Pearls and Irritations

In the lead-up to the federal election, the ALP has made climate change a focus of its campaign and has provided significant opportunities to strengthen climate action in Australia. However, if elected, the ALP would need to rapidly ratchet up these policies to ensure the scale and speed of transition that is required.

1. Reducing emissions

The ALP reaffirmed its plans to cut Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions by 45% on 2005 levels by 2030, and ensure 50% of the nation’s electricity comes from renewable sources by 2030.

Additionally, it has announced a long-term target of net zero greenhouse gas pollution by 2050.

Crucially, Labor will not use Kyoto carryover credits to meet its greenhouse gas emissions reduction target. This dodgy accounting mechanism involves using credits that Australia gained in beating its 2020 goal under the Kyoto Protocol and using them again to meet the new targets under the Paris Agreement – effectively double dipping on the same ‘success’.The ALP’s position is in contrast to the current Coalition government, which plans to rely on these credits to effectively weaken its already low target.

The Verdict?

The ALP’s plan for a 45% emissions reduction target is significantly stronger than what we have now. It is very important that Labor has ruled out using Kyoto credits, which would have seriously undermined the strength of that target.

So, if elected, this would represent a significant step forward. But, we are starting from a very low base. The Climate Change Authority’s original recommendation was for a 45-65% reduction by 2030, to be in line with the science and our international obligations. If elected, the ALP will need to rapidly ratchet up this target.

2. Capping Australia’s biggest polluters

Labor also intends to expand the Coalition’s ‘safeguard mechanism’, which is a way to limit the greenhouse gas pollution of Australia’s biggest emitters. Currently, this mechanism applies to companies that emit more than 100,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas pollution each year. This has been ineffective, with pollution rising every quarter for the past four years. Labor’s policy would lower that cap to 25,000 tonnes, that will force about 250 of Australia’s largest polluters to reduce their emissions.

The Verdict?

Tightening up the safeguard mechanism is a pragmatic step in tackling some of the nation’s dirtiest industries.

3. Boosting Electric Vehicles (EVs)

Labor has announced a National EV Policy to support the uptake of cleaner transport. This includes a national EV target of 50% new car sales by 2030, with half of all government fleet vehicles to be electric by 2025.

To support this transition, the ALP has also proposed:

• A $200 million infrastructure plan to create an electric vehicle charging network across the nation
• Tax deductions for businesses to buy EVs
• Incentives for residential and commercial developments to create new charging facilities
• Investment in public transport projects

Importantly, the ALP has announced plans to introduce new Vehicle Emissions Standards, that will limit the amount of carbon pollution per kilometre from light vehicles.

The Verdict?

Transport is a major polluter and one of the fastest growing sources of greenhouse gas emissions, with passenger motor vehicles representing the largest single source of transport pollution. These new policies are a positive step for reducing greenhouse gas pollution, in a sector that has previously had little attention.

There are opportunities to extend these policies further to make them more effective. For instance, ensuring that all EVs are powered with renewables and ramping up support for public transport, cycling and walking, to reduce congestion in Australia’s major cities.

4. Rebuilding the Climate Change Authority

Labor will rebuild and strengthen the Climate Change Authority (CCA), a government agency that reviews and advises on climate change policies and mitigation action. The CCA can conduct important independent research and modelling work to ensure that Australia can adapt to a changing climate. This will include a triennial Climate Change Assessment, analysing the impacts of climate change on Australian life.

The Verdict?

To respond to the increasing threat of climate change, it is essential that the Australian Government has access to independent science, research and modelling to inform policy. Under the current government, the CCA has been reduced to a skeleton of its former self – its funding has been slashed and there is no climate science expertise on the Board. There is significant work to do to restore the CCA’s credibility and enable it to provide frank and fearless advice to Government.

Restoring the Climate Change Authority’s funding, and initiating Climate Change Assessments is a very positive move. It is critical that the Board of the CCA and the Panel advising the Assessments includes climate scientists.

What’s missing?

Despite showing leadership on a range of issues, there are a number of glaring omissions. The ALP’s climate policy is not explicit on coal, although some of the policies, such as the 50% renewable energy target, will reduce Australia’s dependence on it.

The ALP’s climate policy is silent on the current Coalition Government’s potential investment in fossil fuel power generation, and the need to phase out domestic and export coal and gas (including the controversial Carmichael coal mine). Rapidly phasing out fossil fuels is crucial to tackling climate change effectively.

While the ALP recognises the importance of adapting to a changing climate and has proposed climate assessments, a clear climate adaptation strategy, including funds to adapt to intensifying climate change, needs to urgently be implemented. We have already lost valuable time.

Amanda McKenzie is the CEO of the Climate Council of Australia. This post has been modified from a message circulated to Climate Council supporters.

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