Federal Government Targets: As a Climate Action Group we have already pointed out that the world is currently experiencing a climate emergency. The first great tipping point, the melting of the Arctic ice-cap is already well away. This could trigger the melting of the Arctic permafrost, releasing long buried methane, and setting off runaway climate change. Scientists are urging that we must act to cut carbon emissions with great urgency. We have endorsed Al Gore’s call to Repower America by producing 100% of their electricity from renewable power by the end of the next decade. The Federal Government’s proposed 5% emissions reduction targets by 2020 are totally inadequate. Everything else on this website becomes totally redundant unless we take action on this issue.
For an explanation of how the proposed emissions trading scheme works (doesn’t work?), click here.
Budget update 17/5/10
CLIMATE ACTION CENTRE
MEDIA RELEASE
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Immediate Release
*Kevin Rudd’s back flip on climate has not been addressed*
Kevin Rudd’s back flip on climate has not been addressed by Wayne Swan’s Budget, the Climate Action Centre said today. “Australian’s angry and disappointed by Kevin Rudd’s recent back flip on climate change will not be mollified by this Budget,” said Damien Lawson, coordinator, Climate Action Centre. “Labor has again failed to take an opportunity to make polluters accountable by putting a price on carbon and cutting subsidies to the coal industry. While there is some new money for energy efficiency and renewable energy in the Budget, it is only $652.5 million over four years, well short of what is needed. The money does not really start to flow until 2012 and there is little detail on how it will be spent. And there is still more money in the Budget for the fossil industry than for climate change, in fact those chasing the clean coal pipe dream still get about as much as the renewable energy sector. Elsewhere the government has slashed $200 million from its Green Car Fund, and failed to put any money into the electric vehicle revolution this country needs. There is no vision for a zero carbon economy in this Budget just more of the same quarry vision that we had under the Howard government. The public will see through this attempt to green wash the Labor government after a hit in the polls because of its climate back flips.” *For information and comment: Damien Lawson 0419 253 342*
Update 24/11/09
As we write this the Federal Labor Government and the Liberal Government are negotiating over amendments to an Emissions Trading Scheme that has been so compromised and watered down that it would be better for the climate if it were not passed. The following web page from the Greens sets out some detail about what is wrong with the CPRS (emissions trading scheme) and suggestions as to what should be done. GSG is not politically aligned but is happy to highlight constructive suggestions that are in line with our mission and objectives.
Update 22/10/09
Renewable Energy Targets Passed! Below is a press release from Environment Victoria which accurately sets out the advantages and problems with the Federal Government’s 20% Renewable Energy Target. Environment Victoria today welcomed the passage of the Renewable Energy Target (RET) through the Federal Parliament, although were disappointed with a number of aspects of the legislation. Environment Victoria Campaigns Director Mark Wakeham said the new laws were a step in the right direction. “Over the next 11 years Australia will move from having approximately six per cent of its electricity coming from renewable energy to 20 per cent. That’s a strong step forward that will deliver substantial investment in clean energy industries and greater emissions reductions than any previous law passed in Australia,” he said. “The RET will create new businesses and jobs that have a vested interest in increasing the level of support for renewable energy.
“We saw this with the Howard Government’s two per cent renewable energy target, and although it was a very small target, it built the foundations for a vocal constituency demanding more support for renewable energy.” Mr Wakeham said Environment Victoria was however disappointed with a number of weaknesses and design flaws in the RET legislation. “Unfortunately under the new RET laws investment in new projects will not happen until the second half of next decade,” he said. “This is for two reasons, firstly, the RET ramps up slowly to 20 per cent, and secondly, the existence of the ‘phantom solar credits’ means that the target will be met in the early years through renewable energy certificates that do not correspond with actual renewable energy generation. “This has the potential to become a major problem that will delay investment in new large scale renewable energy projects. This problem should be fixed by the Rudd Government as the regulations for the legislation are developed. “We are also disappointed that once again big polluters are able to avoid responsibility as a result of the final legislation. We are concerned that the inclusion of methane gas capture and biomass from native forests undermines the scheme’s integrity. “We’d also prefer solar water heating was supported by other policies as it has the potential to dominate the RET and doesn’t actually generate electricity.”
“While we welcome progress in terms of a higher target Australia can and should deliver much more renewable energy than 20% by 2020. Looking forward to the 2010 election we should be looking to catch up to Germany, Spain and other renewable leaders by doubling the renewable energy target to 90,000 GWh by 2020. For further information or comment: Mark Wakeham on 0439 700 501