuel consumption data is Kilsby (2007) which provides data on oil products delivered to the region via the Cairns sea port. In using this data as the basis for regional fuel consumption estimates an assumption is made, on the one hand, that oil products delivered to Cairns are all used within the Wet Tropics region and, on the other hand, that all oil products consumed within the region are imported via Cairns. It is unlikely that the two assumptions hold perfectly. On balance though, data on oil imported through Cairns is likely to represent a reasonable approximation of oil consumed within the region.

A notable feature of transport fuel consumption and associated emissions in the region is the significant role of aviation turbine fuel. Approximately 35 % of all transport emissions are estimated to have come from this source. This is almost certainly a consequence of the high influx of tourists into the region, many of them arriving and departing on commercial passenger aircraft.

A more detailed breakdown of transport energy GHG emissions, including emission factors, is provided in Appendix 1.2.

3.4. Agriculture

Table 5 provides an overview of GHG emissions from the agriculture sector in the Wet Tropics Region. In 2005, direct emissions associated with agricultural emissions were approximately 952,000 tonnes of CO2-e, emitted as either methane or nitrous oxide.


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Table 5: Wet Tropics Region: Emissions from the Agriculture Sector, 2005

Enteric fermentation was the dominant source of regional agricultural emissions, contributing an estimated 596,000 tonnes of CO2-e in 2005, or 63% of agricultural emissions. Enteric fermentation is a digestive process in herbivores. Plant material consumed by an animal is broken down by bacteria in the gut under anaerobic conditions producing methane as a by-product. All herbivores produce methane in this way, but the dominant source of methane emissions due to enteric fermentation, both in the Wet Tropics region and Queensland more widely, is cattle (beef and dairy). Regional data on cattle and other stock numbers are limited but ABS surveys (ABS 1994, 2007) suggest that there are approximately 385,000 beef cattle in the region (principally in Mareeba, Herberton, Cardwell and Hinchinbrook), with another 29,000 dairy cattle. Each of these cattle produces between about 0.1 and 0.4 kilograms of methane per head per day, depending on age, season, breed and management practice.

Two other significant sources of GHG emissions from agriculture in the region are nitrous oxide emissions associated with the application of synthetic nitrogenous fertilisers on crops and sown pastures and from urine and faeces deposited directly on pastures by grazing animals, or from animal manure derived from dairies, feedlots, piggeries and poultry houses and applied to crops and pastures as organic fertiliser. In 2005, an estimated 166,000 tonnes of GHGs, CO2 equivalent, resulted from synthetic fertiliser application, principally on sugar cane. An estimated 111,000 tonnes resulted from animal waste deposition.

A more detailed breakdown of agriculture GHG emissions, including emission factors and activity data, is provided in Appendix 1.3.

ProcessAnnual emissions

(t CH4)Annual emissions

(t N20)Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Livestock

Enteric fermentation 28,365 .. 595,660

Manure management 526 .. 11,046Soils

Fertiliser application .. 536 166,062

N leaching and runoff .. 97 30,190

Animal waste on soils .. 359 111,241

Soil disturbance .. 110 34,222Residue burning

Sugar cane residues 100 6 4,065Total 28,990 1,109 952,485


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3.5. Land Use Change

Table 6 provides an overview of GHG emissions from Land Use Change & Forestry sector. In 2005, an estimated 1,129,000 tonnes, CO2-e, were emitted from the sector.

Table 6: Wet Tropics Region: Net Emissions from the Land Use Change Sector, 2005

LGA

Net emissions from above

ground biomass( t CO2-e)

Emissions from soils( t CO2-e)

Total land use change

( t CO2-e)Atherton 32,679 21,559 54,238Cairns 46,605 22,322 68,927Cardwell 309,778 164,669 474,448Douglas 6,500 4,281 10,781Eacham 20,075 10,327 30,402Herberton 60,044 62,656 122,700Hinchinbrook 128,264 74,994 203,258Johnstone 15,419 8,572 23,992Mareeba 63,372 76,635 140,007Total 682,737 446,015 1,128,753

The Land Use Change sector total encompasses emissions from the conversion of native vegetation to pasture, cropland, plantations or for residential and commercial purposes. In 2004-05, an estimated 2,392 hectares of land were converted in the study region (DNRW, 2007), with the largest areas of clearing occurring in the Shires of Herberton, Mareeba and Cardwell. Some of the areas converted were closed forests (including rainforest), with other areas being open woodlands and grasslands. Emissions associated with the clearing of native vegetation include: on-site and off-site burning of above ground biomass; decay of above ground biomass; and loss of soil carbon and decay of below ground biomass. Estimates of emissions from above ground biomass loss are calculated net of carbon uptake associated with regrowth, plantations and other biomass replacing the native vegetation. In calculating emissions associated with decay of biomass and loss of soil carbon, estimates of land cleared over a ten year period are used.

As noted, there is a great deal of uncertainty associated with land use change emission estimates for the region, due to uncertainty with activity data (e.g. land clearing and soil carbon estimates) and also to the methodology applied in this study to estimating land use change emissions2.

