Australian: THE eastern states slashed their carbon emissions from energy use by almost 2 per cent last year, as weak economic conditions caused electricity demand to fall. The Climate Group’s annual Greenhouse Indicator, to be released today, shows emissions in Victoria, NSW, Queensland and South Australia were 5.3 million tonnes, or 1.8 per cent, lower last year than in 2008. This followed a rise in emissions from energy use of 1.3 per cent in 2008. The fall in emissions occurred despite …