WWF supports Treasury modelling on climate change
31 Oct 2008
WWF welcomed the release of the Department of Treasury modelling in Canberra today which shows Australia can afford to take deep and early cuts to greenhouse gas emissions.
Treasury's work predicts that the introduction of the Government's proposed Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) will cost much less than previously estimated. According to the modelling, all industry sectors but aluminium will continue to grow at a healthy rate despite the emissions trading scheme.
"This modelling clearly shows cutting emissions by a third does little to GNP, which would grow at 1.1 per cent per annum compared to the reference case of 1.2 per cent. Ambitious action to reduce pollution is both achievable and affordable," said Paul Toni, WWF-Australia's head of Development and Sustainability.
"Today's announcement should put to rest claims by polluting industries that a CPRS would be terrible for business, pushing them offshore and costing jobs. The Australian public continues to express its support for a CPRS being introduced by 2010 and the Government now has an opportunity to take a real leadership role," said Mr Toni.
Despite current global financial unease, WWF-Australia has stressed that the consequences to the economy of not addressing climate change will be far more dramatic.
"The current economic climate will improve in time, the threat of climate change is not going away unless dramatic action is taken by governments. The cost of inaction will be far higher than the cost of taking action on this issue," said Mr Toni.
WWF-Australia applauds the methodical approach taken by the Government in developing its climate change policy but stresses the time has come to make deep cuts to emission levels. A cut of one-third has been shown to be ambitious, but within Australia's grasp and an important contribution to a global solution.
Mr Toni said immediate savings for businesses, both in greenhouse gas emissions and dollars, can be made by improving energy efficiency.
"We believe Australia should strongly advocate for a global agreement which will stabilise greenhouses gas levels at 450 parts per million. This is crucial if we are to avoid the catastrophic effects of climate change," said Mr Toni.
For more information
Jonathon Larkin, Communications Officer
0410 221 410, jlarkin@wwf.org.au