2 Current national and state GHG inventories draw on Australia’s National Carbon Accounting System (NCCS)

for estimates of land use change emissions. These estimates are derived using a complex, mass balance, process-based ecosystem model (Tier 3) in a fully spatially explicit land representation (NGGI, 2007). At the time of writing this report, data for the Wet Tropics region was not available through the model. An alternative, simplified method has therefore been used to estimate land use change emissions for the Wet Tropics region. This method is based on the IPCC recommended method (IPCC, 2003) and applied in early national greenhouse gas inventories for Australia (e.g. AGO, 2000) but has now been superseded by the NCCS methodology. Estimates of land use change emissions for the Wet Tropics Region may be available in the future using the NCCS. Is should be noted that land clearing data used as the basis for emission estimates in this report, have been drawn from estimates provided through the Statewide Landcover and Trees Study (DNRW, 2007), the same estimates as are used in state and national inventories.


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A more detailed breakdown of land use change GHG emissions is provided in Appendix 1.4.

3.6. Waste

Table 7 provides an overview of GHG emissions from the waste sector in the Wet Tropics Region. In 2005, an estimated 140,000 tonnes, CO2-e, were emitted from wastes.

Table 7: Wet Tropics Region: Emissions from the Waste Sector, 2005

Process

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)

Municipal solid waste 5,065 106,366

Wastewater 1,625 34,124

Total 6,690 140,490

Of the total waste emissions, approximately 106,000 tonnes were emitted as methane by anaerobic decomposition of the organic carbon fraction of municipal solid waste in landfills. An estimated 91,500 tonnes of municipal solid waste were disposed to landfills in the region in 2005, of which approximately 16,000 tonnes comprised degradable organic carbon.

A further 34,000 tonnes were emitted as methane from the anaerobic decomposition of sewage in wastewater treatment plants and systems. Of this total it is estimated that approximately 12,500 tonnes were emitted from treatment plants operated by Cairns water, with a further 21,500 tonnes coming from local treatment systems such as septic tanks.

A more detailed breakdown waste emissions, including emission factors and activity data, is provided in Appendix 1.5.

3.7. Industrial Processes

Significant potential sources of industrial process emissions include emissions associated with cement, chemicals and metals production, the production of halocarbons and SF6 and the consumption of halocarbons and SF6. Of these potential sources, only the consumption of halocarbons in refrigeration and air conditioning systems are assessed as being material sources of emissions in the Wet Tropics region. The major sources and of these emissions and estimated quantities of emissions are presented in Table 8 below.

Emissions associated with halocarbon use in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems in the Wet Tropics region were estimated to be approximately 74,000 tonnes of CO2-e in 2005. All emissions were HFCs3, which have very high global warming potentials (see Table 1). Of the total halocarbon emissions, approximately 58,000 tonnes or 78% were from domestic air-conditioning systems. This reflects the high initial HFC charge in domestic air-conditioning systems relative to refrigerators and motor vehicle air-conditioners, as well as a high loss rate from domestic air-conditioning systems over their operating life.

3 Principally HFC134a and R410A (a blend of HFC32 and HFC 125).


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Table 8: Wet Tropics Region: Halocarbon Emissions, 2005

Source No of units

Annual emissions

(t HFC)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)

Main domestic refrigerators & freezers 76,894 0.6 757

Second refrigerator 68,468 0.6 813

Domestic wall air conditioners 29,334 10.4 16,801

Domestic split system a/c 45,342 25.3 40,810

Commercial air conditioners .. 2.2 3,120

Motor vehicle air conditioners 98,945 9.2 11,972

Total 220,037 39.2 74,273

A more detailed breakdown of halocarbon emissions, including emission factors and activity data, is provided in Appendix 1.6.


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4. Discussion

As outlined in Table 2, total Wet Tropic Region GHG emissions are estimated to have been approximately 4,185 kilo tonnes (CO2-e) in 2005 (direct emissions) or 19.6 tonnes per person in the region. Including indirect emissions associated with purchased electricity pushes up the total to 5,145 kilotonnes or 23.6 tonnes per capita. Per capita emissions in the Wet Tropics Region were less than average per capita Australian emissions of 28.2 tonnes in 2005 and substantially below per capita emissions in Queensland of 38.9 tonnes for the same period4. However, they are almost 70 % greater than average per capita emissions for industrialised countries subject to emissions targets under the Kyoto Protocol5.

A glance at Figure 4 gives some idea of the reason why per capita emissions in the Wet Tropics Region are below those of Queensland and Australia. Even after including emissions associated with purchased electricity, stationary energy emissions in the Wet Tropics Region (5.8 tonnes / capita) are substantially below the equivalent source in Queensland (16 tonnes / capita) or Australia (14.1 tonnes / capita). This situation can be explained by:

an absence of energy intensive industries in the Wet Tropics Region (for example aluminium and steel smelting); and

zero or low emission intensity of electricity generators in the region.

