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.
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