4. Information Gaps and Areas of Further Analysis
The aim of this project was to conduct a pilot survey into energy use in the greenhouse sector and prepare a report describing the energy and carbon indicators, assess the potential for energy efficiency improvements and identify information gaps.
There is considerable variation in the energy and carbon indicators. Some of this variation can be explained by greenhouse type and location. A larger sample of operations needs to be surveyed to enable indicators with better statistical significance to be developed. Further analysis is needed on the key variables of greenhouse cladding, coal type and location.
One of the factors that is causing uncertainty when determining the national energy use was insufficient data on the area of heated greenhouses, and just as importantly the area and regional distribution of different greenhouse types. This needs to be improved through a grower survey.
When conducting the surveys it became apparent that grower knowledge about the impacts that the Kyoto Protocol will have ranged from very little understanding to considerable understanding and concern. There is a need to improve general grower awareness of the potential impacts. This could initially involve improving grower awareness based on what information is already available. However, there is also the need to improve our confidence in the figures and implications before progressing too far with whatever course of action is chosen.
When we have greater confidence in the data regional models should be developed to show the impact of different greenhouse types and heating strategies.
The issue of net carbon dioxide emissions needs to be properly explained to the industry or else it may became an obstacle to a continued cooperative approach.
An economic analysis is needed into the impact that a carbon tax will have on the industry's domestic and export profitability, including import substitution from non signatory countries to the Kyoto Protocol such as Australia. Greenhouse operations are labour intensive, so any economic analysis should incorporate the social impacts of reduced competitiveness.
It was not possible to adequately investigate energy efficiency improvements. This could be achieved by conducting several energy audits that can identify efficiency improvements and calculated the payback periods.
There has been some discussion amongst growers about using alternative renewable energy sources, such as biomass furnaces. This needs further investigation.
This project investigated the direct energy costs, but the effects of a carbon tax will be felt throughout the supply chain including grading, packing, transport and inputs with high levels of embodied energy like nitrogen fertiliser. The scope of any follow up report needs to be widened to include these indirect energy inputs.
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