Antinuclear

Cut carbon emissions by 25% at least – Australia is told

Australia should cut carbon emissions by at least 25% by 2020, says report  Oliver Milman theguardian.com, Monday 28 October 2013 Target of 5% not enough, based on warming ceiling of 2C and Australia’s ‘fair share’ of global carbon budget Australia has already eaten through at least two-thirds of its share of a “carbon budget” that would keep global warming below 2C, requiring it to drastically escalate its emissions reduction target, according to a new report.

The study, conducted by consultancy firm Ecofys at the behest of WWF Australia, states that Australia should look to reduce carbon emissions by a “bare minimum” of 25% by 2020, based on 2000 levels.

According to the report, Australia’s “reasonable and credible” contribution to global emissions, based on a per capita output, should see it scale down emissions by between 27% and 34% by 2020.

Currently, Australia has a bipartisan emissions reduction target of 5%, although this can stretch to 25% depending on whether there are swingeing carbon cuts by major economies around the world.

The Climate Change Authority, the independent body tasked with recommending Australia’s emissions reduction targets, is set to release its latest advice this week. The Coalition has pledged to scrap the authority.

WWF’s findings, which will be submitted to the Climate Change Authority, calculate Australia’s fair share of the world’s carbon budget as 18bn tonnes…….

By comparison, the Obama administration in the US has set a goal to reduce emissions by 17% from 2005 levels by 2020. The European Union has committed its 28 member states to a 20% reduction in emissions on 1990 levels by 2020. The UK, which has a 90% reduction goal by 2050, has pressed the EU to ramp up this target to 30%. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/oct/28/australia-should-reduce-carbon-emissions-by-at-least-25-by-2020

October 29, 2013 - Posted by Christina Macpherson | AUSTRALIA - NATIONAL, climate change - global warming