Joint Open Letter by 65 Climate Action Groups
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Joint Open Letter by 65 Climate Action Groups
2
March 2009
Senator
the Hon Penny Wong
Minister for Climate Change and Water
Senator
for South Australia
Department of Climate Change
GPO Box
854, Canberra ACT 2601
Dear Minister
We note commentary in last week’s press over the policy demands of
“conservation groups” as being “economically destructive and
environmentally irresponsible because they would drive jobs and
pollution offshore”1
In this context, 65 Climate Action Groups from across the ACT, New
South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria and Western
Australia would like to take this opportunity to clarify our
position on these important issues.
Overview
Over the past few weeks, we have witnessed the most devastating
bushfires in Australia’s history. The loss of life, animals and
property have left us deeply shocked and in a state of mourning. In
addition, many other people have lost their lives this summer due to
heat stress in South Australia, Victoria and Northern Tasmania. We
have also seen extensive flooding in Queensland and
central NSW as well as the ongoing collapse of our nation's foodbowl
in the Murray-Darling basin.
For the Climate Action Groups signing this letter, these tragedies
have strengthened our resolve to do everything we possibly can to
reduce our emissions in Australia and facilitate a global climate
agreement that includes urgent, deep cuts in emissions (in line with
the best available science).
The protection of the ecological and climatic systems that support
life on earth is essential. We believe that every emissions
reduction tool and Government expenditure package being considered
in Australia should be underpinned by the need to return our planet
to a safe climate zone.
Climate Action Groups are extremely disappointed with the
Government’s target band of 5-15% below 2000 levels and note that
these targets are
completely out of step with both current climate science and targets
in other
developed countries (such
as the EU and UK).
Climate Action
Groups note that if the deeply flawed CPRS becomes
legislation in June 2009 as planned, this will lock in our
low target range of
5-15% until
2020 (as the cap cannot be changed before 2020 without paying
substantial compensation to industries covered by the Scheme). By
locking in a low target now, Australia will effectively undermine
the Copenhagen UN Climate process in December, betraying not only
the Australian people in its duty of care, but also people and
nations across the globe.
In
light of the substantial flaws in the CPRS (which includes the end
of meaningful individual action on climate change), over 150 Climate
Action Groups from across Australia have decided to oppose the
current CPRS and prevent it from becoming law before the Copenhagen
talks2.
When
it comes to the economy and jobs, Climate Action Groups believe that
swift, strategic action to dramatically reduce emissions will not
only help mitigate dangerous climate change, it will also create an
investment pathway for the development of an emissions-free economy
in Australia. Treasury
modeling indicates that the aggregate economic impacts of deep
emissions cuts are fairly low, with GDP growth expected to slow by a
mere 0.2% per year if emissions were reduced by 25% by 2020
3.
All available economic modeling (including by Garnaut and Stern)
demonstrate that the costs of
inaction (or ineffectual action) far outweigh the costs of action
(in both economic and environmental terms).
As we
move towards a zero-emissions economy, the labour intensity of our
economy is expected to increase, with studies suggesting that an
additional 500,000 jobs could be created in Australia by 2030 in the
areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water
systems, biomaterials, green buildings and waste and recycling4.
In addition, these new industries are expected to derive substantial
export revenues for Australia.
In
terms of communicating the costs and benefits of action on climate
change, we urge the Government to start focusing on the immense
employment and export opportunities that the transition to an
emissions-free economy would present for all Australians.
Climate Action Groups believe that Australia is being presented with
a priceless opportunity to deal coherently with the dual threats of
climate change and the global economic meltdown. This invaluable
opportunity must not be missed.
1.
Emission Reductions Must Be Underpinned By Science, Not Politics
Climate Action Groups recognise that “if humanity wishes to preserve
a planet similar to that on which civilisation developed and to
which life on Earth has adapted” then “CO2
will
need to be reduced from its current 385ppm”5.
At this level, we are already observing:
•
Increased aridity in the southern United States, Mediterranean
region, Southern Australia and parts of
Africa.
•
Alpine glaciers in near-global retreat, posing substantial threats
for millions of people dependent on fresh water supplies originating in the Himalayas, Andes and Rocky
mountains.
•
Accelerated mass losses from Greenland and West Antarctica ice
sheets, heightening concerns about ice sheet stability and predictions of sea level increases by
at least several metres.
•
Increased intensity in Australian climatic conditions, with the
current combination of floods, fires and continuing drought placing enormous strain on the national purse -
and more importantly, the national psyche.
