15 December 2008
The Federal Government's five per cent emissions reduction target falls well short of what is required to prevent massive changes to life as we know it, Monash University climate change experts warn.
Director of the Monash Sustainability Institute Professor Dave Griggs said the Federal Government's White Paper, released today, lacked a true commitment to addressing future climate change impacts.
"More than 3000 international scientists from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change agree that we should set an emissions reduction target of between 25 per cent and 40 per cent from 1990 levels by 2020," Professor Griggs said.
"Even if we committed to this, there would still be a 77 per cent chance of a temperature rise above two degrees Celsius and an 18 per cent chance of a rise above three degrees.
"The Federal Government's five per cent reduction commitment, and possible15 per cent reduction if international agreement can be reached, will place Australia 's iconic environment at high risk of destruction and risk its population being subject to severe weather conditions: cyclones, droughts and floods, as well as sea level rises and wildfires.
Monash Sustainability Institute Chief Research Officer Dr Janet Stanley said the Federal Government had failed to seize on the opportunities that arise from a more aggressive greenhouse strategy.
"The opportunity has been lost to create significant investment and jobs in the renewable energy sectors," Dr Stanley said.
"US President-elect Senator Barrack Obama has already proposed a subsidy of $150 billion to promote renewable energy industries, a move which is forecast to create five million green-collar jobs across the country.
"The Australian Government has opted for a "business as usual" approach that continues to support heavy polluting industries."
Dr Stanley said the proposed five per cent emissions reduction would see the burden of responsibility to reduce greenhouse emissions fall to lower carbon emitting sectors such as business and light industry, government departments and local government, the community and households.
"As a consequence there will be a reduction in revenue, with less money to spend on energy efficiency schemes, research and development on low carbon energy generation, and infrastructure development such as in the area of water management and public transport," Dr Stanley said.
For interviews contact Professor Griggs on 0439 319 838 or Dr Stanley on 0418 407 248.
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