FoE Australia campaign priorities on climate change for the federal election
The federal election – time for serious action on climate change
deep cuts fast!
The 2007 federal election provides a pivotal opportunity for all political parties to demonstrate how seriously they take global warming.
Rich nations with large carbon debts must lead the way with the deepest emissions reductions, whilst allowing other countries to continue to develop economically with lesser reductions and by providing renewable technology and adaptation aid.
FoE Australia is campaigning for:
Legally binding national targets to cut greenhouse pollution by 40% by 2020 and 90 – 95% by 2050 (from 1990 levels).
An additional climate refugee program at home and lobbying for international recognition of climate refugees.
Ratification of the Kyoto Protocol and international leadership by Australia in the post-2012 Kyoto negotiations for rich nations accepting their “differentiated responsibility” for the global carbon debt.
Putting energy efficiency first (the cheapest, quickest and most job rich option for achieving emissions reductions) in national energy policy.
A national renewable energy target of 30% by 2020 to drive investment in renewable energy
An overseas aid budget (ODA) of at least 0.7% of GNI by 2015 to help increase the resilience of social and natural systems to climate change.
Shifting research support and industry subsidies from dirty and dangerous energy to renewable energy
An annual contribution of $1 800 million annually to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change adaptation funds, prioritising the most vulnerable Southern communities in recognition of the impact of our historical greenhouse gas emissions. This contribution should be over and above any increases in ODA.
Investigation into whether we need to introduce carbon quotas for people and industry (an annual allocation of carbon consistent with a 'fair share' of the atmosphere).
We oppose
nuclear power as a 'solution' to climate change (its too expensive, too slow, leaves dangerous waste for our children, impacts negatively on Indigenous peoples)
carbon trading; unless it stops business–as–usual through 100% auctioning of permits, achieves a 40% emission reductions by 2020 through year on year reductions, and excludes all offsets.
'clean' coal – where emissions are captured and put underground (this is commercially untested, expensive, potentially dangerous and too slow to be a core element of a sustainable energy mix)
