[Greens-Media] NSW Greenhouse abatement scheme in tatters - time to start again

[John Kaye]

NSW Greenhouse abatement scheme in tatters - time to start again 
 
Media Release: 5 June 2007 
 
The University of NSW report on this state’s Greenhouse Gas Abatement
Scheme (GGAS) makes a mockery of the Iemma government’s claim that they
are reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity industry,
according to Greens NSW MP John Kaye.
 
Dr Kaye said: “The report outlines a litany of failings in the Iemma
government’s much-touted greenhouse gas abatement scheme.
 
“The reality of all emission trading schemes is that the devil is in
the detail.
 
“The Iemma government has failed to ensure that trading in NSW
certificates corresponds to reductions in electricity industry
greenhouse gas emissions.
 
“The report found that the design of the scheme is faulty. The
governance of the scheme is compromised by conflicts of interest. And
the lack of publicly-available data has created a veil of secrecy. 
 
“The scheme was introduced with the good intention of reducing
emissions. Because of ham-fisted scheme design and implementation, it
has ended up rewarding behaviour that has little or nothing to do with
reducing total electricity industry emissions.
 
“They might have gotten way with this in the days when there was little
public interest in global warming.  
 
“But the demand for action on climate change will put massive pressure
on the government to reform the scheme. 
 
 “NSW Energy Minister Ian Macdonald needs to fess up about the failings
of this scheme and start the process of reforming it. It has to put a
realistic price on carbon emissions and produce genuine reductions in
emissions. 
 
“The lesson of the NSW GGAS is that emissions trading schemes are
easily manipulated to suit the needs of the large polluters. Carbon
taxes are simpler, easier to implement and less vulnerable to political
pressure from the bid end of town .  
 
“These are lessons that are very relevant to the Prime Minister’s
carbon trading scheme,” Dr Kaye said. 
 
For more information:       John Kaye 0407 195 455
 
 
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John Kaye
Greens member of the NSW Parliament
phone: (02) 9230 2668
fax: (02) 9230 2586
mobile: 0407 195 455
email: John.Kaye at parliament.nsw.gov.au
 
mail: Parliament House, Macquarie St, Sydney NSW 2000