In
this context, over 150 Climate Action Groups from across Australia
recently adopted a position of working towards stabilising global
levels of CO2
at
300ppm, enabling the Arctic sea ice to refreeze and thereby
facilitating a return to a safe climate zone
6.
Australia’s current policy frameworks/agreements (including the
Government’s proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme) lock us
into CO2
stabilisation targets of 500ppm or more, which, according to the
world’s top scientists, would commit us to even more dangerous
climate change.
Climate scientists from around the world are making it clear that
strong, decisive action is required to dramatically reduce emissions
and facilitate a global agreement that aims to return our planet to
a safe climate zone within the next few decades.
Climate Action Groups believe that EVERY emissions reduction tool
and Government expenditure package currently being considered in
Australia should be underpinned by this global imperative of
stabilising CO2
at
300ppm.
Achievement of a 300ppm CO2
stabilisation scenario will require net global emissions to fall to
zero as quickly as possible. However, even if global emissions fell
to zero within the next five years, we would still be looking at CO2
levels of around 400ppm or higher. Therefore, global carbon
sequestration of this historical carbon debt will play a critical
role in our ability to transition back to a safe climate zone.
Climate Action Groups note that Australia has emitted around 7.6
gigatonnes of excess carbon between 1750 and 2001, which is quite
staggering when compared to India’s historical carbon debt of 15.5
gigatonnes over the same period. Climate Action Groups call on the
Government to take into account Australia’s historical carbon debt
when designing Australia’s emissions reduction plan
7.
2.
Australia’s 2020 Emissions Reduction Targets Fall Way Too Short
Climate Action Groups are extremely disappointed with the
Government’s emissions reduction target range of 5 - 15% below 2000
levels (or 4 - 14% below 1990 levels).8
Not
only are these targets completely out of step with current climate
science, they are also out of step with other developed countries,
such as the EU and UK which have already committed to reduce
emissions by 20-30% and 26-32% below 1990 levels respectively
9.
Climate Action Groups believe that the emissions reduction targets
to be negotiated this December in Copenhagen should reflect the best
available science and be underpinned by the need to return our
planet to a safe climate zone as quickly as possible. We urge you to
adopt this as Australia’s
negotiating position at Copenhagen.
We
note that if every country on this planet agrees at the upcoming
climate talks in Copenhagen to reduce emissions by Australia’s
target of 5-15% (below 2000 levels) by 2020, it is very likely that
we would lock our planet into a CO2
scenario of 550-650ppm.
In
this scenario we are most likely looking at a 2-plus degree C
temperature increase above current temperature initially
10,
which could result in abrupt and large climate changes and prove
disastrous for millions of people, species and habitats11.
We then have the added risk of the potential melting of
permafrost and resultant release of tens of billions of additional
tonnes of CO2
and
methane, which could lead to unliveable temperatures on this planet.
While
the 5-15% target may be what the Government thinks is realistic or
fair for the Australian economy, how can we possibly expect or ask
other countries to do more than we are willing to do ourselves.
By
locking in a low target now, Australia will effectively undermine
the Copenhagen UN Climate process, betraying not only the Australian
people in its duty of care, but also people and nations across the
globe. We would also miss a dramatic opportunity to provide new
employment and derive export revenue from smart, innovative
technologies (some of which were originally developed in Australia,
for example Ausra’s solar thermal technology and Suntech’s solar PV
technology).
We
are an affluent, developed country that believes in social justice,
equity and doing our fair share. We have never turned our back on
nations in need and we have always opened our hearts and homes to
the plight and suffering of others.
It is
not the Australian way to do as little as we possibly can at the
expense of the millions of people, species and habitats that will be
affected by climate change (including our own). This is not the
legacy we wish to leave for our children.
3.
Climate Action Groups Support Green Jobs in Australia
Climate Action Groups are deeply committed to facilitating the
development of green jobs and industries in Australia. In addition,
we believe that a comprehensive “Just Transitions” plan (including
financial assistance) is required for communities and industries
affected by the transition to an
emissions-free economy.
Modeling undertaken by the Federal Treasury in October 2008
indicated that a reduction in emissions would lead to “a shift
towards low-emission labour intensive sectors (such as services)12
”.
While
there will clearly be a structural shift away from
emissions-intensive employment (and hence the need for a “Just
Transitions” plan), the move towards higher labour intensity in the
Australian economy will mean that more green jobs will be locally
available.
