Increase in gas emissions offset by renewables and drought – for now
Friday, 29 May 2020. Farmers for Climate Action says the Federal Government is failing farming communities by refusing to commit to real cuts to the nation’s emissions.
The latest Australian Greenhouse Gas Inventory found emissions fell 0.9 per cent in 2019.
Farmers for Climate Action CEO Wendy Cohen said: “The Federal Government is celebrating this slight dip in emissions without acknowledging that the shift is a result of a heart-breaking drought and a boom in renewables. This boom has now collapsed thanks to governmental policy inertia.
“To rub salt into the wound they’re also championing investment in gas—a fossil fuel that massively pollutes at every stage of its operation. Emissions from Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) are taking up an increasingly large proportion of our national emissions profile.”
Farmers for Climate Action Deputy Chair, and Crookwell farmer, Charlie Prell said: “Any improvement in emissions has occurred in spite of, not because of, the Federal Government, which continues to champion fossil fuels, most notably gas. Not only does gas produce emissions, it uses staggering amounts of water. As a farmer I’m deeply concerned.
“I’ve seen first hand the way that renewables can benefit regional communities. The wind turbines on my farm have provided me with much-needed regular income during these tough drought years.”
Mr Prell said that the economic recovery from COVID-19 presented an opportunity. “This crisis has shown us what decisive, bi-partisan action from our government looks like.
“We’re urging the government to step up and be a global leader by taking advantage of the wind and the sun to restart our energy transition. Many energy experts have demonstrated that this can be done without resorting to fossil fuels of any kind.”
Farmers for Climate Action is a movement of farmers, agricultural leaders and rural Australians working to ensure that farmers, who are on the frontlines of climate change, are a key part of its solution.
