The Climate Change Authority has announced that it is reviewing Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals as part of a special review requested by Federal Environment Minister Greg Hunt.
The Authority will build on its Targets and Progress Review, and will publish draft recommendations on Australia’s targets for consultation in April 2015, ahead of its 30 June 2015 deadline. (The terms of reference for the review require a draft report on targets to be published for consultation before the end of June 2015). Comment is sought on the first stage of the review of Australia’s emissions reduction goals.
While undertaking this review, which is expected to conclude in June 2016, the Authority has stated that they will also assess whether or not Australia should have an emissions trading scheme (a draft report is required on this question by November 2015) and the actions Australia should take following the international climate negotiations in Paris in December 2015. In doing so, the Authority will consider the policies of other key countries and Australian businesses’ international competitiveness. The Authority will issue a separate issues paper on these issues and will consult with the public on these matters.
In its Targets and Progress Review, the Authority considered Australia’s existing 2020 target range and after wide consultation, made recommendations on Australia’s emissions reduction goals. The Authority concluded that the pre-conditions for Australia moving some way beyond its unconditional 5% emissions reduction target for 2020 were met. The Authority recommended a minimum 2020 target of 15% below 2000 levels, together with another 4% from Australia’s carryover under the Kyoto Protocol. The Authority also recommended a target range of 40-60% reductions by 2030.
The Authority will consider 3 key areas when reviewing Australia’s future emissions reduction goals:
- what climate science tell us about the size of the global emissions reduction task, and the likely impacts and costs of climate change in Australia
- what other countries are doing to reduce their emissions, and Australia’s fair contribution to the global response
- economic factors affecting the costs and benefits of reducing greenhouse gas emissions, taking into account the costs and opportunities of emissions reduction over time, implications for the competitiveness of Australian industries, and the implications of delaying action.
The Authority will again consider the submissions that were made to its Targets and Progress Review about Australia’s emissions reduction goals. Interested parties are invited to send any new or additional comments to submissions@climatechangeauthority.gov.au
by close of business on 11 March 2015.