The Wet Tropics Region also has close to zero emissions from fugitive fuels (e.g. coal mining and gas distribution) and low industrial process emissions.

Figure 4: Breakdown of Per Capita GHG Emissions, Wet Tropics Region, Queensland and Australia

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

Stationaryenergy

Transport Fugitivefuels

Agriculture Land usechange

Waste Industrialprocesses

Total

Per c

apita

em

issi

ons

(t C

O2-

e)

Wet Tropics Region Queensland Australia

4 Total emissions in Australia were 559 kilotonnes in 2005. Total emissions in Queensland were 157 kilotonnes. 5 Kyoto Protocol Annex 1 Parties, average per capita emissions, 2004.


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On the other hand, transport emissions in Wet Tropics Region (7.2 tonnes / capita) are very high compared to Queensland and Australia (4.6 and 4.0 tonnes / capita respectively). Land use change emissions and agriculture emissions in the Wet Tropics Region are also moderately high compared with other regions in Australia.

Differences between the emissions profile of the Wet Tropics Region, Queensland and Australia point to some important considerations when framing emission abatement policies:

At the state and national levels decision makers will need to recognise that ‘once size does not fit all’ – what potentially is a suitable suite of measures for some regions in Australia may not be suitable for other parts. For example, an emissions trading system that focuses primarily on electricity generators and energy intensive industries is unlikely to have much impact on greenhouse gas emissions in the Wet Tropics Region.

This points to the importance of a comprehensive and wide ranging approach to emissions abatement on the one hand but, on the other hand, the importance of developing and targeting policies to suit specific industries and regions such as the Wet Tropics Region. State and national decision makers will need to recognise different local circumstances and to draw on ‘local knowledge’ when framing abatement policies.

Tackling greenhouse gas emissions at the regional level poses other challenges. Take greenhouse gas emissions associated with air transport for example, which as noted in section 3.3, are particularly high in the Wet Tropics Region. Policies and measures to deal with these emissions will in many cases need to be developed nationally and internationally. Such measures could have important ramifications for the Wet Tropics Region though, and its growing tourism industry. This example highlights the importance of effective integration of local, regional, state and national mitigation policies.

Looking at data and methodological issues, research undertaken for this study highlights a shortcoming with local and regional activity data necessary to produce accurate regional emission inventories. This shortcoming may need to be rectified under enhanced monitoring and verification regimes that are likely to accompany regulation of carbon emissions in the future.


17

References

ABARE, 2006, Australian Energy, Production, Consumption and Trade, 1973-74 to 2005-06; Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland, 2006.

ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics - Selected small area data Queensland, ABS catalogue no. 7120.3.

ABS, 2005. Environmental Issues: People's Views and Practices, ABS 4602.0, March 2005.

ABS, 2007. Selected Agricultural Commodities, Australia, Preliminary, 2005-06, ABS catalogue no. 7112.0.

Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2000. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Land Use Change and Forestry Sector, 1990-1998, AGO, Canberra.

Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. (Various sectoral reports).

Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006b. AGO Methods and Factors Workbook, Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra.

Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2007. Australia's National Greenhouse Accounts: National Inventory Report 2005 - Volume 1, Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra.

Burbank Consulting Pty Ltd, 2002, Inventories and Projections of Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Used in Montreal Protocol Industries, AGO, Canberra.

Department of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries, 2005. Australia's State of the Forests Report 2003, Australian Government, Canberra

Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland, ‘Far North Queensland Energy Report Card’, Queensland Government, Brisbane.

Department of Natural Resources & Water (DNRW), Queensland, 2007. Land Cover Change in Queensland, 2004-05: A Statewide Landcover and Trees Study Report, State of Queensland, Brisbane.

Dunstan, Grahame, Cairns Water, personal communication, 5 September, 2007.

Environmental Protection Agency Queensland, 2006. The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland, 2005, The State of Queensland, Environmental Protection Agency Queensland, Brisbane.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2003. Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry, IPCC Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, IGES, Hayama, Japan.


18

Kilsby Australia Pty Ltd, 2007. Cairns Oil Vulnerability: Final Report, Queensland Transport, Cairns.

Powerlink, 2007. Annual Planning Report, 2007.

Stanwell Corporation, 2006. Stanwell Annual Report 2006.

Stewart, L.K., Charlesworth, P.B. and Bristow, K.L., 2004: ‘Estimating nitrate leaching under a sugarcane crop using APSIM-SWIM’, CSIRO Land and Water and CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production.

Thorburn, P., Goodson, M., Wegener, M. and Basford, K., 2004. ‘Optimisation of nitrogen supply from sugarcane residues in wet tropics’, Australian Society of Agronomy.

Weier, K.L., 1998. ‘Sugarcane fields: sources or sinks for greenhouse gas emissions?’, Aust. Journal of Agricultural Research, 49: 1-9.


