Climate Action Network Australia: Climate Change, Global Warming, Green Power NOT Coal Power, Greenhouse Action in Australia geosequestration CCS, carbon capture and storage, energy efficiency, demand management, no nuclear, unite for renewables
Accra, Ghana Climate Negotiation Meeting
CAN called for an "Olympic spirit" at Accra - swifter, higher, stronger! The negotiations since Bali (December 2008) have been too slow, and they need to move swifter, proposals for the post 2012 treaty have to be more ambitious and aim higher, proposals need to clear show they are aiming for very strong emission cuts - aiming to stay below 2oC. Watch the CAN Press Conference here
Some countries have made concrete proposals at Accra (and beforehand) here on how we deal with climate change - they include Norway, Switzerland, South Africa, Mexico and Papua New Guinea. These proposals will help us move forward on the negotiations, and ensure we can have a successful global deal at Copenhagen in December 2009. But Australia is dragging the chain, has yet to react to these proposals, and has not come up with innovative ideas and proposals of its own.
The CAN statements to the closing session of the negotiations are here and here and show that we need to move much faster towards a deal at Copenhagen.
CANA positions vacant
CANA is looking for a part time Conference & Events Coordinator. Contact annette@cana.net.au with your interest.
Presentations from CANA Workshop: Garnaut, the Green Paper and Climate Change
What happened in July 08, what does it mean, and what is the role of the public?
July 2008 brought significant developments on Australian climate policy. The Garnaut Review released its
600-page interim report and Minister Wong released her Green Paper on Emissions Trading. This flood of technical and policy information can be overwhelming for many organisations trying to keep abreast
of climate change and the actions that are necessary to prevent or minimise the impacts of dangerous climate
change. In early August, CANA and member organisations ran seminar-workshops in Sydney and Melbourne to provide a path through the events of July 2008 and clarifies the messages that matter,
the statements to watch for, and the role that advocacy, community and environmental organisations can play to
effectively contribute to the public and political climate debate. Short presentations were delivered, and these can be viewed below.
Nina Hall, Climate Action Network Australia: Overview and Resources on emissions trading
Cameron Eren, the Total Environment Centre: Emissions trading within the broader context of complementary and parallel climate
policy measures
Owen Pascoe, the Australian Conservation Foundation: Down in the detail: Emissions trading schemes and climate change
Mark Wakeham, Environment Victoria: The potential for emissions trading: Key tests of an adequate ETS
Damien Sullivan, Brotherhood of St Laurence: Protecting the people: Social sector concerns and emissions trading
Media release August 1: CANA member groups call for 40% emission cuts by 2020
Australia's greenhouse emissions need to peak by 2010 and drop by at least 40 percent below 1990 levels by 2020, says the peak non-government body on climate change, the Climate Action Network Australia. By 2050, the emissions should be 95% less than those emitted in 1990.
“This agreement across the diversity of our member groups reflects the urgency with which we need to cut our emissions,” said Climate Action Network Australia's Nina Hall. “Australia must contribute to keeping global warming as far below 2 degrees of warming as possible, and these targets will be an important contribution to the worldwide effort that is required.” , [click here for media release].
For the CANA position paper on emission reduction targets , click here.
Emissions trading for the everyperson: www.lowcarbonfuture.org.au
This joint website by CANA, the Total Environment Centre, Greenpeace and Environment Victoria was launched on July 1st to outline the emissions trading scheme that we need to see. This easy to use website answers your FAQs and lists the key aspects we should be looking for when Garnaut release his Review and Minister Wong releases her Green Paper.
Make Poverty History: Guide for Garnaut and the Government
Make Poverty History have released a report outlining why we should keep climate change below 2degrees (compared with pre industrial temperatures), what Australia's target should be, what our responsibilities as a wealthy developed country are in providing funding for adaptation and technology transfer to developing countries, and what assistance we should provide to 'Climate Change Refugees'. The full report is available here.
Australia's Energy Efficiency and Productivity Opportunities
Australia will squander opportunities to cut the cost of reducing emissions unless it tackles its poor performance in energy efficiency and productivity, according to an expert report released by the Climate Institute today.
G8+ and Major Economies Meeting, 7-9 July 08
The G8 Leaders Declaration and the Major Economies Meeting/Process Statement disappointed. They are a backward step from what has been agreed in the UN climate negotiations - a wasted opportunity, and a lot of wasted Ministerial time. Its crucial that the world's governments redirect their efforts into the UN process:
Addressing climate change means more jobs, stronger economy
A new report by CSIRO, Allen Consulting and ACF for the Dusseldorp Skills Forum has found that if Australia takes significant action to cut greenhouse gas emissions, national employment will still increase by between 2.6 million and 3.3 million over the next two decades. The report, Growing the Green Collar Economy, identifies the employment impact of action to cut greenhouse gas emissions in Australia and examines the skills, training and workforce implications. Demand for new skills will be most pressing in renewable energy and in the design and construction of green buildings and in manufacturing and maintaining cleaner vehicles and transport systems. Jobs in sectors that are currently high carbon emitters, like transport, manufacturing and construction are also expected to grow and will need to be turned into ‘green collar’ jobs in a clean economy.
