IMF boss urges Australian govt not to abandon climate change action

“Australia was very much at the forefront, Australia was pioneering in this field and I would hope that it continues to be a pioneer,”

IMF chief Christine Lagarde in veiled criticism of government’s climate role The Age February 15, 2014 Peter Wilson, Jonathan Swan Christine Lagarde, Christine Lagarde, the head of the International Monetary Fund, has urged the Abbott government not to abandon Australia’s role as what she calls “a pioneer” in the debate on climate change.

The former finance minister of France said it would be a mistake to assign climate issues to “the backburner” because action to reduce carbon emissions cou ld strengthen economic growth as well as protect the environment.

Speaking in Paris before her first visit to Australia as IMF chief next week to attend a G20 meeting, Ms Lagarde said previous Australian governments had played an important role in international debates about climate change.

“Australia was very much at the forefront, Australia was pioneering in this field and I would hope that it continues to be a pioneer,” said Ms Lagarde, who as a politician was a conservative. “I do think that climate change issues and progress in that regard are critical and are not just fantasies, they are real issues.”……

Despite being criticised for unwinding the previous government’s hard-won pricing on carbon pollution, Mr Hunt suggested “anyone who supports tackling climate change would support repealing the carbon tax”…….

Labor environment spokesman Mark Butler said he was not surprised that “international communities [were] shocked by the Abbott government’s ignorance” about climate policy.

“Much of the world, including countries such as China, America and Korea, are forging ahead with serious action on climate change while Tony Abbott is intent on sending Australia backwards,” Mr Butler said. “This policy retreat on such a critical issue is embarrassing Australia on the international stage.” http://www.smh.com.au/national/imf-chief-christine-lagarde-in-veiled-criticism-of-governments-climate-role-20140214-32r9u.html#ixzz2tPtJTBMr