LOCAL COUNCIL CLOUTS CPRS

Thursday, 20 August 2009 01:10

“This bold step shows that Marrickville Council is spearheading the call by councils to ensure that all voluntary action counts,” said Jane Castle, senior campaigner at TEC. “Local governments are reducing emissions beyond the Federal Government’s weak targets, but unless these reductions are counted under the new law, they will simply subsidise the obligations of the big polluters.”

Voluntary actions account for reductions of around 6 million tonnes of carbon every year but under current Federal Government policies, the present scheme merely allows big emitters to pollute more, while Australia’s cap stays the same.

In 2007/08 Australian councils reduced 4.7 million tonnes of emissions, equivalent to taking one million cars off the road for a year. Marrickville Council has set a target of reducing emissions in the Marrickville LGA by 20% below 1996 levels by 2010. The Council saved over 18,000 tonnes of CO2 in 2006/07, with even more expected for the following year.

“We call on all Australian councils to vigorously pressure the Federal Government to fixe this problem,” said Castle. “Councils are on the frontline, with direct relationships with the public. It is vital that their voices are heard and that they encourage Australians to take action – both at the home and by holding their Federal representatives to account.”