Climate Justice

Friends of the Earth International 5 October 2015
ATLANTA, USA, October 5, 2015 – Today trade ministers from 12 countries negotiating the giant 'Trans Pacific Partnership' reached an agreement on a trade deal which sets the economic rules for 40 percent of the world economy.

Friends of the Earth warned that the 'Trans Pacific Partnership', or TPP, will threaten people and planet, if ratified.

Planetary emergency - a global problem needs a co-ordinated solution.

Media release 11 August 2015

[check below for international responses]

National environment group Friends of the Earth Australia (FoEA) has condemned the federal government's proposed post 2020 emissions target.

On Saturday July 25th, the Australian Labor Party (ALP) will decide its policy platform at their National Conference in Melbourne.

Climate affects all working people. If the ALP wants to be the party of workers, it must show it has the spine to set goals that will deliver safe jobs, clean power and a fair economy.

Late last night, the Abbott government's push to cut the Renewable Energy Target -- the central plank of national renewable energy policy -- passed the Senate.

"The Prime Minister's decision to slash the national Renewable Energy Target by 20 per cent means 3,680 less jobs by 2020," said Leigh Ewbank, Friends of the Earth's renewable energy spokesperson.

Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott has strayed beyond his area of expertise by lending weight to unsubstantiated claims wind energy is linked to adverse health impacts.

This morning, Prime Minister told radio host Alan Jones he finds wind farms “visually disturbing” and believes they may have “potential health impacts.”

The Victorian government's promised Inquiry into Unconventional Gas has now been formally announced. Public hearings start in Gippsland on June 30.

We have until July 10 to get submissions in.

Friends of the Earth is deeply disappointed that the Abbott government's refusal to back renewable energy has lead to today's outcome on the Renewable Energy target (RET).

"Today, the Abbott government has agreed to cut the Renewable Energy Target by 20 percent. This means less clean energy, less jobs, and less investment for Australia," says Friends of the Earth's Yes 2 Renewables coordinator, Leigh Ewbank.

"2,500 renewable energy jobs have been lost on PM Tony Abbott's watch. This cut to the RET means 3,680 less jobs by 2020."

With the continued attempts by the federal government to undermine the Renewable Energy Target (RET), we need to stay focused on federal politics to ensure the best possible policy environment for the uptake of renewable power.

Melbourne, 26 May 2015. Activists today attempted to unfurl a giant banner in BHP Billiton headquarters containing the names of over 9,000 people who are calling for the company to abandon its plans to build a series of coal mines in some of the last remaining stands of primary rainforest in Indonesian Borneo. The banner – measuring 12 square metres – was to be hung in the foyer of BHP Billiton’s head offices in Melbourne, but was quickly confiscated by BHP Billiton security (image of banner available below).