Emissions Trading and Energy Affordability
The Climate Institute has released a paper on how an emissions trading scheme would affect households. Compiled by the CSIRO and ANU it shows that for most Australians, the affordability of energy is likely to improve substantially over
coming years, notwithstanding the introduction of emissions trading and the associated
increase in energy prices.
Energy efficiency measures and public transport investment will play a significant
role over the medium term to help increase efficiency, and so reduce the additional costs to householders.
The briefing paper is available here.
Key Tests for an Emissions Trading Scheme
An emissions trading scheme could be an efficient and effective way to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions, or it could be an elaborate ruse designed to shift responsibility and wealth. It all depends how it is designed.
This paper outlines the key things to get right in an emissions trading scheme to ensure that it plays a role in preventing dangerous climate change.
Blueprint for an energy [r]evolution
Wanna know how Australia could reduce our emissions from electricity generation by 37% by 2020? Greenpeace's energy [r]evolution document does just that, whilst fazing out coal by 2030 and substantially increasing our renewable energy generation. It also outlines a pathway for more efficient transport, including:
- Large-scale roll out of electric vehicles
- Setting strict fuel efficiency standards to deliver more efficient cars
- Reducing aviation demand by increasing use of efficient road and rail transport networks
The full report, and a nifty summary, can be downloaded from here. You can also visit the very enjoyable website here
How to Talk to a Climate Kook
Bernard Keane of crikey.com.au has compiled a witty and succinct set of arguments in case you find yourself sitting next to an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) sceptic. Includes: why we should act when Australia's total emissions are small; why 2010 i s NOT too soon to introduce an ETS; why jobs won't "leak" offshore; why transport must be included; and why we shouldn't wait for the rest of the world or magic technology bullets to work on their own. If you'd like more, Gristmill (http://gristmill.grist.org/skeptics) has also compiled a series of articles containing responses to the ost common sceptical arguments on global warming. There are four eparate taxonomies, with arguments are divided by Stages of Denial, Scientific Topics, Types of Argument, and Levels of Sophistication.
2008 CANA Conference
The 2008 Climate Action Network Australia (CANA) Conference was a sell-out event on 28 & 29 April. Thought-provoking presentations and panel discussions ensured that Day 1 attendees, who filled the venue to full-house capacity of 160, received up-to-the-minute reports on latest climate science, issues of equity and justice and the challenges facing Australia's policymakers and businesses.
To bring yourself up to date see the conference website for speaker list, the agenda and download the presentations.
CANA's submission to the Garnaut Review
What was the result of the Bali Climate Negotiations?
This scorecard from CANA and Members scores the outcome of the negotiations and the role that Australia played.
For the full story see the detailed reasons behind the scorecard
Climate Change: Negotiations Guide
Our Climate Change: Negotiations Guide gives more information on what the international climate change negotiations (including the Bali meeting) are about, what Kyoto is and how it works, and what other options there are (or aren't).
Australia's Mitigation Potential
Australia received a special deal when the Kyoto Protocol first commitment periods were negotiated (an 8% increase, versus an average 5% decrease from other developed countries). The post-2012 targets are currently being negotiated, at the UN negotiations, and this report explores what potential Australia has for reducing our emissions, and how this compares to other countries.
Australia's Mitigation Potential, or: why Australia should not receive another special deal.
The Climate Institute has prepared a report on the economic impacts of Australia taking emission reduction targets, Leader, Follower or Free Rider that shows that Australia becoming carbon neutral by 2050 is consistent with strong economic growth, and that Australia would benefit if it were to take a leadership position on targets.
CANA busts the Myths of Climate Change
There are a number of Climate Change Myths that get trotted out, and this report systematically debunks each of them. It shows:
- An "aspirational" global goal with voluntary action won't stop climate change. We need a Kyoto-style agreement incorporating targets for developed countries if we are to prevent dangerous climate change.
- A comparison of Chinese and Australian federal climate change plans show that China is taking more action.
- There is already a global emissions trading scheme set up under Kyoto, currently about $30bn and reducing global emissions by roughly the same as Australia's total emissions per year.
- Australia has a clear obligation to act on climate change - and our actions will make a difference on the world stage.
