In response to announcement that Australia will join 100 countries in committing to a tripling of renewable energy capacity by 2030, the following comments can be attributed to Greenpeace Australia Pacific’s Head of Pacific, Shiva Gounden:
© Roengchai Kongmuang / Greenp
“Greenpeace welcomes the announcement that Australia will join over 100 countries at COP28 in support of a global push to triple renewable energy generation capacity by 2030 – a critical step if we have any chance of limiting temperature rises within 1.5 degrees.
“This follows on from last week’s important commitment by the Albanese government to fast-track the federally supported expansion of domestic renewable energy capacity to 32GW.
“With abundant sunshine and wind, Australia is in prime position to reap the economic benefits of the green energy transformation – creating jobs, providing cheaper and cleaner energy to all Australians, and driving down our emissions. But without concurrent action to phase out coal and gas, this commitment is just dealing with one side of the equation.
“The Australian government continues to drag its heels on fossil fuels. New data compiled by Greenpeace shows that if all the coal and gas projects currently undergoing federal approvals went ahead they would release a 22 billion tonne emissions bomb, severely undermining global efforts to limit warming to 1.5 degrees.
“The science is crystal clear that to keep 1.5 degrees alive, we must keep fossil fuels in the ground. For Pacific communities dealing with the compounding impacts of the climate crisis, a commitment to stop new fossil fuels is a statement of support for Pacific survival.
“I urge Minister Bowen to come to Dubai next week with an ambitious plan for ending coal and gas – this would send a strong signal that Australia is listening to our Pacific family and is serious about its climate responsibilities.”
