[Greens-Media] MARK PARNELL MLC: Rann Bill to Increase Greenhouse Pollution

[Greens]

Media Release
10 June 2007

Rann Bill to Increase Greenhouse Pollution


The latest report from the International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)
says that if the world is to prevent dangerous climate change, global
emissions must peak and start to fall by 2015. Yet, a target put forward
last week by the Rann Government as part of the Climate Change Bill will
mean an increase, not a decrease in SA's emissions over the next 13
years, says Greens MLC Mark Parnell. 

"By voting against the strong but achievable 20% reduction by year 2020
target passed by the state's Upper House, Mike Rann has rejected the
advice of Tim Flannery, David Suzuki, Nicholas Stern and over 2,000 of
the world's leading climate change scientists. 

"Instead, the Premier has put forward a weaker target that will mean the
State's greenhouse pollution will continue to increase at exactly the
time the world's experts say we need to be making deep cuts in emissions
to avoid dangerous climate change. 

"That is simply not good enough. The Greens have no choice but to vote
against the Rann Government's alternative 'interim target'. 

"How in all good conscience could we support a target that thumbs it's
nose at the IPCC findings? 

"If every state justified its lack of greenhouse action using Mike
Rann's argument - 'please allow us 10 more years of mining and economic
expansion before we start to reduce our emissions' - then we are all in
deep trouble - as a rich and capable state we can and must do better,"
he said. 

According to the Australian Greenhouse Office's most up to date figures,
South Australia is already below its 1990 greenhouse emission levels.
Therefore, the Rann interim target for the year 2020 (ie return to 1990
levels) will mean an increase in the State's emissions from today. 

"If Mike Rann disagrees with the Australian Greenhouse Office, he should
come clean with his own state greenhouse pollution data. 

"The Greens will be supporting the overall Bill, but we cannot support
targets that run counter to our global responsibilities and the best
available scientific evidence," said Mark Parnell. 

The Climate Change and Greenhouse Emissions Reduction Bill is expected
to be debated further when Parliament resumes on 19th June. 


For more information contact Craig Wilkins on 0434 007 893



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