Tougher cuts to Australian carbon pollution emissions announced today by Labor Leader Bill Shorten have been welcomed by Environment Victoria in the lead up to United Nations climate negotiations in Paris next week. However the targets still fall short of what the science says is required.
The target of 45 percent emission reductions by 2030 has been recommended by the independent Climate Change Authority, and will be used by the ALP to guide further negotiations with stakeholders on the target.
Nicholas Aberle, Environment Victoria Safe Climate Campaign Manager said today:
“This target represents a good step towards the national leadership that has been missing for so long. Bill Shorten and the ALP are stepping up to the plate on action to reduce climate pollution while the Turnbull Government still clings desperately to Tony Abbott’s hopeless policies.
“It is encouraging that Prime Minister Turnbull will be attending the Paris climate negotiations, but he is still entering the negotiations with inadequate targets and ineffective policies. Until both of these are fixed, Australia will continue to fail the international climate test.
“If Australia is to play a meaningful part in international climate pollution reduction efforts and develop the industries of the future with international investment in new clean energy technologies, we will need all sides of Australian politics to adopt ambitious targets.”
Environment Victoria welcomes reports that Mr Shorten will also back a longer term goal of zero net emissions by 2050, but is urging parties to set higher short-term targets to ensure emissions start falling immediately.