Governments not taking enough action on Climate

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released a report this morning giving incontrovertible evidence that Queensland and Federal Governments are not doing enough to tackle climate change. 

The expert climate panel's update on Climate Mitigation compares international climate agreements with the most recent global temperature data and modelling, to show that the world is not on track to stop warming at 1.5 degrees.” Queensland Conservation Council Director Dave Copeman said.

"Every fraction of a degree of warming is another huge increase in risk of destruction of our Great Barrier Reef and other precious ecosystems, as well as our towns and cities through extreme weather. The findings from the expert report that we are not doing enough to keep warming to 1.5 degrees, just as we emerge from another major flooding event in south east Queensland and northern NSW, should ring alarm bells for our government. 

This report is another reminder that Federal Government 26-28% target by 2030 is woefully insufficient and not in line with the Paris Agreement. Similarly, the Queensland Government is running out of chances to update its inadequate climate target. 30% emissions reduction by 2030 is not enough.  

The report makes it clear that to keep to a 1.5 degree pathway, we must stop using fossil fuels for electricity generation before 2030, and move to cleaner, cheaper renewable generation and storage.The report states that “(t)his will leave fossil fuel resources unburned and risks stranding fossil-related infrastructure,”. In his response to the report, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres puts it more forcefully, “Investing in new fossil fuels infrastructure is moral and economic madness."

“We must also introduce the incentives and regulations necessary for Queensland’s land sector to be carbon positive by 2025, and stop being a net emitter of greenhouse gases. We must plant trees and support forests to regrow, instead of allowing the 680,688 hectares out of control land clearing that we witnessed in the most recent SLATS report. 

“We must end the fugitive methane emissions that come from coal and gas extraction industries. No new coal mines or gas wells should be approved in Queensland.   

Unfortunately, in Qld we're still seeing major increases in emissions and very little planning to reduce them in line with the scientific targets that will keep our communities safe from more climate disasters,"

“Queensland has a huge opportunity to become a renewable energy manufacturer and superpower while helping other countries meet their targets using our products. But we must first have serious climate targets, to show the world that we are a trading partner for the future.” Mr Copeman said. 

“Queensland is at risk of being left behind in an increasingly harsh world of fire and flood. The Queensland Government needs to act now to ensure a safe and secure future for all Queenslanders.” Mr Copeman said.

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