Environment groups today criticised Labor’s target to cut Victoria’s greenhouse pollution as not good enough – well below other states and not paying heed to the science.
Worldwide, scientists have agreed we need to make deep cuts in our greenhouse pollution in order to avoid dangerous climate change. A target to reduce pollution levels by at least 60% by 2050 using a 1990 baseline has been adopted by South Australia and many countries across the globe.
Contrary to this target, Labor is mischievously adopting a similar sounding target, but using a 2000 as a starting point.
Environment Victoria Executive Director Marcus Godinho said, “Labor is starting the clock ten years later than everyone else and not including the substantial increase in Victoria’s greenhouse pollution that occurred between 1990 and 2000.”
In 1990 Victoria’s greenhouse pollution was 108 million tonnes. By 2000 it had risen to 121 million tonnes.
As part of the Labor campaign launch the Party committed to a low emissions generation target which was welcomed by green groups.
“The low emissions generation target will guarantee that Victoria’s next major base load power station will be much cleaner than coal-fired power stations.
“The target paves the way for gas-fired power stations which produce three to four times less pollution than Hazelwood, in addition to renewable energy.
Labor is also yet to announce whether it will commit to interim targets.
“Environment groups have stressed to all parties that they must commit to reducing greenhouse pollution by 20% by 2020 if we are to avoid severe climate change and intensifying our water crisis.
“Labor has a number of good measures to reduce Victoria’s growth in greenhouse pollution, but it’s difficult to have full confidence in these without medium-term targets.
“A target for 2050 is required but it fails to send the strong signal necessary to energy companies and investors that would be achieved by a 2020 target.”
“Two weeks ago, 40,000 people took to Melbourne’s streets calling on governments to take more action on climate change. While similar walks took place across the world, Melbourne turned out more people than any other city including New York and London.”
For further information see www.walkagainstwarming.org