A
joint report prepared by the Australian Conservation Foundation and
the Australian Council of Trade Unions found that appropriate policy
frameworks that facilitate growth and investment in 6 key green
industries (renewable energy, energy efficiency, sustainable water
systems, biomaterials, green buildings and waste and recycling)
would generate an additional 500,000 jobs in Australia by 2030 above
a business-as-usual scenario
13.
Apart
from the climate mitigation benefits, Climate Action Groups believe
that strong emissions reductions in Australia will result in
tremendous opportunities, in particular through the emergence of
thousands of green jobs across a wide range of sectors as well as
new avenues for export income as green
industries expand in coming years.
4.
Economy Wide Impacts of Strong Emissions Cuts
When
it comes to economy wide impacts, the Government has often stressed
that higher emissions reduction targets would be economically
irresponsible and potentially destructive. This position is
inconsistent with the modeling undertaken by the Federal Treasury.
For
example, Treasury estimates that a 25% reduction in emissions by
2020 (based on 2000 levels) would lead to:
• An
average annual GDP growth rate between 2010 and 2050 of 2.2%
compared to 2.4% (in the absence of emissions cuts)14.
• An
average annual per capita income growth rate of around 1.0% compared
to 1.2% (in the absence of emissions cuts)15.
•
Average annual growth in domestic consumption between 2010 and 2050
of 2.2% compared to 2.4% (in the absence of emissions cuts).16
The
Treasury figures indicate that the cost to the economy of reducing
emissions by 25% by 2020 is to reduce GDP by around 1.6% by 2020 (or
around 0.2% per year)17.
As Treasury notes “Australia’s aggregate economic costs of
mitigation are small18”.
While GDP is clearly being reduced under a 25% emissions reduction
scenario (which is well above the Government’s 5-15% target band),
we are certainly not looking at a destroyed economic system.
McKinsey & Company estimates that the cost of achieving a 30%
reduction in emissions (below 1990 levels) will be around A$290 per
household (per year) in 2020 (or around A$2.9 billion) and that a
60% emissions reduction by 2030 would cost A$590 (or A$7.0 billion)19.
The
McKinsey costs of achieving a 30% reduction in emissions are
substantially smaller than the current $42 billion stimulus package,
which was approved by the Government last month and is equivalent to
4% of GDP.
There
is no guarantee that this package will actually stimulate the
economy or create jobs and yet the Government did not hesitate to
approve this package at emergency speed.
Unfortunately, the same cannot be said for the Government’s response
to climate change. Any calls for reductions above the 5-15%
emissions reduction target band are labelled as economically
irresponsible and potentially destructive. And yet, Treasury’s own
figures indicate that a 25% cut in
emissions would lead to our economy slowing by a mere 1.6% of GDP by
2020 (or around 0.2% per year).
Climate Action Groups cannot help but feel that while the
Government’s climate change rhetoric is strong, their commitment to
meaningful action on climate change is not.
5.
A Call for New Scenario Modeling by Treasury
As
outlined in section 2, Climate Action Groups believe that emissions
reduction targets need to be based on science. Current climate
science suggests that emissions may need to be reduced by 60% or
higher by 2020 (based on 1990 levels).
Climate Action Groups note that Treasury has not published modeling
results for emissions reduction scenarios above a 25% reduction
(based on 2000 levels). We urge the Government to commission
modeling of these higher range scenarios (including a scenario of
zero emissions by 2020) so that
Government, industry, business and communities can have the best
possible data with which to make investment and consumption
decisions.
6.
The End of Individual Action Under the CPRS
In
light of the substantial flaws in the CPRS (which includes the end
of meaningful individual action on climate change), over 150 Climate
Action Groups from across Australia have decided to oppose the
current CPRS and prevent it from becoming law before the Copenhagen
talks20.
Climate Action Groups understand that while the CPRS will set a
‘cap’ on emissions, by issuing a fixed number of permits to pollute
equivalent to 5% below 2000 levels, it “will also impose a ‘floor’
below which emissions cannot fall21”.
As
noted by the NSW Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART),
“additional measures to reduce emissions in sectors covered by the
scheme would not result in an increase in emissions abatement … the
emissions avoided through undertaking an additional measure would
result in an
equivalent increase in emissions elsewhere.22”
As
total emissions are unable to fall below the 5% emissions reduction
target under the CPRS, green industries (including renewables),
State/Territory governments, local councils, businesses, communities
and households will be completely disempowered and prevented from
making a meaningful difference when it comes to climate change.
