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Part C - Agency Budget Statements (continued)
Australian Greenhouse Office (continued)

Section 2 - Outcomes and Outputs Information

• Overview
• Sub-outcome and Output Groups
• Output Cost Attribution
• Relationship between Sub-outcome and Contributing Outputs
• Changes to Outcomes and Outputs
• Measures Affecting the Sub-outcome
• Total Resources for the Sub-outcome
• Contribution of Outputs
• Performance Information for the Sub-outcome
• Performance Information
• Evaluations

OVERVIEW

The following section provides details of the budget implications for the Australian Greenhouse Office. Specifically it provides in the following order:

• a diagrammatic representation of the output groups and individual outputs;
• a description for the Sub-outcome;
• details of the Budget Measures that impact on the Sub-outcome;
• Table 2.1 providing details of the financial resources for the Sub-outcome;
• a description of how the departmental outputs comprising the Sub-outcome contribute to that outcome;
• Table 2.2 which provides performance information for each departmental output; and
• general information on performance and evaluation.

This structure shows the relationship between the Government Sub-outcome and contributing outputs for the Australian Greenhouse Office, presented here as output groups. Financial details for this Sub-outcome by outputs and output groups appears in Table 2.1 while non-financial information for the Sub-outcome appears in Table 2.2.

OUTPUT COST ATTRIBUTION

Individual programmes are attributed to agency outputs consistent with the programmes alignment to the output. The agency's overheads are attributed to outputs on a pro rata Average Staffing Level (ASL) basis.

Relationship Between Sub-outcome and Contributing Outputs

The following chart provides a diagrammatic representation of the output groups and individual outputs feeding into those groups, contributing to Outcome 1 (Environment).

CHANGES TO OUTCOMES AND OUTPUTS

The AGO has changed its output structure since the 2003-04 Budget.

A new output structure has been developed to better align the outputs of the organization with the Climate Change Strategy. As a guide:

• The work conducted through the previous Output 1.1 will now be progressed through Output 1.1 International engagement and Output 1.3 Foundation.
• The work conducted through the previous Outputs 1.2 to 1.4 will now be progressed through Output 1.2 Emissions management.
• The work conducted through the previous Output 1.5 will now be progressed through Output 1.3 Foundation.

The Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) will continue to work towards an effective global response to climate change through enhanced international engagement and targeted domestic action in a way that:

•  advances our national interest;

•  meets our internationally agreed 108% target; and

•  positions Australia as a strong competitive economy with a lower greenhouse signature.

AGO actions will include:

• the development and implementation of bilateral partnerships and projects that deliver mutual practical benefit for Australia and partner countries;
• building the capacity of developing countries to take action on climate change;
• extending Australia's world class expertise in climate science;
• the development of a coherent, nationally coordinated, strategic response to climate change;
• building Australia's capacity for effective adaptation strategies;
• leading action on Australia's commitment to the 108% target;
• action to increase the uptake of energy efficiency;
• support for the development and uptake of proven and emerging low emissions technologies;
• continued building of capacity through voluntary partnerships with industry, business and the community;
• enhancing Australia's regional development and natural resource management by promoting greenhouse action on the land;
• robust projections of Australia's progress in meeting our 108% target; and
• policy advice on domestic and international climate change matters including the Renewable Energy (Electricity) Act 2000 and other relevant legislation.

MEASURES AFFECTING THE SUB-OUTCOME

The Climate Change Strategy

The Government is committed to lowering Australia's greenhouse gas emissions in a manner that maintains Australia's strong and internationally competitive economy. Funding of $248.3 million will be provided over the period 2004-05 to 2007-08 to implement a range of new measures designed to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions under the Government's Climate Change Strategy. This funding will be in addition to $215.2 million over four years to maintain existing programmes administered by the Australian Greenhouse Office. The Strategy is designed to ensure that Australia remains on track to meet the 108 percent Kyoto emission target in the period 2008 to 2012.

The Government has allocated $30.7 million for scientific research to better understand and predict how future changes in Australia's climate will impact on our environment, communities and industry. Funding of $27 million will foster the development of innovative low emissions technologies.

The strategy includes $20.1 million for Australia to actively participate in various international fora.

Funding of $178.0 million will be reallocated within the existing resources of the Australian Greenhouse Office, through a reprioritisation of funding from existing programmes, including the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme, the Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme and the Renewable Remote Power Generation Programme. Revenue of $2.7 million over four years will also result from the continued administration of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target.

The Climate Change Strategy – action on energy efficiency

The Government will provide funding of $26.7 million over four years to increase the uptake of cost-effective and technically proven energy efficiency opportunities across the economy.

The measure integrates and upgrades existing greenhouse energy efficiency measures, and will contribute to lowering Australia's greenhouse emissions signature. The Government will work with industry, business, the community and all levels of government to increase the uptake of cost-effective energy efficiency opportunities that will encourage reduced greenhouse emissions, reduce energy demand and improve Australia's competitiveness.

The Climate Change Strategy – Challenge Plus – Industry Partnerships

The Government will provide funding of $31.3 million over four years to extend and strengthen the Greenhouse Challenge Programme.

Challenge Plus - Industry Partnerships is a voluntary programme that encourages business and industry to manage and report their greenhouse emissions. This measure will give Australia a world-leading voluntary programme that will promote reduced greenhouse emissions and provide more consistent reporting of emissions levels. Industry and business will have an opportunity to display their greenhouse credentials to potential customers, as well as an increased capacity to factor greenhouse risks and opportunities into planning and operational decisions.

