[Greens-Media] California's warning for Australia

[Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)]

Monday, 16 April 2007

California's warning for Australia: We need real action, not political
games

After attending a high-level briefing in Melbourne by Californian
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger's special adviser, Terry Pamminen,
Australian Greens Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne,
called on Australian Governments to follow California's example.

"Mr Pamminen today warned against moves that might appear like action on
climate change, but which might chill progress later," Senator Milne
said.

"The Australian community needs to take close note of this as it is a
very pertinent warning as Australia begins to develop an emissions
trading system. Unfortunately for us, we currently have no Governments
with the strength of Mr Schwarzenegger and his advisers, and all our
Governments are currently heading down the path that Mr Pamminen warns
us of."

Mr Pamminen detailed the policy structure that California has in place
to achieve cuts in greenhouse emissions to 80% below 1990 levels by
2050, the target set by the Australian Greens but opposed by both the
Liberal and Labor parties.
*	California has a Renewable Energy Portfolio Standard requiring
energy utilities to purchase at least 20% of the energy they distribute
from renewable sources by 2010 and 33% by 2020. This compares to
Australia's target of effectively under 10% by 2010 and shrinking beyond
that date.
*	The Portfolio Standard is backed up by a range of incentives
such as the 'Million Solar Roofs' program, which grants rebates to
purchasers of solar panels.
*	California's utilities are prohibited from signing long-term
contracts for coal power unless the coal is as clean as gas and
sequesters carbon. That is an effective moratorium on new coal power
until significant technological breakthroughs are achieved, and is the
same as the Greens policy.
*	The US States are working towards a broad emissions trading
scheme which will auction all of its emissions permits, not distributing
them free of charge to major polluters.

Senator Milne said "California is setting the standard for tackling
climate change: they have a strong target, which is in line with what
scientists say is necessary, and they have introduced comprehensive
policies to meet that target. These policies are leading to a further
economic boom in California, making a lie of Mr Howard's anti-action
rhetoric.

"Meanwhile, Australia's Governments are listening to the Business
Council of Australia, who are demanding a lax approach to emission
targets and the allocation of permits. The old parties are working up
election policies to attract votes, while doing nothing that might
challenge their big business mates to change their polluting ways."

Contact: Tim Hollo 03 6224 8899 or 0437 587 562

Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Phone: + 61 3 6224 8899 (Hobart)
Phone: + 61 2 6277 3063 (Canberra)
Mobile: + 61 437 587 562
Email: tim.hollo at aph.gov.au
Skype: timhollo
Website: www.christinemilne.org.au