Stern Report Highlights Howard’s Climate Shame

Wednesday, 01 November 2006 00:22

The Report calls for emissions trading and 80% cuts to greenhouse emissions to achieve stabilisation.  In contrast, the Government continues to block emissions trading while greenhouse emissions continue to spiral.

“The contrast between the Stern Report and John Howard’s failure to act is vast,” said Jane Castle, Total Environment Centre campaigner.  “The Government has been dangerously irresponsible and has got the economics terribly wrong.  By refusing to sign Kyoto or put a price on emissions, Howard is leading us into economic and environmental ruin.”

“Peter Costello and Ian McFarlane’s claims that we are on track to meet our target are dangerously misleading.  Federal Government's own modelling shows that Australia's emissions are set to rise 122% by 2020.  This is a very long way from the 80% cuts that the Stern Report is calling for.”

 “Australia needs to end its self-imposed exile and sign Kyoto.  We also need an ambitious renewable energy target, action on public transport, a mandatory national energy efficiency target and an emissions trading scheme with a target to reduce emissions by 80%.”

“Australia is like an iceberg drifting about in a warming sea of inadequate policies.”