The Labor government yesterday formalised Australia’s renewed climate goal with its Climate Change Bill 2022.
The Climate Council welcomed the Climate Change Bill 2022 as an important first step, but is urging the Parliament to stay focused on the urgent need for deeper emissions cuts this decade in line with the science and our international responsibilities.
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Climate Council CEO Amanda McKenzie said, “It is important that the government has said their targets are the floor not the ceiling and can be improved overtime. But the language in the Bill should make clear that there is no obstacle to governments going faster and further.
“This new legislation can act as a springboard for Australia to cut emissions and grasp the incredible opportunities that are within our reach as one of the sunniest and windiest places on the planet.
“The Bill is an important symbol of Australia’s climate shift, but action to reduce pollution is what matters now, after almost a decade of federal inaction and delay.
“The 2020s are make or break for keeping warming to survivable limits. Everything is at stake if we get this wrong.”
Leading renewables firm ACCIONA Energia also welcomed the Labor Government’s Climate Change Bill to enshrine the 43 per cent emissions reduction target in legislation.
“The May election delivered a mandate for a 43 per cent reduction in emissions. We should respect the election outcome or risk reigniting the climate wars,” ACCIONA Energia managing director Brett Wickham said.
“A legislated target provides investors with the long-term confidence needed to make decisions about future projects.
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“We welcome Minister Bowen’s view that a 43 per cent reduction in emissions can be a floor rather than a ceiling and encourage others to move beyond the target number and instead focus on the details that will get us there.
“The outcome of the election was clear and 43 per cent is what people voted for. Passing the target will give investors the certainty they need to invest and draw a line under the climate wars,” Wickham said.
