British report slams Australia for its polluting industries, high carbon emissions
New British report highlights urgent need for action on renewable energy investment in Australia ABC Radio PM David Taylor reported this story on Friday, March 27, 2015 MARK COLVIN: A new British report has singled out four Australian energy companies as being among the worst polluters in the world. The research from Oxford University warns of the risks they pose to the economy and the environment.Australia has 22 coal-fired power stations which account for around a quarter of the nation’s carbon emissions.
DAVID TAYLOR: Leading international researchers say Australia has a poor record on tackling greenhouse emissions produced by the nation’s energy companies.
Now, a British report has singled out some of the nation’s worst polluters.
Oxford University researcher, Ben Caldecott.
BEN CALDECOTT: Those were AGL, Origin, Stanwell, and Delta.
DAVID TAYLOR: He’s currently in Australia as a guest of the University of Sydney. He says Australia has a lot of work to do to meet international standards on renewable energy.
BEN CALDECOTT: So the International Energy Agency has calculated that a quarter of the world’s sub-critical capacity needs to be shut down by 2020. Australia has 26 gigawatts of that capacity, which is a, you know, nearly 10 per cent of that total.
DAVID TAYLOR: Associate Professor Iain MacGill is a director of the Centre for Energy and Environmental Markets. He agrees with the research from Oxford University, but says there seems to be resistance to implement direct action on meeting climate energy targets.
Ben Caldecott points the finger at the Australian Government.
BEN CALDECOTT: Coming from the UK and travelling extensively for our research and our work, Australia is not seen as one of the leaders on this issue, quite the opposite, and I think that’s a shame, and it’s a problem for a country that’s incredibly wealthy and has assets…
DAVID TAYLOR: Does that make commissioning a report like this, and communicating a report like this in Australia more difficult?
BEN CALDECOTT: Yes, it does. Most definitely.
DAVID TAYLOR: PM sought comment from the Federal Environment Minister, Greg Hunt, but he was unavailable………Associate Professor Iain MacGill says the companies spewing out the most pollution don’t deserve any money or assistance in replacing old power stations……..http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2015/s4206262.htm
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