Despite an every growing number of calls to do so the Foreign Minister in Australia’s conservative Liberal-National government says climate change will not be a priority when the G20 meets in Australia later this year.
Julie Bishop told a conference in the Victoria state capital, Melbourne, today her government would not be making climate change a priority at the G20 summit in Brisbane.
Ms Bishop made the remarks during the C20 summit, a gathering of civil society groups debating policy suggestions on governance, employment, infrastructure and climate change that will be put forward to the G20 agenda.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott has downplayed the likelihood of climate change being discussed at the G20, despite pressure from the United States President Barack Obama and European Union countries.
Today there was also pressure from those at the C20 conference with WWF Australia CEO Dermot O’Gorman saying the November summit was the appropriate forum to address the crucial issue.
“If left unchecked, climate change could cost trillions of dollars to our economy, and perhaps shave around two per cent off growth,” Mr O’Gorman said.
“On climate change international meetings such as the G20 cannot and should not try to cover all subjects and illuminate none,” Ms Bishop said in Melbourne.
“We must prioritise issues where there is consensus within the G20 on taking action.
“All G20 members agree that the United Nations framework convention on climate change is the right forum with the right mandate for international climate change negotiations.”
The head of World Vision Australia, Reverend Tim Costello, however, said the G20 must address issues concerning climate change.
“The G20 doesn’t always want to hear our message which says end government support for fossil fuels, invest in renewable energy efficiency because sometimes that seems to be a stumbling block to growth,” Reverend Costello said during the C20 summit in Melbourne.
“We’re certainly going to be pushing that, pushing how the finance ministers must have a climate road map.”
Brisbane is preparing to host the G20 in November, with world leaders descending on the north Australian city to look at ways to strengthen the global economy.
Reverend Costello, who is chairing the C20 summit, said there was real concern the Pacific will be left behind as leaders of the bigger economies determine global economic policy.
He said it was important the issues of the Pacific countries, which are not involved in the G20, were put forward and that included climate change.
“We are really emphasising transparency about infrastructure investment – respecting community rights, participation of communities, women, even children, in the process of how you make infrastructure decisions.”
