State Govts must push for stronger targets, not abandon efforts

Senator Christine Milne
STATE Governments should be pushing the Rudd Government to adopt a strong emissions reduction target instead of rethinking their own climate policies, the Australian Greens said today.
According to a report in today’s The Age newspaper, the Brumby Government is being advised to rethink its emissions reductions policies as they will not contribute to greater emissions reductions under the Rudd Government’s CPRS. This could lead to the worst possible outcome of weak climate action at every level.

“Now is not the time to drop the ball on climate change,” said Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne.

“Now is the time for everyone concerned to be pushing for strong emissions reduction targets which all of us will need to work hard to achieve and which will motivate and inspire action at every level.

“If a bad emissions trading scheme leads to State Governments also cutting back on their efforts to reduce emissions, it will be more difficult to achieve the cuts we need when we finally adopt serious targets. Our efforts will go backwards, leaving us even less prepared for action than we currently are.

“The flip-side of that coin is that the best way to fix the problem of individual and Government action not being additional is to lift the target to a really challenging, and environmentally effective, level.

“If a target is hard enough, everyone will embrace action to help reach it. A weak target disempowers the whole of Australia, from householders to State Governments.

“Nobody seriously believes that a 5% target, which is the only certainty the Rudd Government is offering, is defensible.

“5% sends a signal to Australians concerned about climate change that they should give up in despair. 40%, with a longer term goal of a carbon neutral Australia, will bring everybody on board, driving innovation, cooperation and positive vision in the grand effort to prevent climate catastrophe.”

Senator Milne is in Perth today to question Professor Ross Garnaut and others at hearings of the Senate Economics Committee into the CPRS.

http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au