[Greens-Media] Senator Milne - Business sets sights too low on reduction targets

[O'Connor, Cassy (Sen C. Milne)]

Wednesday, 4 April 2007

Business sets sights too low on reduction targets

The Australian Greens welcome the Business Council of Australia's
endorsement of emissions' reduction targets, but warn that campaigning
for slack targets or holding out for free pollution permits for the big
emitters runs directly counter to the public interest.

"It is clear that the Prime Minister cannot hold out forever in refusing
to set greenhouse emission reduction targets.  Pressure from the BCA to
do so is welcome, particularly the acknowledgement that we need
immediate targets," Greens' climate change spokesperson, Senator
Christine Milne said today.

"I welcome the release of the Business Council of Australia's 'strategic
framework' for emissions' reduction, and the pressure it helps to build
for an effective 2020 target.

"I am concerned, however, that the Council is angling towards a system
that gives large polluters free permits and expects the community to pay
compensation when they are inevitably withdrawn.   This would be a rort.


"There can also be no excuse for adopting weak targets that will allow
polluters to continue to profit at the environment's expense.

"The tobacco industry was not compensated when people abandoned
cigarettes because of lung cancer.  So too large emitters must realise
they have profited handsomely from polluting the atmosphere and must now
accept the need to reduce emissions, as well as the 'polluter pays'
principle," Senator Milne said.



Media contact:   Cassy O'Connor 03 6224 8899  or  0437 587 562