Antinuclear

Australia in no way an international leader on carbon tax, and Climate Change action

Australia is punching below its weight, ABC 21 Aug 12, GERRY HUESTON“……..we belong to a group of 20 carbon heavyweights – 20 countries that contribute 75 per cent of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. These countries are the most influential and will shape the global response to climate change.

The other great myth put by commentators is that the world is not doing much and therefore neither should Australia.

For those commentators that think we’re leading, I can only say, on what measure? Are we the only country to have a carbon price? No. As of next year 33 countries and state jurisdictions will be using a carbon pricing to reduce emissions and incentivise cleaner energy.

Are we the only country with an emission reduction target? No. Ninety
countries have promised to limit their emissions, including all our
major trading partners.

Are we leading the world in renewable energy? No. Some 118 countries
have policies to grow renewable energy, some far stronger than
Australia’s. Cloudy Germany has positioned itself as a leader on
renewable energy installing more solar photovoltaic units in 2010 than
the entire world in 2009. Meanwhile China is in the top spot for
renewable energy capacity, in 2010 50 per cent of global investment in
renewable energy was from China.

The reality is that Australia is not leading and certainly not the first to act.

The reality is that there is a great deal happening. Is it enough? No,
there is still more to be done. But every major economy is tackling
climate change. As Australia meets its commitments to the global
solution we will be around the middle of the pack.

Countries around the world are using energy smarter and are using
energy from cleaner sources. Brazil, Canada, China, the EU, France,
Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, South Africa,
Republic of Korea, the UK and the US have all implemented energy
efficiency programs. Global investment in renewable power and fuels
has increased sixfold since 2004 and was $257 billion in 2011. The
costs of many technologies are rapidly falling. The cost of producing
solar photovoltaic cells has dropped 75 per cent in the past four
years and 45 per cent in the past 12 months. The importance of clean
energy for Asia is growing. This presents enormous opportunities for
Australians given our proximity, influence and experience in
innovation.
There is another reality that needs to be recognised.
Both major political parties have committed to the same emission
reduction targets regardless of what the rest of world does – five per
cent by 2020. In fact both parties have committed to higher targets
than a five per cent reduction by 2020 if the world moves faster than
expected.

Importantly this is where Australian action can really make a
difference. As countries meet their promises global momentum builds
towards tackling climate change. By meeting our international promise
to reduce emissions we can make a positive difference to building a
more ambitious global solution. This is our best chance of protecting
Australia from the grave implications of a changing climate.

It is firmly in our national interests to do our part, to protect our
heritage and to allow us to capitalise on future global opportunities.
The reality is that the world is moving anyhow, and it is up to
Australia to choose our response. Gerry Hueston is a past president of
BP Australasia, and a current member of the Climate Commission.
http://www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2012/08/21/3572461.htm

August 23, 2012 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | General News