Climate Action Groups note your comments with Kerry O’Brien on the
7.30 report (23 Feb 2009) that “what we will be able to do as we set
our targets is … to recognise the fact that a range of measures can
contribute tothose targets … so it is the case that voluntary
measures can contribute to the
target that Australia achieves.”
Climate Action Groups note that once the CPRS becomes legislation
the cap cannot be reduced beyond the 5% target before 2020 without
paying substantial compensation to industries covered by the CPRS.
This means that no-matter how hard individuals work to reduce their
emissions, we can never go beyond the 5% target. That is:
• If
individual action achieves the 5% within two years then other
sectors of the economy covered by the
CPRS can continue emitting in a business-as-usual scenario for
another 8 years (until 2020).
• If
individual action exceeds the 5% target at any time during the
10-year period (between 2010-2020) then other sectors can increase their emissions to bring us
back down to the 5% target by 2020.
The
fact remains that any reductions individuals achieve in their
personal emissions will simply enable other industries covered by
the CPRS to increase their emissions by the same amount and at a
cheaper price.
This
emissions floor, combined with such a low emissions reduction
target, is simply untenable for Climate Action Groups (who are
dedicated to working within their communities on a voluntary basis
to raise awareness about climate change, energy efficiency and
renewable energy etc).
Climate Action Groups are not ‘politicising’ the process, we are
fighting for our right to make a meaningful difference on climate
change and to work towards a safe climate future for our planet.
This is the most important issue of our time – perhaps the most
important issue that humanity has ever faced. We cannot and should
not put all of our eggs into a flawed CPRS or a highly limited and
short-sighted emissions trading scheme.
7.
The Current CPRS Promotes Green Jobs Overseas
Climate Action Groups note with dismay that the Government has
stated that if the CPRS caps on emissions are not in alignment with
new international targets the “Government will make up the shortfall
in internationally agreed targets by purchasing eligible
international units”23.
Given
that our current emissions reduction target band of 5–15% is well
below that of the EU and UK and completely out of step with the
science, it seems fairly certain that our target band will fall
short of the international targets likely to be agreed to in
Copenhagen in December.
If
the CPRS becomes law in June 2009 as planned, then the Government
will use tax-payer money to purchase carbon offsets overseas to make
up the shortfall. This would drive investment in green jobs overseas
at the expense of green jobs in Australia.
Similarly, the CPRS is also likely to lead to the end of the
voluntary offset market in Australia since offsets cannot be
purchased in covered sectors (the only sectors not covered by the
CPRS are Forests, Waste and Agriculture).
Climate Action Groups note that the inclusion of forests in the CPRS
is voluntary and the quantification/longevity of offsets in waste
and agriculture are unlikely to be finalised before the start of the
Scheme next year.
This
means that Australian businesses wanting to purchase offsets for the
parts of their footprint they cannot reduce will have no choice but
to purchase offsets in emissions reduction projects overseas rather
than investing in emissions reduction projects in Australia. Once
again, this will drive
investment in jobs overseas rather than much needed investment in
green jobs in Australia.
8.
Sovereign Risk and Compensation under the CPRS
Another major area of concern for Climate Action Groups is that the
CPRS will lock in ‘property rights’ for emissions intensive
industries that are covered by the scheme.
As
part of this, the Government will need to compensate industries
covered by the CPRS if they decide to change Australia’s emissions
reduction target before 2020. For example, if the Government decided
to reduce emissions by another 5% by 2020 it would roughly result in
a compensation payment to industries covered by the CPRS of around
$684 million24.
As
noted in Section 2, our current 2020 emissions reduction target
range is completely out of step with current climate science and
targets in other developed nations. It therefore seems likely that
the international community will expect us to reduce our emissions
by more than our current target band.
If
the CPRS legislation is passed (as planned) by the end of June 2009,
there is a strong chance that in December 2009 the Government will
have little choice but to pay compensation payments to industries
covered by theScheme for changing the targets. Alternatively, the
Government can make up the shortfall (as stated in Section 7) by
purchasing international offsets. Either way, Climate Action Groups
do not believe this is an effective use of taxpayer money.
As
stated above, over 150 Climate Action Groups from across Australia
have decided to oppose the current CPRS and prevent it from becoming
law before the Copenhagen talks.
9.
The Need for A Senate Inquiry on the CPRS
Climate Action Groups were extremely disappointed to learn that the
House of Representatives Inquiry into emissions trading had been
cancelled.
