GREENHOUSE GAS MITIGATION – GOVERNMENT POLICY – AUSTRALIA

Australia warned it could be isolated over climate inaction after Joe Biden victory

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Original article by Adam Morton
The Guardian – Page: Online : 9-Nov-20

President-elect Joe Biden has set a net zero emissions for the US of no later than 2050, while he has committed to rejoining the Paris climate agreement. Howard Bamsey, Australia’s former special envoy on climate change, suspects the topic will come up in Biden’s first or second conversation with Prime Minister Scott Morrison, while former Australian diplomat to the UN Dean Bialek says Australia risks being further isolated as a "climate laggard" if it adheres to its current inaction.

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UNITED STATES. EXECUTIVE OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Energy split as Lib says zero target too tough

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Original article by Greg Brown, Elias Visontay
The Australian – Page: 4 : 11-Feb-20

More than 80 countries have committed to a target of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, and some members of the Liberal Party’s moderate faction believe that Australia should also adopt this target. However, moderate Liberal Jason Falinski doubts that Australia could achieve this target, given that it is a major energy and agriculture exporter. Conservative Liberal senator Eric Abetz also questions the viability of a 2050 zero emissions target. There is also dissension within the Coalition’s ranks with regard to taxpayer funding for new coal-fired power stations.

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LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Australia will take new emissions reduction target to Glasgow climate summit

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Original article by Rob Harris
The Age – Page: Online : 10-Feb-20

Energy Minister Angus Taylor says the federal government will develop a new long-term carbon emissions reduction strategy ahead of the United Nations climate summit in November. He has stressed that the government is of the view that new technologies rather than taxes are the key to reducing carbon emissions. However, the government has declined to commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2050. Meanwhile, independent MP Zali Steggall plans to introduce a private member’s bill to establish an independent Climate Change Commission.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY, AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Bandt abused PM with deaths claim

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Original article by Rosie Lewis
The Australian – Page: 4 : 5-Feb-20

Adam Bandt has stepped up his attack on the federal government’s environmental credentials after being elected unopposed as the new leader of the Greens. He has claimed that the Coalition’s climate change policy will result in many more deaths than the recent bushfires, as it will result in a 3-degree temperature increase. Bandt also contends that the business models of fossil fuel producers are unsustainable, and he has called for domestic coal-fired power generation and coal exports to be phased out by 2030. Larissa Waters and Nick McKim are the new joint deputy leaders of the Greens.

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AUSTRALIAN GREENS

PM stays course on coal, climate

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Original article by Geoff Chambers, Greg Brown
The Australian – Page: 1 & 6 : 30-Jan-20

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has used a National Press Club speech to reiterate the federal government’s commitment to its 2030 target for reducing carbon emissions by 26-28 per cent. He noted that the Paris Agreement allows developing countries to continue increasing their carbon emissions, and stressed the need to address the ‘climate gap’ between nations. Morrison also defended Australia’s coal export trade, arguing that if it is shut down coal buyers will merely seek alternative sources of coal that may be of lower quality.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NATIONAL PRESS CLUB (AUSTRALIA)

NZ blasted for climate hypocrisy

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Original article by Greg Brown
The Australian – Page: 2 : 28-Jan-20

New Zealand has previously criticised Australia over its plans to use Kyoto carry-over credits to meet its 2030 Paris emission targets. However, New Zealand has indicated that it intends to use carry-over credits from meeting its 2012 Kyoto target in order to meet its 2020 Kyoto target, which has sparked claims of hypocrisy from Australian federal government MPs. Australia is tipped to meet its 2020 Kyoto target without having to resort to using Kyoto carry-over credits.

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No more carbon cuts, PM warned

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Original article by Rosie Lewis
The Australian – Page: 1 & 5 : 16-Jan-20

Some Coalition MPs say that the federal government must not make significant changes to its carbon emission reduction targets in response to the bushfires crisis. Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated that the nation will exceed its 2030 target of reducing emissions by 26-28 per cent; he has also emphasised that a range of measures in response to climate change are needed, rather than simply reducing emissions. Former National Party leader Barnaby has called for the construction of nuclear power plants in Australia, as well as clean-coal power stations. Sources within the government have suggested that reviving the national energy guarantee policy is unlikely.

CORPORATES
AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET, NATIONAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, LIBERAL PARTY OF AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY

Technology is the key to climate policy

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Original article by John Kehoe, Andrew Tillett
The Australian Financial Review – Page: 3 : 14-Jan-20

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has indicated a slight shift in the federal government’s approach to climate change in the wake of the bushfires crisis. This follows community angst about the apparent link between climate change and the hotter and drier summer weather that contributed to the crisis. The government sees investments in low-emissions technology as the best way to cut carbon emissions and meet its 2030 carbon emissions targets, and it may not need to use Kyoto carryover credits to reach these targets.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE PRIME MINISTER AND CABINET

Carbon accounting trick a no-go for ALP

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Original article by Rosie Lewis
The Australian – Page: 4 : 12-Dec-19

Energy Minister Angus Taylor says the federal government will only use Kyoto carry-over credits to the extent necessary to meet its 2030 carbon emissions reduction targets under the Paris climate agreement. Opposition leader Anthony Albanese has reiterated that Labor will not use the carry-over credits if it wins the next federal election. Meanwhile, a report produced by Climate Analytics on behalf of the Australia Institute has questioned the legality of using carry-over credits.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF THE ENVIRONMENT AND ENERGY, AUSTRALIAN LABOR PARTY, CLIMATE ANALYTICS, THE AUSTRALIA INSTITUTE LIMITED

Climate plan no barrier to trade deal

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Original article by Ben Packham
The Australian – Page: 4 : 4-Dec-19

Trade Minister Simon Birmingham says the federal government will seek a free-trade agreement with the European Union that is in Australia’s best interests overall. The EU’s ambassador to Australia, Michael Pulch, has indicated that Australia’s climate change policies will not affect negotiations for a free-trade deal. Paris Agreement signatories will review their carbon emissions reduction commitments in 2023, and Pulch hopes Australia will use this opportunity to increase its reduction targets.

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AUSTRALIA. DEPT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND TRADE