The Climate Change Strategy – Climate Change Science Programme

The Government will provide funding of $30.7 million over four years to maintain Australia's world class expertise in climate change science.

Scientific knowledge is fundamental to the capacity of government, industry and the community to understand and respond to climate change. This measure will enhance understanding of the key drivers of climate change in Australia, improve modelling of climate variability and climate change, develop regional climate change projections and foster collaboration in international climate change research.

The Climate Change Strategy – emissions measurement and analysis

The Government will provide funding of $29.6 million over four years to fund the ongoing production of fundamental data and analysis to inform decision making on greenhouse policy.

Australia's ability to report domestically and internationally on emissions levels and trends is underpinned by robust emissions measurement and analysis. This measure ensures that Australia will be able to fulfil our international reporting commitments by providing ongoing funding for the National Greenhouse Gas Inventory, greenhouse projections and emissions analysis and a world class National Carbon Accounting System.

The Climate Change Strategy – local greenhouse action

The Government will provide funding of $13.2 million over four years to engage local government and the community in identifying and implementing practical actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Australia's seven million households collectively produce one-fifth of Australia's total greenhouse emissions. This programme will help focus on reducing these emissions.

The Climate Change Strategy – greenhouse action to enhance sustainability in regional Australia

The Government will provide funding of $19.5 million over four years to establish effective partnerships with industry, research organisations and the States to deliver greenhouse gas abatement improvements in agriculture and land management.

Agricultural and other land-based emissions contribute around one-third of Australia's greenhouse emissions. In turn, these sectors can be particularly vulnerable to the potential impacts of climate change. This measure will provide funds to assist rural communities to reduce emissions from land based sectors by helping land managers to measure and report on their greenhouse emissions, and by encouraging new abatement technologies.

The Climate Change Strategy – influencing international climate change policy

The Government will provide funding of $20.1 million over four years to work towards a more comprehensive and effective global response to climate change consistent with Australia's national interests.

This measure will provide specialist technical, analytical and scientific advice to underpin Australia's active participation in international negotiations on climate change. Funding will support multilateral climate change negotiations and processes, help build the capacity of developing countries to take effective climate change action, and expand bilateral partnerships with key strategic countries.

The Climate Change Strategy – low emissions technology and abatement

The Government will provide funding of $26.9 million over four years to encourage ongoing investment in the development, demonstration and deployment of low emission technologies, and other cost-effective abatement activities.

This measure supports cost-effective improvements in the efficiency of existing technologies and encourages the development of new low emissions technologies. A combination of competitive funding approaches and direct support will be used to leverage private sector investment.

The Climate Change Strategy – National Climate Change Adaptation Programme

The Government will provide funding of $14.2 million over four years to prepare Australian governments and vulnerable industries, communities and ecosystems to manage unavoidable consequences of climate change.

This measure will address the impacts and adaptation aspect of climate change. It provides national leadership and coordination on assessment of climate change impacts, and enables risks to be managed and opportunities to be captured through effective adaptation. Detailed assessments of the economic and social implications of climate change will be undertaken to identify and evaluate adaptation options for vulnerable industries and regional communities.

The Climate Change Strategy – strategic national response

The Government will provide funding of $25.6 million over four years to coordinate greenhouse policy across Australian Government agencies, and between the different levels of government, as well as engaging with business, industry and the community.

This measure will support other elements of the Government's Climate Change Strategy through the continued provision of whole-of-government advice on domestic greenhouse policy issues, and the provision of information and education programmes to promote awareness of climate change.

The Climate Change Strategy – reprioritisation of funding from existing programmes

Funding of $178 million will be reallocated within the existing resources of the Australian Greenhouse Office to partially fund new measures designed to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. Programmes from which funding will be reprioritised include the Greenhouse Gas Abatement Programme and the Alternative Fuels Conversion Programme.

TOTAL RESOURCES FOR THE SUB-OUTCOME

The following Table 2.1 provides details of the financial resources for the Australian Greenhouse Office. It shows the expenditure for each output group, revenue from Government, revenue from other sources and the total price of outputs. The average staffing level for this Sub-outcome also appears at the end of the table.

CONTRIBUTION OF OUTPUTS

The AGO's outputs of:

• international engagement;
• emissions management; and
• foundation

are aimed specifically at meeting Australia's international greenhouse commitments.

The Australian Greenhouse Office (AGO) will continue to work towards an effective global response to climate change through enhanced international engagement and targeted domestic action in a way that:

• advances our national interest ;
• meets our internationally agreed 108% target; and
• positions Australia as a strong competitive economy with a lower greenhouse signature.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION FOR THE OUTCOME

Table 2.2 lists the performance information that the Australian Greenhouse Office will use to assess the level of its achievement of the Sub-outcome during 2004-05. It comprises three parts:

(A) overall achievement - performance information for the outcome overall;

(B) performance information for Administered items - qualitative and quantitative information for each administered item; and

(C) performance information for Departmental Outputs - quantitative, qualitative and, price for each output.

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

Achievement of planned performance will be reported in the Australian Greenhouse Office's 2003-04 Annual Report.

EVALUATIONS

The Australian National Audit Office Audit Report No 34 2003-04 The Administration of Major Programmes: Australian Greenhouse Office was tabled in Parliament on 5 March 2004. The audit examines and reports on the administrative effectiveness and value for money obtained from initiatives designed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

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