Extract from The Guardian
The group, including former ambassadors and high commissioners, says urgent action is an ‘ethical and moral responsibility towards future generations’
Last modified on Mon 27 Sep 2021 06.40 AEST
A group of 70 former diplomats has warned the Morrison government that failing to sign up to a commitment of net zero emissions by 2050 imperils Australia’s strategic interests and “undermines our credibility as a regional partner”.
The group has written to the prime minister and relevant portfolio ministers arguing that a scientific consensus about the risks associated with runaway global heating renders urgent policy action an “ethical and moral responsibility towards future generations”.
“As former diplomats we are deeply concerned that Australia’s key strategic and economic interests are at risk because of our failure to date to commit to a target of net zero emissions by 2050,” the joint letter says.
“This lack of commitment is particularly concerning to those regional partners for whom climate change already poses a clear existential threat. The United States and other key partners in Europe and around the globe are increasingly voicing concerns that Australia is not pulling its weight on climate action.”
“We fear this inertia will undermine many of the strong international relationships we have built up over decades,” the letter says.
The fresh appeal comes as the Morrison government is attempting to land an internal consensus allowing new climate commitments to be unveiled before the Cop26 in Glasgow in November.
While metropolitan Liberals want the government to adopt the mid-century target, and two senior ministers, Josh Frydenberg and Simon Birmingham have argued the economic case to sign up – ructions continue in the junior Coalition partner.
Some Nationals are implacably opposed to net zero. On Sunday, the Nationals deputy leader David Littleproud said he expected any colleagues who opposed net zero to fall into line if the party room ultimately adopted the commitment.
But Littleproud’s Queensland colleague Matt Canavan signalled he was prepared to defy his party room if a majority wants to sign up.
While opponents dug in, the Victorian National Darren Chester – who supports an aspirational mid-century target, and has been frustrated by the unwillingness of the deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce to confront some of his backers over their damaging views – said on Sunday that he is taking a break from the National party.
The government wants to unveil its position next month. The energy and emissions reduction minister, Angus Taylor, is working on a technology roadmap that the government hopes will be sufficiently persuasive to allow the Nationals party room to support a 2050 commitment.
Australia has faced diplomatic pressure from some of its most important allies to make the net zero pledge and also increase the ambition of existing emissions reduction targets for 2030.
Representatives from diplomatic missions in Australia have also encouraged the Morrison government to do more. Italy’s top diplomat in Canberra warned last week there was “no time to lose” in fighting the climate crisis.
The Italian ambassador, Francesca Tardioli, said she was hopeful Australia would sign up to net zero. She also stressed the need for countries including Australia to upgrade their 2030 targets, saying “circumstances have changed over the last five years and it is only wise to take notice of this and act accordingly, raising our ambition”.
“There is no second chance if we fail,” she said in an interview with Guardian Australia.
“There is no time to lose, not any more, if we collectively want to save our planet. This is not rhetoric, let alone catastrophism: this is science.”
Italy is hosting a preparatory meeting of Glasgow conference, known as the “pre-Cop”, and an associated youth event in late September and early October. Italy is also chair of this year’s G20 summit, where climate will be a priority.
The group of former Australian diplomats that has written to Morrison and portfolio ministers includes ambassadors, high commissioners, consuls-general, consuls, humanitarian aid coordinators and a range of middle and senior level public servants from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and AusAID.
The letter was coordinated by the Australian Conservation Foundation, and has also been distributed to the Labor leader Anthony Albanese and members of the shadow cabinet.
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