19

Appendices

Appendix 1.1: Stationary Energy Sector Emissions

Direct and Indirect (Scope 1 and Scope 2)

Fuel typePrimary

unit

Quantity of fuel consumed

primary unit

Conversion factor (GJ / kL or t or

MWh)

Quantity of fuel

consumed(GJ)

CO2 EF(kg CO2/GJ)

Oxidation factor

CO2

emissions(t CO2)

CH4

emissions(t CO2-e)

N2O emissions

(t CO2-e)

Total emissions

(t CO2-e)

Electricity - hydro MWh 1,111,000 3.6 3,999,600 0.0 1.00 0 0 0 0

Electricity - wind MWh 28,000 3.6 100,800 0.0 1.00 0 0 0 0

Bagasse* tonnes 1,924,000 9.6 18,470,400 0.0 1.00 0 18,470 9,235 27,706

LPG** kL 16,500 26.2 432,300 59.8 0.99 25,593 605 259 26,458

Diesel oil*** kL 86,400 34.2 2,954,880 69.9 0.99 204,481 414 177 205,072

Fuel oil kL 17,000 40.8 693,600 73.6 0.99 50,538 108 55 50,701

Total Scope 1 (direct) 26,651,580 280,612 19,597 9,727 309,936Net electricity purchased from grid MWh 1,062,600 960,165

Total Scope 1 & Scope 2 1,270,102

**Estimate based on per capita non-transport LPG consumption in regional Queensland

Data sources:

Activity data: ABARE, 2006, Australian Energy, Production, Consumption and Trade, 1973-74 to 2005-06 ; Kilsby Australia Pty Ltd, 2007. Cairns Oil Vulnerability: Final Report , Queensland Transport, Cairns.

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Stationary Sources), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006b. AGO Methods and Factors Workbook, Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra.

*Estimate based on total bagasse consumption in Queensland sugar mills; and regional generating capacity as a proportion of total Queensland capacity

***Non-tranport diesel oil assumed to be for commercial fishing (59%), agriculture (26%) and commercial and government (15%). Fuel oil is principally in the industrial and commercial areas.


20

Indirect electricity purchases (scope 2)Net electricity electricity purchases from Queensland grid

Fuel typePrimary

unit

Quantity of electricity purchased

primary unit

Conversion factor (GJ / MWh or GJ / tonne or GJ / kL)

Quantity of electricity purchased

(GJ)

Purchased electricity EF

(kg CO2-e / GJ)

Emissions associated

with purchased electricity(t CO2-e)

Net electricity purchased from grid MWh 1,062,600 3.6 3,825,360 251.0 960,165

Annual electricity purchased FNQ MWh 1,709,000Embedded generation Hydro* MWh 519,750 Wind MWh 23,650 Bagasse** MWh 103,000Total embedded MWh 646,400Net electricity purchased from grid MWh 1,062,600

**Estimate based on: total sugar milling generation exported to grid in Queensland; and regional generating capacity as a proportion of total Queensland capacity

Data sources: Department of Mines and Energy, Queensland, 2006. Far North Queensland Energy Report Card , Queensland Government, Brisbane; Powerlink, 2007. Annual Planning Report, 2007 ; Stanwell Corporation, 2006. Stanwell Annual Report 2006 .

Net electricity purchased from grid

*Hydro generation varies substantially from season to season and year to year depending on peak demand, climatic conditions and water availability. The figure provided is an average for 2004-05 and 2005-06.


21

Appendix 1.2: Transport Sector Emissions

Fuel typePrimary

unit

Quantity of fuel

consumed primary unit*

CO2

emissions(t CO2)

CH4

emissions(t CO2-e)

N2O emissions

(t CO2-e)

Fuel combustion emissions

(t CO2-e)

ADO (diesel) kL 185,600 439,255 952 2,856 443,063

Unleaded petrol kL 203,000 522,852 3,322 17,631 543,805

LPG kL 16,500 25,593 605 259 26,458

Aviation turbine kL 215,000 545,168 2,413 11,789 559,370

E 10 (ethanol) kL 3,000 6,159 0 0 6,159

Total 623,100 1,539,027 7,293 32,535 1,578,855

Emission factors(kg CO2-e / GJ) Scope 1ADO 69.8Unleaded petrol 69.4LPG 61.2Fuel oil 74.3Marine diesel oil 69.4Aviation turbine 70.7Ethanol 62.4Biodiesel 0.8

Data sources:

Activity data: ABARE, 2006, Australian Energy, Production, Consumption and Trade, 1973-74 to 2005-06 ; Kilsby Australia Pty Ltd, 2007. Cairns Oil Vulnerability: Final Report, Queensland Transport, Cairns.

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Transport), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra. Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006b. AGO Methods and Factors Workbook, Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra.


22

Appendix 1.3: Agriculture Sector Emissions

Livestock

Enteric fermentation

Beef cattle Nos.

