COUNTRIES LINE UP TO QUESTION ABBOTT ON CLIMATE CHANGE

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment
 Climate Change and Water

Date:  20 April 2015

As expected, Tony Abbott's weak stance on climate change is being criticised by our major trading partners who have committed to take strong action. 

Reports today reveal China, the US and other nations are concerned Australia is not doing its fair share to reduce carbon pollution, calling into question Tony Abbott's woeful polluters' slush fund as an appropriate climate policy.  

"China and the US are the world's biggest emitters, and they've both made ambitious commitments to reduce their carbon pollution," Shadow Minister for Climate Change Mark Butler said. 

"The US has introduced pollution limits into law. This year sees China launch its eight Emissions Trading Schemes, moving to a national ETS in the next few years.  

"Conversely, Tony Abbott is dishing out billions in tax payers' money to big polluters, has ruined Australia's renewable energy industry and removed Australia's legal cap on carbon pollution. 

"As the biggest polluter per capita in the OECD, Australia has a responsibility to do its fair share to reduce its carbon pollution. But, it is also in our national interest to work with  our biggest trading partners, China, the US and Europe for a global response to climate change." 

The Abbott Government's recently released Energy White Paper shows Tony Abbott appears to be walking away for Australia's global commitment to limit global warming to no more than two degrees Celsius. The White Paper is based on a four degree warming scenario. 

"Australia is obliged to meet its global commitments. All the scientists warn of catastrophic consequences for scenarios above two degrees, yet Tony Abbott seems to have casually decided he knows better and dropped that long-held bipartisan commitment." 

"Today's reports are likely to be just the beginning of our partners' and neighbours' concerns about Australia's climate action while Tony Abbott continues his determination to do nothing," Mr Butler said.