The United States and environmental lobby group WWF have expressed deepening concern about the out of step nature of Australia to its major trading partners on the issue of climate change.
A former adviser to US President Barack Obama has warned ahead of a meeting between the Australian and US leaders, that only climate deniers are unconcerned about Australia’s lack of action on climate change.
At the same time, a new report from Vivid Economics, released today by WWF-Australia says Australia is lagging behind six key trading partners when it comes to action on climate change.
Fairfax Media reports that Heather Zichal, the White House’s chief climate adviser until last November, said Australia risked being sidelined in its relationship with the US if it did not fall into step on climate change.
”I think everyone except the climate deniers is deeply concerned with the direction [Australia] is going,” Ms Zichal said.
“The implication from US policy for Australia is that we have stepped up to the table with solid solutions to this global challenge. Is Australia going to join President Obama in making progress or stand on the sidelines?”
The concern over Australia’s stance came as the leaders of the Group of Seven major economies expressed their ”strong determination” to adopt a global climate treaty that was ”ambitious, inclusive and reflects changing global circumstances” at a summit in Paris next year.
It also coincided with China, the world’s biggest emitter, confirming its intentions to limit emissions for the first time.
”We will try our utmost to peak as early as possible,” Xie Zhenhua, China’s chief climate envoy, told Bloomberg newsagency.
The WWF report released before the meeting between Mr Obama and Australia’s conservative Liberal-National Prime Minister Tony Abbott next Friday found Australia’s commitment to address climate change had slipped behind other countries, including China and Indonesia.
Mr Abbott’s Liberal-National government is attempting to repeal Australia’s carbon price scheme and replace it with a capped fund to pay some businesses to curb emissions.
He is also scrapping the $13 billion low-carbon energy funding agencies, and has commissioned businessman and climate sceptic Dick Warburton to head a review of the country’s 2020 Renewable Energy Target (RET).
Resisting strong pressure from the US and the European Union Mr Abbott this week indicated climate change was unlikely to be on the agenda for the G20 meeting he will host in the Queensland capital, Brisbane, in November.
The WWF report indicates that while the US, China, Indonesia, EU and Singapore are on track to meet their international carbon pollution targets, the report shows that Australia is far off track.
It also shows other countries are improving their energy and carbon efficiency faster than Australia.
WWF-Australia’s Climate Change National Manager Kellie Caught said it was clear that Australia’s trading partners were acting on climate change and taking their commitments to cut carbon pollution seriously.
“This report busts the myth that Australia is leading on climate action,” Ms Caught said.
“Australia is lagging behind.
“This report sends a clear signal that we need to do more to be a team player on the global stage.
“Australia’s trading partners are shifting to low carbon economies, and if we don’t take stronger action we could risk our international reputation and economic competitiveness.
“To up our game, Australia should commit to cut carbon pollution by at least 25 per cent in 2020, instead of the current low five per cent cut.
“To achieve 25 per cent cuts, parliament should negotiate to put a price and limit on pollution, such as cap and trade program used in Europe, China and California.
“With world leaders in Australia for the G20 in November, the Government should be prepared to show the world that Australia is willing to step up to the plate and raise its ambition to tackle global warming,”
Key findings from the report:
• Historic performance:
– Four of the six comparators, EU, US, Indonesia and China, reduced the energy intensity of their economy more than Australia over the period 2005-2011.
– For carbon intensity, three of the six countries, China, the EU and Singapore, achieved greater reductions in carbon intensity than Australia over the same time period.
– One specific measure of energy intensity is provided by the energy efficiency of light duty vehicles; on this metric Australia is one of the worst performers in the world.
– Australia has added less renewable energy capacity than four of five comparator countries over 2005-2011.
• Future emissions trends:
– Australia’s five per cent 2020 emissions reduction target is weaker than many comparator countries’ targets, particularly the US and Indonesia.
– Various studies have shown that expected legislative changes, particularly to the carbon trading framework, would lead to Australia falling far short of achieving this goal.
– By contrast, five out of six comparator countries are on track to achieving their emission reduction targets.
• Current and future policies:
– In contrast to Australia’s plans to repeal clean energy legislation, comparator countries have recently increased both their commitment and actions to tackle climate change.
– Recent policy developments in comparator countries point to their commitment to achieving emissions targets and promoting economic growth through green investments.
– The report summarises the key policy measures implemented over the past 12 months in comparator countries, as well as some expected developments.
The full report can be found here.
