Thursday February 21, 04:52 PM
Aust 'most vulnerable' to climate change: Garnaut
A report by economist Ross Garnaut has warned Australia must take a lead role in tackling climate change or risk becoming the most badly damaged country in the developed world.
Professor Garnaut has handed down his interim report on carbon emissions targets and the creation of an emissions trading scheme today.
The report was commissioned by the federal, state and territory governments to help develop major policies on climate change.
Professor Garnaut says Australia's large agricultural sector and a reliance on trade with developing nations in Asia, that are also put at risk by rising temperatures, makes it one of the most vulnerable countries in the developed world.
"Without action we are running towards dangerous points more quickly that a lot of the earlier analysis has suggested," he said.
He says Australia needs to play a lead role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions by going beyond its stated target of a 60 per cent cut by 2050.
But Professor Garnaut says Australia is relatively well-placed to convert strong action on climate change into economic opportunity.
The report also sets out an initial guide to the design of an emissions trading scheme.
State and federal leaders have been briefed on the details of the interim report in Adelaide.
South Australian Premier Mike Rann says it paints a very sobering picture for the global community.
"Essentially what I'm sure that you will find out is that in the last five years and certainly since the modelling done by Sir Nicholas Stern, things are much worse for the world in terms of global warming than previously believed," he said.
Western Australian Premier Alan Carpenter says the report has a blunt warning.
"What Ross Garnaut has done is basically tell us, 'less time than you thought, more action than you thought, maybe in a shorter space of time'," Mr Carpenter said.
"There needs to be a sense of urgency. This isn't a matter just for governments, it's a matter for the ordinary people of the states."
Policy
Climate Change Minister Penny Wong has welcomed the interim report and says it will help to inform the Federal Government as it develops its policies.
But she says Labor will not go past its election commitment of a 60 per cent cut in emissions by 2050.
"Obviously unlike the previous government we have said we would be cognisant of the science," she said.
"But the Government's commitment is the one we made prior to the election and that we took to the Australian people, which is a reduction of 60 per cent by 2050.
"That is the approach the Government will take."
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has told Parliament it is vital the Government gets its climate change policies right.
"It's critical for the economy, critical for families, critical for the environment, critical for national security," he said.
"After 12 years of inaction on the whole question of climate change it's time that Australia led the international community on this question, it's time we had a government that led the national debate on this question.
"That's what needs to be done now, that's what this Government is now engaged in."
The final report will be released in September.
The Climate Institute says the report is an important starting point for a mature debate about climate change policy.
Chief executive John Connor says it outlines how Australian can become a low-carbon economy.
"What's significant is that he highlights that Australia is one of the countries most at risk from climate change, but also has most to gain from early action on climate change," Mr Connor said.
"So this is a real important curtain-raiser on a mature debate that we need to have, and that needs to look at strong action and decisive action."
Related links: Commit now on climate: Garnaut Review
Garnaut report a call to action, says Brown
Garnaut report must strike a balance: Bligh
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