[Greens-Media] Qld greens media release: Greens Hail States Carbon Trading Scheme

[Ian Gittus]

*Qld Greens:  Media Release
Wednesday 16^th August 2006*


*Greens Hail States Carbon Trading Scheme*
The Greens today congratulated the Beattie government on being part of a 
proposal to introduce a national carbon trading scheme based on the 
states, but urged that their involvement should not depend on progress 
in the development of clean coal and carbon capture.
Queensland agreed to the release of a discussion paper that sets up a 
national framework to cut emissions by 60 per cent by the middle of the 
century. The Howard government has refused to support such a scheme.
Carbon trading would cap emission levels but issue permits that allow 
emissions generators to pump a certain amount into the atmosphere. If 
they go over that limit, they have to purchase other credits.
Greens election spokesperson Juanita Wheeler said she was pleased the 
Beattie government had reversed its previous opposition to the scheme 
and said there were many low-cost options for carbon emissions 
reductions the state could employ in order to benefit from such a scheme.
"Carbon trading provides the most practical opportunity for Australia to 
reduce carbon emissions and it doesn't really matter if the Federal 
Government is not involved," Ms Wheeler said.
"Several states in the USA are going ahead with such a scheme without 
their Federal Government and that is successful."
Ms Wheeler said the key to a successful trading scheme was to have a cap 
on emissions that allows for realistic steps to reduce emissions of 
carbon dioxide and would be especially aimed at the big electricity 
generators that produced 35 per cent.
It is expected that a carbon-trading scheme would raise the cost of 
electricity only slightly.


*-ENDS-*


For further information please contact:


Juanita Wheeler

Candidate for Mount Coot-tha

Spokesperson, Queensland Greens

0402 487 110

-- 
Ian Gittus
Election Campaign coordinator
Branch and member networker
Queensland Greens

Direct (07) 3846 0862
Office (07) 3844 4667
Fax; (07) 3844 4654			

PO Box 5763 
West End Qld  4101

www.qld.greens.org.au
To join the Queensland Greens:
www.qld.greens.org.au/public_downloads/membership.pdf

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