Feed intake (kg dry matter/

head/day)

Methane production

(kg CH4/ head/day)

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Bulls spring 12,000 10.89 0.35 383 8,035 summer 12,000 11.06 0.36 389 8,171 autumn 12,000 8.97 0.28 309 6,491 winter 12,000 8.30 0.26 283 5,953annual 0.31 1,364 28,650Calves spring 258,000 3.22 0.08 1,920 40,328 summer 258,000 4.57 0.13 3,030 63,627 autumn 258,000 5.77 0.17 4,016 84,326 winter 258,000 6.19 0.19 4,357 91,496annual 0.14 13,323 279,778Cows spring 115,000 10.08 0.32 3,370 70,767 summer 115,000 8.88 0.28 2,929 61,517 autumn 115,000 6.97 0.21 2,230 46,836 winter 115,000 6.93 0.21 2,214 46,499annual 0.26 10,744 225,618Total 385,000 0.18 25,431 534,046

Dairy cattle Nos.

Feed intake (kg dry matter/

head/day)

Enegy intake for milk production(MJ/ head/day)

Gross energy intake

(MJ/head/day)Intake relative

to maintenance

GEI yielded as methane

(%)

Methane production

(kg CH4/ head/day)

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Total 28,700 8.78 74.27 251.90 2.81 5.96 0.272 2,850 59,856

Other stock Nos.Emission factor (kg CH4/ head/yr)

Annual emissions (t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Pigs 12,900 1.10 14 298Sheep 5,000 6.70 34 704Horses 2,000 18.00 36 756Total 84 1,757


23

Enteric fermentation

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Beef cattle 25,431 534,046Dairy cattle 2,850 59,856Other 84 1,757Total 28,365 595,660

Manure management

Stock type Nos.Emission factor (kg CH4/ head/yr)

Annual emissions (t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Beef cattle 385,000 0.01 4 81Dairy cattle 28,700 8.88 255 5,352Pigs 12,900 17.93 231 4,857Poultry 300,000 0.12 36 756Total 526 11,046

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Agriculture), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra

Activity data: ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics - Selected small area data Queensland, ABS calalogue no. 7120.3; ABS 2007. Selected Agricultural Commodities, Australia, Preliminary, 2005-06, ABS catalogue no. 7112.0

Data sources:


24

Soils

Fertiliser application - direct

CropArea(ha)

N fertiliser applied

(kg/ha/yr)

Mass of N fertiliser applied (t N/yr)

Emission factor

(t N2O-N/ t N)

Annual emissions

(t N2O)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Sown pasture 120,000 30 3,600 0.0040 23 7,015Irrigated crops 4,000 60 240 0.0210 8 2,455Non-irrigated crops 30,000 60 1,800 0.0030 8 2,631Sugar cane 114,000 182 20,748 0.0125 408 126,341Horticulture 12,000 225 2,700 0.0210 89 27,621Total 536 166,062

Sources:

Area data: ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics- Selected small area data Queensland, ABS calalogue no. 7120.3; Agtrans Ltd, 2002, Socioeconomic Data for the Queensland Sugar Industry. Report to the Department of State Development, 15 July 2002. Fertiliser application - L. K. Stewart, P. B. Charlesworth, K. L. Bristow. 2004: Estimating nitrate leaching under a sugarcane crop using APSIM-SWIM, CSIRO Land and Water and CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production; P. Thorburn, M. Goodson, M. Wegener and K. Basford, 2004. Optimisation of nitrogen supply from sugarcane residues in wet tropics, Australian Society of Agronomy; K.L. Weier, 1998. Sugarcane fileds: sources or sinks for greenhouse gas emissions?, Aust. Journal of Agricultural Research, 49: 1-9.



25

Leaching and runoff of fertilisers

CropArea(ha)

N fertiliser applied

(kg/ha/yr)

Mass of N fertiliser applied (t N/yr)

Fraction of N available for leaching and runoff

Fraction of N lost

through leaching

and runoff

Mass of N lost though

leaching and runoff

Emission factor

(t N2O-N/ t N)

Annual emissions

(t N2O)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Sown pasture 120,000 30 3,600 0.128 0.3 138 0.0125 3 842Irrigated crops 4,000 60 240 1.000 0.3 72 0.0125 1 438Non-irrigated crops 30,000 60 1,800 0.043 0.3 23 0.0125 0 141Sugar cane 114,000 200 22,800 0.656 0.3 4,487 0.0125 88 27,323Horticulture 12,000 225 2,700 0.293 0.3 237 0.0125 5 1,445Total 97 30,190

Area data - ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics- Selected small area data Queensland, ABS calalogue no. 7120.3; Fertiliser application - L. K. Stewart, P. B. Charlesworth, K. L. Bristow. 2004: Estimating nitrate leaching under a sugarcane crop using APSIM-SWIM, CSIRO Land and Water and CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production.


Sources:


26

Animal waste deposited on soils

Source Cattle no.