Full report: Myths Debunked
Turning Down the Heat: A Climate Change Action Agenda for Australia
CANA has launched a comprehensive set of policies required to avoid dangerous climate change, and to strengthen our economy. First we need to start with a target to reduce our climate change pollution by at least 30% by 2020. Then implement a set of policies to ensure we meet this target, create a safe climate for our children, build employment and ensure our economy is well placed to compete in the new carbon constrained world. Turning Down the Heat is available here.
25% Renewable Energy by 2020
If we introduced a 25% renewable energy target by 2020 we would not only fight climate change, it would deliver at least 16,600 new jobs for Australians, generate $33 billion in new investment and create enough renewable electricity to power every home in Australia.A comprehensive plan for 25% renewable energy by 2020.
Climate Change will Hurt Australian Agriculture
Australia's agricultural production will decline by between 16 and 27 per cent if climate change is left unchecked, according to a new study by the Center for Global Development. World agricultural production output will drop by between 3 and 16 per cent with developing countries facing the worst impacts. India faces a drop in production of up to 40 per while war torn Sudan faces a collapse in output of as much as 56 per cent. Find out more here.
Emissions Trading
Establishing a cost of carbon through emissions trading could help us substantially reduce our greenhouse pollution OR it could be an elaborate way to disguise a lack of action and transfer wealth to polluters. Read the important things to get right for emission trading to be effective and
CANA's submission into the Federal Government's Emissions Trading Taskforce
Adapting to Climate Change: What's Needed in Poor Countries and Who Should Pay
Oxfam's new report on what it will cost poor countries to deal with climate change, and who should be responsible for paying is a real eye opener. Oxfam calculate that the costs of adaptation for poor countries will be at least $50bn per year, and that Australia should be providing 2.9% (or about $1.5 billion). The longer that we take to reduce our greenhouse pollution, the more damage we cause and the higher our responsibility is.
Full report here
IPCC: the science of climate change
The UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a panel of over 2,500 scientists, report every 6 years. They have released 3 of the 4 reports for 2007:
The first is a definitive guide to the science of climate change.
The second is the impacts, adaptation and vulnerability of natural and human systems around the world.
The third is how we stop dangerous climate change: Mitigation of Climate Change
The UN Foundation has released a report, Confronting Climate Change: Avoiding the Unmanageable and Managing the Unavoidable it identifies when dangerous climate change kicks in, and a road map for avoiding dangerous climate change.
96% of government subsidies for energy and transport go to fossil fuels - only 4% to renewables and energy efficiency
Australian Governments Subsidise Fossil Fuels over $9billion a year and renewable energy and energy efficiency less than $400million per year. Which goes to show that we have the money to solve the problem - we just have to shift from subsidising the problem to subsidising the solution.Full report.
Australian Climate Justice Program
Want to know how the law is being used as a force for good in the fight against dangerous climate change?
Visit www.cana.net.au/ACJP
Green Electricity Watch 2007
Some of Australia's leading environmental groups have joined forces to give you more information on the best choices for clean power. Australia's electricity retailers are ranked based on their greenhouse policies and on the products they provide. Find out all about it at: www.greenelectricitywatch.org.au.
Renewables CAN Provide Baseload
A new and informative paper on how energy efficiency and renewables can provide baseload without the climate change emissions of coal. Download paper here
Climate Change will affect all of us
In a hotter and more volatile world, both rich and poor stand to lose. Those already affected by poverty, malnutrition and disease will face new hardships. In Australia our industries, livelihoods and public health will face serious threats from drought, disease and extreme weather events. Where we live, and our cost of living will be affected.
This web resource details the social impacts of climate change and why we must take urgent action to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.
Climate Change will impact development objectives. The Climate Change and Development Roundtable have commissioned a report on the impacts of climate change in the Asia Pacific Region, and recommendations as to how Australia should react.
National Electricity Market increases greenhouse pollution
Peak social, environment and business groups have called for environmental and social
objectives in the National Electricity Market - to improve efficiency, reduce greenhouse pollution and protect
vulnerable consumers.
Power for the People Declaration
Nuclear is No Answer to Climate Change
The "nuclear debate" has been rife with assertions, and low on facts. CANA members are united in saying that nuclear power is not the answer to climate change.
CANA's nuclear fact page
Climate Justice: A Fair Share of the Atmosphere
Friends of the Earth Australia have released a report that emphasises the humanitarian reasons to stop dangerous climate change. Climate Justice: A Fair Share of the Atmosphere.
Climate Change and Water
How will climate change affect the water supplies where you live? A comprehensive and easy to read summary of Australian research on the impacts of climate change on our water can be seen at our website.
Except where otherwise explicitly authorised, any material on this website which may be construed as electoral material or an electoral matter under
any State or Commonwealth Law is authorised by Julie-Anne Richards on behalf of The Climate Action Network Australia, Level 13 Jones St , Ultimo NSW 2007.
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