Can you cut 1 Tonne of carbon pollution out of your life?
Take the challengeSo what is the Australian Government's policy direction on emissions reductions?
If you were listening to Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt on ABC Radio's AM program this morning, you might be wondering the same thing.
Climate change policy is touted to dominate the political agenda in Australia this week as the Government is expected to announce its post-2020 emissions reduction targets to be presented at the Paris climate summit later this year.
Read: What is the Paris summit and why is it so important?
Although, after listening to Mr. Hunt talk about anything but the Government's targets and more about those of the Opposition (interviewer Michael Brissenden even had to remind Mr. Hunt who is actually in government), we're feeling very disempowered about just what those targets will be.
What Australia needs, are pollution reduction targets that will protect Australia's future and do our bit in helping achieve the internationally agreed goal of avoiding going above 2°C of global warming.
Brissenden probed Mr. Hunt repeatedly as to whether the Government was still committed to keeping global temperatures below the 2-degree mark. Mr. Hunt replied in roundabout fashion:
"...we are part of that global goal, but that doesn't mean that we necessarily adopt these targets in any way shape or form."- Greg Hunt
How do we get there then if Australia does not adopt strong emissions reductions targets?
The Government it appears will rely on their so-called 'Direct Action' model to reach climate targets:
"Our policy is the Emissions Reduction Fund, which has been successful, is our fundamental pillar, not just between now and 2030 but for as long as we have influence over this space."- Greg Hunt
The Emissions Reduction Fund (ERF) is a central element of the Australian Government's Direct Action Plan (which replaced Labor's carbon pricing scheme which began in 2012 with 'the carbon tax').
The ERF's current objective is to help Australia meet its bipartisan - both the Coalition Government and the Labor Opposition agree on this - emissions reduction target of 5% below 2000 levels by 2020.
At 1 Million Women we have already talked about this target of 5% being far too low, and have submitted our position on targets to the Australian Government:
"Australia needs to set a series of strong emission reduction target milestones in the range of 30-40% of the 2000 baseline by 2025, 50-60% by 2030 and then progressively increasing to reach 100% by 2050."- 1 Million Women
The Climate Change Authority, also recommends the target be much higher, with their submission of a 2025 target of 30 per cent below 2000 levels.
In a new report released today by The Climate Institute, the unpopularity of the ERF is highlighted:
"The core element of the government's 'Direct Action' plan, the taxpayer backed Emissions Reduction Fund, is unpopular with over three quarters (76%) agreeing that policy should shift responsibility for pollution reduction to the polluters not taxpayers."
The report mentions that Labor's recent renewables goal and climate announcements appear to better reflect public sentiment, and argues that Australia should be taking greater action on climate change. Yet almost 47% agree that ALP policies will "just increase electricity prices and not do much about pollution".
Australia has already signed on to the crucial global target of keeping warming below 2 degrees. The big question remaining is how?
Central to Australia's response must be a plan to modernise and decarbonise our power sector which is propped up by aging and highly polluting coal-fired power plants.
A pathway to net zero carbon pollution is an opportunity to modernise the Australian economy and build a sustainable, prosperous future.
Greg Hunt said on AM:
"we need to clean up our emissions but we need to do it in a way which is sustainable and which is acceptable and affordable."- Greg Hunt
Well, we can do this Mr. Hunt, with strong emissions reduction targets and strong policies to deliver them. Failure to do so will be unsustainable, unacceptable and unaffordable!
1 Million Women will be following the news this week and update you on any announcements on targets, although Mr. Hunt hinted on AM that this could happen later in the month and not this week as many hope.
READ THIS NEXT: Unprecedented alliance of Australian peak bodies in a strong call for climate action
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