Environment Groups Ramp Up Emissions Trading Campaign

Tuesday, 01 July 2008 19:32

“We have one chance to get this right.  The need to move urgently and make the Australian economy low carbon ready, means the government and opposition should ignore industry pleas for delay; and resist weakening of the scheme for short term political gain”, said Jeff Angel, Executive Director of the Total Environment Centre.

“Environment groups have been to the consultation forums and met with Ministerial advisers in the last six months – now is the time to explain to the public what we want from an emissions trading scheme, the large economic and environmental benefits; and mobilise community support,” he said.

“Climate Action Network Australia's more than 50 member organisations, want to get the design of our emissions trading scheme right from the beginning.  A scheme that lets big polluters off the hook will transfer the cost of action, and the cost of climate change, to the rest of society. This website will give our 50+ member organisations and other local climate groups information upon which to base community action”, said Nina Hall of the Climate Action Network Australia.

“With the release of the Garnaut report this Friday and the government’s Green Paper in mid-July we have to be ready to engage at a broad community level.”

"The emission trading scheme must be open and predictable for investors. Polluters shouldn't be allowed to keep polluting by purchasing forest offsets," said Greenpeace Forest and Climate Campaigner Paul Winn. "It is better that part of the proceeds from auctioning emission permits are used to generate funds for forest sinks both domestically and internationally.”

Website: www.lowcarbonfuture.org.au