Undoubtedly, climate change is the most important issue of our time.
If the Government is truly confident about the CPRS and its
emissions reduction targets then it should be able to stand the test
of transparency, accountability and rigorous analysis and debate.
Groups strongly support the call by the Greens and Coalition for a
Senate inquiry into the CPRS.
Conclusion
As
stated above, Climate Action Groups believe that Australia is being
presented with a priceless opportunity to deal coherently with the
dual threats of climate change and the global economic meltdown. We
do not wish to miss this invaluable opportunity.
We
thank you for taking the time to consider our views.
More about Climate Action Groups
Climate Action Groups are collectives of ordinary but impassioned
Australians who have come together in their local communities to act
on climate change. Climate Action Groups have experienced
extraordinary growth over the past few years, with over 200 groups
(representing thousands of people) currently operating in local
communities across Australia.
The
dedication and determination of these groups is testimony to a
deeply felt community concern about the threat of climate change and
increasing unease in the community about the direction of climate
policy in Australia.
Climate action groups generally have no political affiliations, and
often represent the people and sentiments of ‘middle Australia’ and
beyond.
In
early February 2009, the first ever Climate Action Summit was held
in Canberra, bringing together over 500 participants representing
around 150 Climate Action Groups. The summit was a tremendous
success and has lead to greater organisation, communication and
collaboration among groups.
Climate Action Groups are rapidly proving themselves to be a
powerful force in the public climate debate in Australia.
Signatories to this Letter:
65
Climate Action Groups from across Australia have signed this joint
letter.
They
have a combined membership of well over 6,500 people and are doing
phenomenal work in each of their communities / regions to raise
awareness on climate change and facilitate the transition to a safe
climate zone.
The
contact for this letter is Tracey Tipping (Climate Action Pittwater,
tracey@eternalsource.com.au, ph: 0411 861 269).
Climate Action Group signatories are listed below:
1.
Alstonville High School Sustainability Committee, NSW
2.
Ararat Greenhouse Action Group Inc, VIC
3.
Australian Forest and Climate Alliance, National
4.
Ballina Climate Action Network, NSW
5.
Bathurst Community Climate Action Network, NSW
6.
Bayside Climate Change Action Group (BCCAG), VIC
7.
Beenleigh Community for Cool Change, QLD
8.
Bendigo Sustainability Group, VIC
9.
Boroondara Sustainability Network, VIC
10.
Broadwater Community Dunecare, NSW
11.
Citizens Climate Campaign, NSW
12.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Bega, NSW
13.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Eurobodalla, NSW
14.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Cooma-Monaro, NSW
15.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Manly, NSW
16.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Mosman, NSW
17.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Palerang, NSW
18.
Clean Energy For Eternity - Snowy River, NSW
19.
Climate Action Coogee, NSW
20.
Climate Action Newcastle (CAN), NSW
21.
Climate Action Newtown, NSW
22.
Climate Action Pittwater, NSW
23.
Climate Action Now Wingecarribee (Canwin), NSW
24.
Climate Change Balmain-Rozelle, NSW
25.
Climate Emergency Network, VIC
26.
Climate Emergency Action Network (CLEAN), SA
27.
Coalition for a Safe Climate, WA
28.
Crisis Coalition, NSW
29.
Dandenong Ranges Renewable Energy Association Inc, VIC
30.
Darebin Climate Action Now, VIC
31.
EcoNetwork Port Stephens, NSW
32.
Emerald for Sustainability, VIC
33.
Epping Beecroft Climate Action Group, NSW
34.
Families Facing Climate change, VIC
35.
450ppm, NSW
36.
Greenleap Strategic Institute, VIC
37.
Gold Coast & Hinterland Environment Council (GECKO), QLD
38.
Katoomba Area Climate Action Now, NSW
39.
Kyogle Climate Action Network, NSW
40.
Lighter Footprints, VIC
41.
Lismore Climate Action Group, NSW
42.
Locals into Victoria’s Environment (LIVE), VIC
43.
Mount Alexander Sustainability Group, VIC
44.
National Toxics Network, NSW
45.
Otway Ranges Climate Action (ORCA), VIC
46.
Our Future is the Natural World, NSW
47.
Outdoor Lighting Reform Action Group, ACT
48.
ParraCAN, NSW
49.
People for a Safe Climate, NSW
50.
Plug-In Australia, NSW
51.
