Ambitious climate policies needed in Australia to achieve COP21 targets
Australia needs to replace coal-fired power with clean energy alternatives by 2035 if it is to meet its commitments from the Paris climate agreement
Australia needs to replace coal-fired power with clean energy alternatives by 2035 if it is to meet its commitments from the Paris climate agreement, according to The Climate Institute.
The Institute made the recommendations in a new submission to the Climate Change Authority’s review of Australia’s policy framework.
John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute, said: “Global temperatures are smashing records right now and Australia’s emissions are rising again… The nation’s climate and energy policies lack the credible objectives, the tools and the urgency needed to back recent international commitments, let alone build an innovative, safer, zero pollution Australian economy.”
The Climate Change Authority released the second draft report of its Special Review on Australia’s climate targets and policies in November 2015, as part of an initiative from the Minister for Environment.
The Authority is assessing a range of policies including various emissions trading systems currently.
The Climate Institute’s review focused “on the implications for future policy of the Paris Agreement and Australia’s commitment to it” and concluded that “Australia currently lacks a clear strategy to manage the risks and opportunities of a net zero emissions world.”
John Connor added: “We need to move beyond arguments about the value of carbon pricing and provide a policy framework that can do the job… There can be no durable policy framework without an objective for zero emissions; carbon budget analysis; and electricity market direct action to replace our ageing and inefficient coal burning power stations with clean energy. Carbon prices are important, but we need to be aware of their limitation in current political and investment realities.”
The submission concluded that “discussion around Australia’s domestic policy setting, post the adoption of Paris Agreement, is an opportunity to look beyond the short-term and examine the ultimate objectives of national climate change policy.”
