Media Statements - STATEMENT BY AUSTRALIAN STATES AND TERRITORIES ON CLIMATE CHANGE

11/01/06

(Preceding the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate meeting).

We, the Australian States and Territories, are united in our commitment to meet the challenge of climate change and recognise the need to take concrete action as soon as possible.

The State and Territory leaders urge the Federal Government to develop emissions reduction targets and a market mechanism to achieve the reductions.

A failure to do so will deny the Australian economy the opportunity to access international opportunities for new investment and technology development and least-cost reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

We agree on the need for substantial reductions in greenhouse gas emissions to avoid dangerous threats to the climate.

To serve this goal, we call on the Prime Minister to develop a firm target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. Agreement on a firm target by all Australian States and Territories, as well as the Commonwealth, means we will have no choice but to work together. We have to agree on the technological framework to reduce Australia’s greenhouse emissions.

Emissions trading is an effective and efficient means of achieving economy-wide or global emissions reductions at least cost. The States and Territories will continue to work on creating a model for a national emissions trading scheme. Measures taken today to improve efficiency and reduce emissions help avoid more expensive measures taken later to address the challenge of climate change.

We call upon the Federal Government to show leadership when hosting the Governments of USA, China, India, Japan and South Korea, at the meeting of the Asia-Pacific Partnership on Clean Development and Climate on January 11 and 12. This should involve a commitment to abatement targets, a market mechanism to achieve them, and significant funding for reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in both the short and long term.

We call upon the Federal Government:

to develop, in agreement with States and Territories, binding targets for emissions reduction to set us on the path of achieving the cuts required to avoid dangerous threats to the climate.
to support these targets with funding and policy measures including:

Background

Work is under way by the National Emissions Trading Taskforce, on behalf of the Australian States and Territories, to design a model for a national emissions trading scheme capable of being implemented without Commonwealth leadership in consultation with business and the community.

Emissions trading can be designed in a way, which delivers environmental outcomes whilst ensuring that Australia’s economy continues to grow.

In response to the growing need for a national greenhouse framework, the States and Territories have begun trialling greenhouse reporting within the pre-existing National Pollutant Inventory.

Acting Premier's office: 9222 8788