Image: istockphoto.com
Senate votes down ETS: Australians still demand strong climate action
The Australian Conservation Foundation has expressed disappointment that the Senate has failed to pass a strong emissions trading scheme and reminded politicians that most Australians expected their representatives to take action on climate change.
“It is very disappointing our parliamentarians have again failed to establish a strong emissions trading scheme,” said ACF executive director Don Henry.
“Emissions trading is not the only way to respond to climate change, but putting a cap on emissions and a price on carbon would drive significant cuts to greenhouse pollution across our economy.
“The 20 per cent renewable energy target is the strongest piece of climate legislation we have. Without an emissions trading scheme Australia would need 12 climate laws of this scale to achieve emissions cuts of at least 25 per cent by 2020."
Without emissions trading Australia will need to establish national laws to make the economy highly energy efficient, mandate fuel efficient cars, introduce stronger renewable energy measures like a gross solar feed-in tariff, invest in public transport and protect our carbon-storing forests and savannahs.
“Businesses should be absolutely clear about this: if we have no emissions trading scheme things will not revert back to the days before climate regulation," Mr Henry said. “Instead we would move to a time of great uncertainty for business in which every pollution-intensive facility and industry in the country would face a multitude of climate laws and regulations from federal, state and local governments.
“Each year of delay will cost Australians more. ACF will continue to campaign vigorously for a strengthened emissions trading scheme.
“We urge all politicians to remember that the majority of Australians expect them to deliver strong action on climate change.”
Australia still has the opportunity to be a leader at Copenhagen climate negotiations next month by complementing our commitment to reducing greenhouse emissions by 25 per cent by 2020 with support for strong international finance to help developing nations cut their emissions and adapt to climate change.
This is where YOU can help by sending the message that you want strong action on climate change from Australia in Copenhagen.
Don Henry and a team from ACF will be attending the negotiations as an official UN-approved observer. You can give Don your proxy, authorising him to speak on your behalf at negotiations and make it loud and clear that you want to see results for our climate.
Click here to make your voice heard and make Don Henry your official proxy at Copenhagen »
Read our media release 'Hard slog ahead on climate with a weak CPRS' »
Read our media brief 'ACF tests for an ‘environmentally effective’ CPRS' »