Nitrogen excretion (g N/head/

day)

Total N waste

deposited (tonnes)

Emission factor

(t N2O-N/ t N)

Annual emissions

(t N2O)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Beef cattle faeces and urine 385,000 142 19,955 0.0100 314 97,207Dairy cattle faeces and urine 28,700 550 5,762 0.0050 45 14,033Total 359 111,241

Data sources:Area data - ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics - Selected small area data Queensland, ABS calalogue no. 7120.3

Soil disturbance

CropArea(ha)

Emission factor

(kg N/ha /yr)

Annual emissions

(t N2O)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Sown pasture 120,000 0.25 47 14,614Crops 161,000 0.25 63 19,608Total 110 34,222

Data sources:Area data - ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics - Selected small area data Queensland, ABS catalogue no. 7120.3; AGO Workbooks.



( ), gy , gy(Agriculture), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra


27

Burning of Residues

Agriculture burning of sugar cane residues

CropProduction

(kt / yr)Residue to crop ratio

Fraction of residue

remaining at burning

Dry matter content

Burning efficiency

Fraction of annual

crop that is burnt

Mass of residue (tonnes)

Sugar cane 10,100 0.25 1.00 0.20 0.96 0.11 53,328

Annual emissions

Mass of residue burnt

(tonnes)

Carbon mass

fraction in crop

residue

N ratio to carbon in residue

Emission factor

(t element/ t burnt)

Annual emissions (tonnes)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)CH4 53,328 0.40 .. 0.0035 100 2,090N2O 53,328 0.40 0.025 0.0076 6 1,974Total 4,065

Data sources:

Area data - ABS 1994. Agriculture Statistics- Selected small area data Queensland, ABS calalogue no. 7120.3; Fertiliser application - L. K. Stewart, P. B. Charlesworth, K. L. Bristow. 2004: Estimating nitrate leaching under a sugarcane crop using APSIM-SWIM, CSIRO Land and Water and CRC for Sustainable Sugar Production; P. Thorburn, M. Goodson, M. Wegener and K. Basford, 2004. Optimisation of nitrogen supply from sugarcane residues in wet tropics, Australian Society of Agronomy; K.L. Weier, 1998. Sugarcane fields: sources or sinks for greenhouse gas emissions?, Aust. Journal of Agricultural Research, 49: 1-9; AGO Workbooks



28

Appendix 1.4: Land Use Change & Forestry Emissions

Woody Vegetation Clearing Rates (hectares)

LGA1995-96

(ha)1996-97

(ha)1997-98

(ha)1998-99

(ha)1999-00

(ha)2000-01

(ha)2001-02

(ha)2002-03

(ha)2003-04

(ha)2004-05

(ha)

Average 1996-2005

(ha)Atherton 116 116 118 118 117 117 83 83 63 55 99Cairns 69 69 51 51 94 94 70 70 54 71 69Cardwell 573 573 342 342 126 126 308 308 376 586 366Douglas 36 36 40 40 26 26 22 22 8 8 26Eacham 66 66 26 26 47 47 27 27 25 30 39Herberton 1,143 1,143 468 468 1,206 1,206 515 515 802 734 820Hinchinbrook 770 770 468 468 200 200 313 313 85 177 376Johnstone 96 96 30 30 25 25 25 25 15 22 39Mareeba 2,343 2,343 1,942 1,942 1,464 1,464 719 719 789 709 1,443Total 5,212 5,212 3,485 3,485 3,305 3,305 2,082 2,082 2,217 2,392 3,278

Above ground biomass loss (including litter)

LGA Forest typeConverted

to

Biomass before

conversion(t dm / ha)

Biomass after

conversion(t dm / ha)

Net change in biomass

density(t dm/ha)

Atherton rainforest plantations 412 72 340Cairns rainforest cleared 412 5 407Cardwell rainforest plantations 412 72 340Douglas rainforest cleared 412 5 407Eacham rainforest pasture 412 10 402

Herbertoneucalyptus woodland

pasture/regrowth 84 34 50

Hinchinbrook rainforest pasture 412 10 402Johnstone rainforest pasture 412 10 402

Mareebaeucalyptus woodland

pasture/regrowth 84 34 50


29

Carbon released by on-site burning 2004/05

LGA

Area of land converted

2004-05 (ha)


density(t dm/ha)

Annual loss of biomass

(t dm)

Fraction of biomass

burned on site

Fraction of biomass oxidised

Quantity of biomass

burned on site

( t dm)

Carbon fraction of biomass

Carbon released

from on site burning

( t C)

Emissions from on

site burning( t CO2-e)

Atherton 55 340 18,700 0.88 0.9 14,810 0.45 6,665 24,437Cairns 71 407 28,897 0.88 0.9 22,886 0.45 10,299 37,763Cardwell 586 340 199,240 0.88 0.9 157,798 0.45 71,009 260,367Douglas 8 407 3,256 0.88 0.9 2,579 0.45 1,160 4,255Eacham 30 402 12,060 0.88 0.9 9,552 0.45 4,298 15,760Herberton 734 50 36,700 0.88 0.9 29,066 0.45 13,080 47,960Hinchinbrook 177 402 71,154 0.88 0.9 56,354 0.45 25,359 92,984Johnstone 22 402 8,844 0.88 0.9 7,004 0.45 3,152 11,557Mareeba 709 50 35,450 0.88 0.9 28,076 0.45 12,634 46,326Total 2,392 414,301 328,126 147,657 541,409

