[Greens-Media] Greens Leader Christine Milne responds to OECD report on emission reduction mechanisms

[Trevitt, Sophie (Sen C. Milne)]

Greens Leader Christine Milne responds to OECD report on emission reduction mechanisms

"The OECD report confirms what we already knew and what the Climate Change Authority confirmed in its draft report released last week - that the most effective, and the most affordable way to reduce our emissions is to impose a price a pollution like the one currently in place," Australian Greens Leader Christine Milne said.

"Australia is lagging behind our global counterparts who are implementing emission reduction schemes that are in keeping with what the scientists and economists recommend as the most effective way to tackle dangerous global warming.

"Prime Minister Tony Abbott wants Australians to believe that we are alone with our carbon price and acting alone on climate change. In fact, as the rest of the world surges ahead with carbon pricing Australia may indeed be left behind if Tony Abbott has his way and implements his so-called direct action plan.

"Just today reports have emerged of China preparing for historic reform this weekend where the government is likely to introduce a levy on carbon emissions in addition to its pilot emissions trading schemes as part of a raft of reforms to reduce reliance on coal-fired electricity.

"The OECD report is yet another endorsement to add to the voices of  leading scientists, economists and businesses that support a market based mechanism like emissions trading as the most effective and affordable way to reduce emission. None endorse Tony Abbott's so-called direct action plan."