As Garnaut Calls for cuts, ACT emissions increase
The draft report released today by Professor Ross Garnaut has highlighted how the ACT is completely out of step with where it should be headed, Greens candidate for Molonglo Shane Rattenbury said today.
Professor Garnaut's address provided a powerful case for early action. He stressed there will be winners and losers, and the most innovative stand to gain the most. This is where the ACT is lagging behind.
"The Stanhope Government has adopted a target of a 14% increase in greenhouse emissions over 1990 levels by 2025. By 2004, ACT emissions were already 20.5% above 1990 levels. This is completely out of step with what the scientists are telling us we must do, and if other jurisdictions and countries match this, the planet faces an environmental and economic catastrophe," said Rattenbury.
"These figures point to the need for an innovative and committed response. Energy efficient housing and businesses, massively improved public transport, a coherent energy policy and a vibrant renewable energy industry are the ideas and opportunities that will future-proof the ACT and it's economy. The Government must play a stronger role in making this change happen."
"The ACT Government is dropping the ball on climate change", said Rattenbury.
"The 2008-09 budget is an example. The Government listed the Arboretum as a climate change initiative. The Arboretum is many things, but it is not a significant action to reduce the ACT's greenhouse emissions."
"As Professor Garnaut has highlighted, we need real action on climate change. The ACT Government needs to get serious and deliver some new thinking and serious commitment, or risk the ACT being caught short as the rest of the country and the world moves forward."
For further comment, Shane Rattenbury 0415 990 349
