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Emissions reduction target: Julie Bishop disputes Climate Change Authority’s figures
Emissions reduction target: Julie Bishop disputes Climate Change Authority’s figures
Foreign Minister Julie Bishop has responded to the Climate Change Authority’s criticism of the Government’s emission reduction targets, saying its estimates are incorrect.
On Tuesday, the Federal Government announced plans to cut emissions by 26-28 per cent by 2030 based on emissions from the year 2005.
The Climate Change Authority said with the “right” policies it believed more ambitious targets than those adopted by the Government could be achieved at modest costs.
Authority chair Bernie Fraser said in a statement the body had recommended reductions of 45-63 per cent by 2030.
“Along with other countries, Australia has agreed to work towards reducing emissions to levels consistent with limiting global warming to less than 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels — this remains a challenging task,” he said in a statement.
“Measured against the reductions in emissions required to deliver a reasonable chance of limiting global warming to 2 degrees, all countries have a lot more work to do over the decades ahead.”
But Ms Bishop said figures released by the Authority were disputed by the Federal Government.
“Mr Bernie Fraser … [stated] China’s emissions would increase by 72 to 96 per cent above 2005 levels by 2030. The Australian Government disputes these figures,” she said in a statement.
“China’s 2030 target will allow emissions to increase by around 150 per cent from 2005 levels when calculated on China’s national currency.”
She said Australia’s 2030 target was strong, responsible and achievable.
“We have a proven track record of meeting our climate targets. We met our first Kyoto target and are on track to meet our 2020 target.”
Addressing the South Australian Liberal Party annual meeting, Prime Minister Tony Abbott said the emissions target was leading the pack economically and environmentally.
“When it comes to emissions per capita, our target, a target that we are absolutely confident that we can and will meet, is the best in the world,” he said.
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Clean Energy Finance Corporation: Tony Abbott defends decision to axe wind, solar from renewables spending
Clean Energy Finance Corporation: Tony Abbott defends decision to axe wind, solar from renewables spending
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says it is “no secret” he wants the $10 billion Clean Energy Finance Corporation (CEFC) abolished, but while it is still in place it should be as useful as possible.
The Opposition and the Greens have accused the Government of trying to get rid of the taxpayer-funded authority by stealth, by issuing a new directive to stop the CEFC from investing in wind farms and household rooftop solar projects.
“The Parliament set up this corporation with a very expert board and very expert staff to make these decisions free of political interference,” Opposition environment spokesman Mark Butler said.
“What we see now is Tony Abbott trying to nobble this corporation for his own ideological purposes.”
But Mr Abbott says it is not useful for the CEFC to invest in established technologies that can easily attract private funding.
“The best thing that the Clean Energy Finance Corporation can do is invest in new and emerging technologies, the things that might not otherwise get finance,” he said.
“That’s why we’ve got this draft direction there.”
The Government has twice tried and failed to win parliamentary support to shut down the statutory authority, and Mr Abbott has previously described the wind turbines as “visually awful”.
The directive on wind and solar stems from the deal the Government struck with crossbench senators earlier this year to reduce the Renewable Energy Target.
Part of that agreement said the Government would write to the CEFC to ensure “significantly” increased uptake of large-scale solar, emerging renewable technologies and energy efficiency.
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