[Greens-Media] Greens to initiate Senate Inquiry into inadequacy of
5% target
Hollo, Tim (Sen C. Milne)
Tim.Hollo at aph.gov.au
Tue Dec 16 11:44:22 EST 2008
Greens to initiate Senate Inquiry into inadequacy of 5% target
Canberra, Tuesday 16 December 2008
The Australian Greens today released draft terms of reference for a
Senate Inquiry into the 5% emissions reduction target announced by Prime
Minister Rudd yesterday.
The Inquiry, to be moved in the first sitting week of the new year, will
examine the scientific adequacy of the 5% target in avoiding
catastrophic climate change of more than 2 degrees warming, and whether
the target does enough to play a fair and responsible part in global
climate action.
"The Rudd Government has chosen to make one of the most important
decisions it will ever make on the basis of lobbying by polluters
instead on the clear evidence," Australian Greens Deputy Leader and
Climate Change Spokesperson, Senator Christine Milne, said.
"It is vital that the Senate scrutinises this target on behalf of all
Australians, examining how it stands up on the key questions of
scientific adequacy and global fairness.
"Our hope it that this Inquiry will give scientists from across
Australia and around the world the opportunity to advise on how much
Australia will need to do to prevent catastrophic, runaway climate
change."
Terms of reference: To inquire into and make recommendations upon:
1. The adequacy or otherwise of the Government's greenhouse gas
emission reduction target of 5 per cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2050
below 2000 levels in avoiding dangerous anthropogenic interference with
the climate, defined as a global temperature rise of more than 2
degrees.
2. Whether or not, if the global community pursues a 550 ppm target
until 2020, there is any prospect of achieving a 450 ppm target - ie is
an "overshoot" emission trajectory realistic and what are the risks
involved?
3. Whether or not, if the global community pursues a 550 ppm
target, the Government's greenhouse emission reduction targets of 5 per
cent by 2020 and 60 per cent by 2050 below 2000 levels constitutes a
fair and proportionate contribution the global abatement task.
4. What emission targets would be consistent with a achieving a 350
ppm and a 400 ppm atmospheric concentration target, equitably shared
between (a) industrial and developing nations, and (b) between
industrialised nations?
5. The debate into global negotiations to date on per capita
emission targets and whether or not the Government's arguments on per
capita emissions are consistent with globally understood principles of
equity underpinning burden sharing arrangements.
Senator Milne said "The Greens believe that, for Australia to play a
fair and responsible role in the global climate effort, we will need to
be carbon neutral by 2050,* with at least 40% cuts below 1990 levels by
2020. This is both achievable and necessary."
*Countries committed to carbon neutrality include New Zealand, Iceland,
Costa Rica, Niue and Norway.
Tim Hollo
Media and Communications Adviser
Senator Christine Milne
Australian Greens Deputy Leader
ph: (02) 6277 3588
mob: 0437 587 562
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