ALP’S NET ZERO ANNOUNCEMENT WELCOMED
The Climate Council welcomes news that the Labor party will set a target for net zero emissions by 2050 if it wins the next Federal election, but says the ALP will need to go further to deal with accelerating climate change.
“Anthony Albanese’s announcement today is a step in the right direction. It is consistent with what countries like New Zealand and the UK are doing,” said Climate Councillor Professor Will Steffen.
“I am also pleased that Labor will commit to real emissions reductions, rather than using dodgy accounting tricks. I call on the Morrison government to make the same commitment,” said Professor Steffen.
“A decade of climate wars means we have lost precious time. Labor will need to ramp up its ambition to reach net zero emissions by 2040 or 2045 like the ACT Government has done,” he said.
“Both major parties must also phase out fossil fuels. To keep Australians safe, there can be no new coal, oil or gas projects,” said Professor Steffen.
“The burning of fossil fuels was a key factor in the severity of this summer’s devastating bushfires. Australians are suffering because of climate change and the bad news keeps coming. Scientists are now investigating a possible bleaching event on the Great Barrier Reef,” he said.
“The Federal Government must adopt a credible climate policy so that we can urgently reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and transition to a renewable economy,” he said.