Carbon released by off-site burning 2004/05

LGA


2004-05 (ha)


density(t dm/ha)


(t dm)

Fraction of biomass

burned off site

Fraction of biomass oxidised

Quantity of biomass

burned off site

( t dm)


Carbon released

from off site burning

( t C)

Emissions from off


Atherton 55 340 18,700 0.02 1 374 0.45 168 617Cairns 71 407 28,897 0.02 1 578 0.45 260 954Cardwell 586 340 199,240 0.02 1 3,985 0.45 1,793 6,575Douglas 8 407 3,256 0.02 1 65 0.45 29 107Eacham 30 402 12,060 0.02 1 241 0.45 109 398Herberton 734 50 36,700 0.02 1 734 0.45 330 1,211Hinchinbrook 177 402 71,154 0.02 1 1,423 0.45 640 2,348Johnstone 22 402 8,844 0.02 1 177 0.45 80 292Mareeba 709 50 35,450 0.02 1 709 0.45 319 1,170Total 2,392 414,301 8,286 3,729 13,672


30

Carbon released by decay of biomass 2004/05

LGA

Av. area of land converted 1996-2005 (ha)


density(t dm/ha)


(t dm)

Fraction of biomass

left to decay

Quantity of biomass left

to decay( t dm)


Carbon released

from decay of biomass

( t C)

Emissions from on site

decay( t CO2-e)

Atherton 99 340 33,524 0.1 3,352 0.45 1,509 5,531Cairns 69 407 28,205 0.1 2,821 0.45 1,269 4,654Cardwell 366 340 124,440 0.1 12,444 0.45 5,600 20,533Douglas 26 407 10,745 0.1 1,074 0.45 484 1,773Eacham 39 402 15,557 0.1 1,556 0.45 700 2,567Herberton 820 50 41,000 0.1 4,100 0.45 1,845 6,765Hinchinbrook 376 402 151,313 0.1 15,131 0.45 6,809 24,967Johnstone 39 402 15,638 0.1 1,564 0.45 704 2,580Mareeba 1,443 50 72,170 0.1 7,217 0.45 3,248 11,908Total 3,278 492,592 49,259 22,167 81,278

Non-CO2 emissions released by on site burning 2004/05

LGA

Quantity of carbon

released(t C)

Nitrogen/methane -

carbon ratio

Total nitrogen released

N20-nitrogen

ratioN20

emissionsCO2-e

emissionsMethane

emissionsCO2-e

emissionsTotal CO2-e

emissionsAtherton 6,665 0.01 67 0.007 0.73 227 89 1,866 2,093Cairns 10,299 0.01 103 0.007 1.13 351 137 2,884 3,235Cardwell 71,009 0.01 710 0.007 7.81 2421 947 19,883 22,304Douglas 1,160 0.01 12 0.007 0.13 40 15 325 364Eacham 4,298 0.01 43 0.007 0.47 147 57 1,203 1,350Herberton 13,080 0.01 131 0.007 1.44 446 174 3,662 4,108Hinchinbrook 25,359 0.01 254 0.007 2.79 865 338 7,101 7,965Johnstone 3,152 0.01 32 0.007 0.35 107 42 883 990Mareeba 12,634 0.01 126 0.007 1.39 431 168 3,538 3,968Total 147,657 16.24 5,035 1,969 41,344 46,379


31

Total emissions from removal of above ground biomass

LGA

Emissions from on site

burning( t CO2-e)

Emissions from off


Emissions from on

site decay( t CO2-e)

Non-CO2

emissions from on


Total above ground

emissions( t CO2-e)

Atherton 24,437 617 5,531 2,093 32,679Cairns 37,763 954 4,654 3,235 46,605Cardwell 260,367 6,575 20,533 22,304 309,778Douglas 4,255 107 1,773 364 6,500Eacham 15,760 398 2,567 1,350 20,075Herberton 47,960 1,211 6,765 4,108 60,044Hinchinbrook 92,984 2,348 24,967 7,965 128,264Johnstone 11,557 292 2,580 990 15,419Mareeba 46,326 1,170 11,908 3,968 63,372Total 541,409 13,672 81,278 46,379 682,737

CO2 emissions from soils and removal of below ground biomass

LGA


2004-05 (ha)

Area of land

converted 1996-05

(ha)

Below ground carbon before

clearing(t C/ha)

Net carbon release

from decay of roots(t C/ha)

Soil carbon release(t C/ha)

Net below ground carbon release

( t C)

Net soil carbon release

( t CO2-e)Atherton 55 99 115 23.7 62.7 5,880 21,559Cairns 71 69 115 23.7 62.7 6,088 22,322Cardwell 586 366 115 23.7 62.7 44,910 164,669Douglas 8 26 115 23.7 62.7 1,168 4,281Eacham 30 39 115 23.7 62.7 2,816 10,327Herberton 734 820 65 5.2 17.3 17,088 62,656Hinchinbrook 177 376 115 23.7 62.7 20,453 74,994Johnstone 22 39 115 23.7 62.7 2,338 8,572Mareeba 709 1,443 65 5.2 17.3 20,900 76,635Total 2,392 3,278 121,641 446,015

