Small cuts not enough to halt climate change
30 Sep 2008
WWF-Australia today urged the Federal Government to take decisive action and adopt Professor Ross Garnaut's recommendation that Australia should aim to achieve an emissions target of 450ppm CO2 equivalent by the year 2100.
WWF believes that a strong international agreement is achievable but only if countries like Australia show leadership and commit to deep cuts.
"Australia must make cuts of at least 25 per cent by 2020 and take this commitment to Copenhagen," said Kellie Caught, WWF's Climate Change Policy Manager.
Professor Garnaut recognised the impending crisis of inaction stating in his report: "The failure of our generation would lead to consequences that would haunt humanity until the end of time."
"Australia cannot afford to be pessimistic about the international negotiations, it has too much to lose economically and environmentally if we do not take a lead," Ms Caught said.
"There was a commitment at Bali to put emission cuts of 25-40 per cent by 2020 on the negotiating table. Australia should not walk away from this.
"If the world's biggest emitters focus their significant intellectual and production resources on cutting emissions, there is a genuine possibility of achieving 450ppm - and ultimately reducing atmospheric carbon to 400ppm."
Professor Garnaut's report shows the costs of action are less than the cost of inaction, and Australia can remain prosperous with living standards improving even if it agrees to deep cuts.
"Even without an international agreement Australia should still commit to a cut of 25 per cent by 2020, as we have the resources and technology to achieve this," Ms Caught said.
"It is important not to delude ourselves into thinking that small activities will be sufficient to avoid dangerous climate change.
"If we do not implement the right policies now to support a low emission technological revolution, the chance of avoiding a two degree temperature rise is rapidly diminished.
"As the rest of the world inevitably moves to take on a carbon price, Australia can take advantage of being an early mover.
"With world methane levels again on the rise, and the two per cent increase in Australia's carbon emissions announced recently by the Global Carbon Project, it has never been more important for Australians to act to preserve our future," Ms Caught said.
For more information
Alvin Stone, WWF-Australia Press Office
Phone: (02) 8202 1259 or mobile 0410 221 068
