SA seeks Paris climate talks detail
The South Australian Government has asked the Federal Government to provide it with details of international negotiations ahead of the UN climate change summit in Paris later this year.
SA Minister for Climate Change Ian Hunter has written to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, asking for the latest on negotiations regarding Australia’s emissions reduction target beyond 2020.
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Australia has an emissions reduction target of five percent on 2000 levels by 2020, but the Federal Government has not revealed emissions reduction targets beyond that year.
Hunter said the State Government wanted to support the feds in their negotiations.
He said he had written to Bishop “seeking that she inform state and territory governments on negotiations to date on Australia’s post-2020 emissions reduction target”.
Hunter said South Australia could boast “audacious” targets for emissions reduction and renewable energy generation.
“South Australia is committed to firm action on climate change with legislated targets to reduce state-wide CO2 emissions by 60 percent on 1990 levels by 2050.
“We have also committed to making the City of Adelaide the world’s first carbon neutral city, and are working in partnership with the Adelaide City Council to deliver this …”
The State Government also has a target of 50 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2025. On average, 39 per cent of the state’s electricity is generated from renewable sources.
Hunter is in Melbourne this morning, attending a conference on climate change, economic growth and employment to be addressed by former US Vice President and climate change activist Al Gore.
“Today’s Climate Change Conference, hosted by the Victorian Government, follows a meeting we held in May, where state and territory governments agreed to work together on renewable energy, energy efficiency schemes and actions to tackle climate change,” said Hunter.
“This work is important as we prepare for the critical United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Conference in Paris in November.
“I’m looking forward to leading the charge for stronger action at today’s conference, in collaboration with other states and territories.”
The Climate Council released a report earlier this month arguing that Australia should commit to an emissions reduction target of 40 to 60 per cent by 2030 in order to keep pace with major trading partners.
It said the United States had an emissions reduction target of 26 to 28 per cent below its 2005 level by 2025, the European Union had a target of 40 per cent by 2030 relative to 1990 levels and China had an emissions reduction target of 60 to 65 per cent per unit of GDP from 2005 levels.
Last week, Federal Opposition Leader Bill Shorten announced the Labor Party would support an emissions trading scheme and a target of 50 per cent renewable electricity generation by 2030.
The Federal Government is due to announce a post-2020 target “by mid-2015”. An issues paper released in March by the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet says that “a new target will build on current efforts and policy, including direct action through the $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund”.
UPDATE: A day after publication of this story, a spokesperson for Bishop’s office told InDaily the minister intended to share information regarding climate negotiations with state and territory governments.
“We welcome the opportunity to continue to engage with Sate Environment Ministers on Australia’s participation in the climate change negotiations,” the spokesperson said.
“The Government recognises the vital role Australian States and Territories play in the solution to climate change.
“Australia’s Ambassador for the Environment and Australia’s lead climate change negotiator, Mr Peter Woolcott, will participate in the next meeting in November.”
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