Data sources:

Area and activity data: Department of Natural Resources & Water (DNRW), Queensland, 2007. Land Cover Change in Queensland, 2004-05: A Statewide Landcover and Trees Study Report, State of Queensland, Brisbane; Department of Agriculture Forestry & Fisheries, 2005. Australia's State of the Forests Report 2003, Australian Government, Canberra.Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2000. National Greenhouse Gas Inventory: Land Use Change and Forestry Sector, 1990-1998, AGO, Canberra; Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, 2003. Good Practice Guidance for Land Use, Land-Use Change and Forestry, IPCC Greenhouse Gas Inventories Programme, IGES, Hayama, Japan.


32

Appendix 1.5: Waste Sector Emissions

Municipal landfills

Population

Solid waste disposed to

landfill(kg / head)

Total MSW disposed to

landfill(tonnes)

217,880 420 91,510

Waste type

Disposed to landfill

(tonnes)DOC fraction

of waste

DDOC dissimilated

(fraction)

Carbon fraction of landfill gas

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)Food 14,642 0.15 0.50 0.50 659 13,836Paper and textiles 27,453 0.40 0.50 0.50 3294 69,181Garden and green 13,726 0.17 0.50 0.50 700 14,701Wood 2,745 0.50 0.50 0.50 412 8,648Other 32,943 0.00 0.50 0.50 0 0Total 91,510 5,065 106,366

Data sources:

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Waste), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra

Activity data: Environmental Protection Agency Queensland, 2006. The State of Waste and Recycling in Queensland, 2005, The State of Queensland, Environmental Protection Agency Queensland, Brisbane.


33

Waste water

Cairns Water

Quantity of wastewater

(ml/yr)

Quantity of wastewater (kg BOD/yr)

Fraction of BOD as

wastewater

Emission factor

(kg CH4/kg sludge)

Fraction of BOD as sludge

Emission factor

(kg CH4/kg wastewater)

Fraction of wastewater

anaerobically treated

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)

Marlin Coast 2431 705,068 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.00 0 0

Northern Plant 6589 1,581,361 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.30 234 4,916

Southern Plant 6731 1,951,969 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.35 337 7,079

Edmonton 1608 369,834 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.00 0 0

Gordonvale 562 101,185 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.00 0 0

Babinda 854 64,029 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 1.00 32 663Total 18,775 4,773,446 603 12,658

Data sources:

Activity data: G Dunstan, Cairns Water, Personal Communication, 5 September, 2007

Other areas Population

Quantity of wastewater

(kg BOD/ capita/yr)

Fraction of BOD as

wastewater

Emission factor

(kg CH4/kg sludge)

Fraction of BOD as sludge

Emission factor

(kg CH4/kg wastewater)

Fraction of wastewater

anaerobically treated

Annual emissions

(t CH4)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)

septic systems* 69,722 36.5 0.71 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.8 1,005 21,103

other treatment* 17,430 22.5 0.29 0.65 0.29 0.11 0.2 17 363

Total 87,152 1,022 21,466

* Approximately 60% (130,700) of the region's population are estimated to be serviced by Cairns Water. Of the remaining 87,000 epeople, approximately 80% are assumed to be serviced with on-site septic (anaerobic) systems, with the remainder being serviced by other on-site (aerobic) systems.

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Waste), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra


34

Appendix 1.6: Industrial Process Emissions

Halocarbons

Source No of units

Annual emissions

(t HFC)

Annual emissions

(t CO2-e)

Main domestic refrigerators & freezers 76,894 0.6 757

Second refrigerator 68,468 0.6 813

Domestic wall air conditioners 29,334 10.4 16,801

Domestic split system a/c 45,342 25.3 40,810

Commercial air conditioners .. 2.2 3,120

Motor vehicle air conditioners 98,945 9.2 11,972

Total 220,037 39.2 74,273

*As a Montreal Protocol gases CFC11 &12 and HCFC 22, are not included under Australian and international GHG accounting methods** As a Montreal Protocol gas HCFC22 emissions are not included under Australian and international GHG accounting methods

Data sources:

Activity data: ABS, 2005. Environmental Issues: People's Views and Practices , ABS 4602.0, March 2005; Burbank Consulting Pty Ltd, 2002, Inventories and Projections of Synthetic Greenhouse Gas Emissions Used in Montreal Protocol Industries , AGO, Canberra; AGO, 2007. Australia's National Greenhouse Accounts: National Inventory Report 2005 - Volume 1 , Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra.

Emission factors: Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO), 2006. Australian Methodology for the Estimation of Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks 2005, Energy (Industrial processes), Department of Environment and Water Resources, Canberra

Documents

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Wet Tropics Region: A ... · 8. On the other hand, transport emissions in Wet Tropics Region (7.2 tonnes / capita) are very high compared to Queensland