IPCC 1.5°C report results: States must lead the way on climate action

Environment Victoria is calling for states to lead the way on climate action while the Federal Government is missing in action following today’s alarming Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report.

The report’s advice on limiting global warming to 1.5°C is a wake-up call for the Morrison government, who have no plan to drive down climate pollution to achieve net zero emissions. Given the federal government’s negligence, Environment Victoria is calling for the States to take their place as leaders in the race to stop global warming.

“Today’s report highlights the need for decisive action. We are currently seeing the Morrison government’s inability and unwillingness to act to keep future generations safe,” said Mark Wakeham, CEO of Environment Victoria.

“It is more important than ever that state governments lead given the Federal Government’s consistent failure to act.

“Victoria is currently an international leader when it comes to encouraging investment in renewables and reducing emissions. We can build on this solid start and drive investment in cleaning up and modernising our economy.

“Analysis shows Australia’s Federal policies are leading to an alarming increase in pollution and are consistent with 3 to 4 degrees of warming. The IPCC report confirms such a result would be catastrophic for individual communities, natural systems and human civilisation itself.

“We are already seeing the impact of the current 1°C average rise in global temperatures. Eastern Australia is bracing for another horrific fire season following record heat and well below average rainfall.

“Research by Australian scientists has found that events like the ‘Angry Summer’ of 2012-13, when parts of Melbourne rail and road infrastructure began to fail and bushfires burned across Tasmania, could occur every two years with even 1.5°C of warming.

“If warming reaches 2 degrees, these kinds of events could occur nearly every year and the likelihood of Melbourne experiencing extreme heatwaves of above 50 degrees increases significantly.

“Our federal government is failing us. Environment Victoria is calling on the states to demonstrate to the Federal government and international community that Australia can act decisively to cut carbon pollution and limit global warming to achieve the objectives of the Paris Agreement and more,” said Mr Wakeham.

Want more detail, read the FAQ guide to the IPCC’s 1.5 degree report here.