Quest 2025, QLD
52.
South-East Region Conservation Alliance (SERCA), NSW
53.
Surf Coast Energy Group, VIC
54.
Sustainable Environment Education Development Inc, VIC
55.
Sustainability in Stonnington, VIC
56.
Sutherland Climate Action Network, NSW
57.
Transition Towns Triangle Plus, NSW
58.
Upper Yarra & Dandenongs Environmental Council, VIC
59.
Woden SEE Change Inc, ACT
60.
Wodonga and Albury Towards Climate Health (WATCH), VIC
61.
Women's Environment Network Australia, National
62.
Victorian Climate Action Centre, VIC
63.
Yarra Climate Action Now!, VIC
64.
Yarra Valley Climate Action Group, VIC
65.
Zero Carbon Network
This Letter has also been Endorsed by:
1.
Conservation Council ACT Region (incl. 120 Member Groups)
2.
Conservation Council of South Australia (incl. 50 Member Groups)
3.
Conservation Council of Western Australia (incl. 95 Affiliate
Groups)
4.
Environment Tasmania Inc (incl. 26 Member Groups)
5.
Nature Conservation Council of NSW (incl. 120 Member Groups)
_____________________________________________________
1
SMH (23 Feb 09), “Get Real, Wong Tells Greens”.
2
Position adopted climate groups on 2 Feb 2009 in Canberra at
“Australia’s Climate Action
Summit”, with participation from 150 Climate Action Groups from
across Australia.
3
Ibid,
pg 149.
4
ACF
and ACTU (Oct 2008), “Green Gold Rush – How Ambitious Environmental
Policy Can
Make
Australia A Leader in the Global Race for Green Jobs,” Pg 3.
5
Hansen, J. et al, (Nov 08) “Target Atmospheric CO2: Where Should
Humanity Aim?”, pg 1.
6
Position adopted climate groups on 2 Feb 2009 in Canberra at
“Australia’s Climate Action
Summit”, with participation from 150 Climate Action Groups from
across Australia.
7
Time
magazine (2001). For an additional graphic of historic emissions -
Fig5, Raupach et al
(2007) Global and Regional Drivers of Accelerating CO2 emissions.
Proc. Natl Acad. Sci.
USA
104, 10 288–10 293. (doi:10.1073/pnas.0700609104)
8
Australian Government Fact Sheet (December 2008), “What the rest of
the world is doing on
climate change”, pg 2.
9
Ibid,
pg 2.
10
Note:
the best estimate of climate sensitivity is 3 degrees C, which is
the short-term
temperature rise for a doubling of CO2.
So 550ppm CO2
means
3 degrees C above preindustrial
temperatures or 2+ degrees C above current temperature.
11
A
“conservative estimate” of around 1million species would become
extinct under a
500ppm scenario. Hansen, J. (Dec 2008) “Tell Barack Obama the Truth
– the Whole Truth”,
pg 5.
12
Ibid,
pg 150.
13
ACF
and ACTU (Oct 2008), “Green Gold Rush – How Ambitious Environmental
Policy Can
Make
Australia A Leader in the Global Race for Green Jobs,” Pg 3.
14
Federal Treasury (30 Oct 2008), “Australia’s Low Pollution Future:
The Economics of
Climate Change”, pg 145.
15
Ibid,
pg 187.
16
Ibid,
pg 156.
17
Ibid,
pg 149.
18
Ibid,
pg 137.
19
McKinsey & Company (Feb 2008), “An Australian Cost Curve for
Greenhouse Gas
Reduction”, pg 17.
20
Position adopted climate groups on 2 Feb 2009 in Canberra at
“Australia’s Climate Action
Summit”, with participation from 150 Climate Action Groups from
across Australia.
21
Denniss, R. (Nov 2008) “Fixing the floor in the ETS – the Role of
Energy Efficiency in
Reducing Australia’s emissions”, Research Paper No. 59, pg 14-15.
22
IPART
(Dec 2008) “Review of NSW Climate Change Mitigation Measures” pg 28.
23
Department of Climate Change (December 2008), “National Carbon
Offset Standard
Discussion Paper”, pg 7.
24
Back
of the envelope calculation = 5% x 547 million tonnes CO2
(Australia’s total net
emissions in 1990) = 23.7 million tonnes x $25 (estimated carbon
price) = $684 million.
[Emissions source: Australian Government Fact Sheet (Dec 2008)
“Australia’s Greenhouse
Gas
Emissions”.]
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