Australian emissions continue to climb, as the Federal Government’s latest pollution figures show.
And the Climate Council has attacked Australia’s 12-month review of climate policy as a “farce” with no new policies to tackle climate change.
The quarterly update of Australia’s National Greenhouse Gas Inventory subsequently reveals a 0.7% rise in carbon emissions between July 2016 and June 2017.
Meanwhile, the 2017 Review of Climate Change Policies serves as a summary of Government energy initiatives – with nothing new to combat pollution.
Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie dubbed the review a “wasted opportunity” to act on climate change. It’s like “unwrapping a gift on Christmas morning and finding there’s nothing inside”, she claims.
Australian emissions defended in Government report
The Federal Government uses the 12-month climate review to defend its policies on renewable energy and fossil fuels.
It therefore claims success across the board in:
- Exceeding initial Kyoto carbon targets.
- Being on track to reduce emissions by 26-28 per cent of 2005 levels by 2030.
- Having strong domestic carbon reduction policies.
- Engaging in international climate aid and research programs.
Yet the independent climate body points to consistent government failure in tackling global warming.
According to Climate Council Head of Research Dr Martin Rice, the critical window of opportunity to act is also closing fast.
Worsening extreme weather, like heatwaves and bushfires, will therefore continue to threaten the environment, he says. Unless the government acts now to stem rising carbon emissions, time will run out.
This means transitioning to clean, affordable and reliable electricity. Solar panel efficiency and solar energy storage are constantly progressing, Dr Rice claims.
Government policy failing to tackle climate change
Meanwhile, the Federal Government heralds the Emissions Reduction Fund and National Energy Guarantee (NEG) as climate policy wins.
It cites growing electric vehicle use and the Snowy hydro electric scheme as examples of renewable energy policies.
According to Ms McKenzie, however, the climate review fails to tackle the root cause of the problem – rising fossil fuel pollution.
Subsequently, the government has stuck to a coal-first agenda. It has also chosen to back the Adani-Carmichael mine in Queensland over clean energy projects like solar power systems and battery storage.
The government consulted widely with businesses, energy companies and stakeholders across Australia to compile its review.
