Climate, nature and electrification references and resources

To reach net zero emissions in our economy, we need to electrify homes.

“Every home that is currently using gas must be upgraded to all-electric to reach net zero.”

“All-electric homes save hundreds of dollars a year in energy bills, are healthier to live in, and are better for the environment.”
“Australia’s net zero future will require both increases in electrification and energy efficiency. The same is true for net zero homes. Electrifying a home by swapping gas for electric cooktops, space heating and hot water is an important part of the energy performance equation.”
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See p.52-54 ‘Beyond homes’ section, which  explains limitations to replacing gas with electricity in some industrial  uses.

Electrifying homes is critical for climate  action.

Grattan  Institute 

“Australia will not hit its 2050 net-zero emissions target  unless it gets off natural gas. All-electric homes are cheaper to run and  better for people’s health.”

17% of Victoria’s emissions come from gas.

Victorian Government  Gas Substitution Roadmap 

See report.

The Victorian Government has set a target to reach 95% renewable  energy in the grid by 2035.

See report.

Victoria will need to take 200 homes off gas every day until 2045 to  achieve reach the state government’s net zero target.

See report.

In Australia, energy – specifically burning fossil fuels to create electricity –makes up for over 30% of our total emissions.

“Energy production is the largest  contributor to Australia's carbon emissions. This is followed by transport,  agriculture, and industrial processes. Specifically: energy (burning fossil  fuels to produce electricity) contributed 32.6 per cent of the total  emissions”

Renewables now account for almost 40% of Australia's electricity use.

“Renewable energy accounted for 39.4 per cent of Australia’s total electricity generation in 2023, up from 35.9 per cent in 2022 and 32.5 per cent in 2021.”

In Australia, residential buildings are responsible for around a quarter of overall electricity use and around 10% of total carbon emissions.

“Residential buildings are responsible for around 24% of overall electricity use and more than 10% of total carbon emissions in Australia.”

The transport sector accounts for around one fifth of Australia’s emissions, and is projected to be the country’s largest source of emissions by 2030

“The transport sector is currently our third largest emitter, accounting for 21% of Australia’s emissions.”

“Without intervention, the transport sector is projected to be Australia’s largest source of emissions by 2030.”

Personal and commercial light passenger vehicles make up about 62% of the emissions.

“Light passenger and commercial vehicles made up 62% of Australia's transport emissions in 2019, and 60% in 2022.”

Indoor gas appliances are an established source of air pollution.

Cooking and heating with gas is common in Australian homes and  is a risk factor for several important health problems.

Gas cooking carries a comparable risk of  causing childhood asthma as living in a home with cigarette smoke.

A child living with gas cooking in the home faces a comparable risk of  asthma to a child living with household cigarette smoke.

Running an all-electric home can save households around $1,000  per year on their energy bills, compared with a home that uses gas  appliances.

Analysis indicates households can make average savings of over $1,000  a year across Australia by switching from gas appliances to the most  efficient electric alternatives.  

Gas connection fees are roughly $350 per  year.

See tables in report. This figure is based on an average of AGL  prices, with AGL being the largest supplier of gas to homes in Victoria.

Victorian Government agency Sustainability Victoria has also researched cost savings across a broad range of homes, and given detailed estimates based on the size and quality of insulation in a home, and the types of heating, cooling and hot water systems installed.

See page.

Victoria is the state that relies most heavily on gas in the home in  Australia.

See report.

Around 80% of Victorian homes are currently  connected to gas supply.

See media release.

Around 5 million homes in Australia are currently connected to gas.

See report.

Nature positive economy

Nature positive is a disruptive idea. It forces us to think  differently about our place in the world. It is a destination for humanity.  It is a foundation for good governance, long-term stable societies and  healthy economies. It is a philosophy that values our common future. And it  is a new business model based on regeneration, resilience and recirculation –  not destruction and pollution.