Garnaut interim report recognises need for strong, early action
Date: 21-Feb-2008

Professor Ross Garnaut’s interim report on Australia’s response to climate change, released today, recognises that it is in our national interest to act early and decisively on climate change and to show international leadership by encouraging other countries to do the same.

Professor Ross Garnaut’s interim report on Australia’s response to climate change, released today, recognises that it is in our national interest to act early and decisively on climate change and to show international leadership by encouraging other countries to do the same.

The interim report says Australia has an “exceptional sensitivity to climate change” and an “exceptional opportunity to do well in a world of effective global mitigation”.

“Professor Garnaut has confirmed that Australia has more to lose than other developed countries if we fail to act on climate change and more to gain if the world does act swiftly,” said Australian Conservation Foundation executive director Don Henry.

“The message to all Australians – government, business and the wider community – is that the job of reducing emissions belongs to us all and we must get cracking if we are to avoid unacceptable levels of risk,” Mr Henry said.

The report says the Federal Government “must be ready to go beyond” its emission reduction target of 60 per cent by 2050 as part of a global agreement.

“Last year the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change said developed countries may need to reduce emissions by 80–95 per cent by 2050 in order to have a reasonable chance of avoiding dangerous climate change,” Mr Henry said.

“It’s important the Federal Government sets targets that are solidly grounded in the science.

“Australia can make a big difference internationally, especially by encouraging the United States to join the global effort.

“To be a leader internationally, we also need to get our own house in order.

“I urge the Rudd Government to continue the good work it started in Bali in December when it ratified the Kyoto Protocol by developing science based 2020 and 2050 targets that will avoid dangerous climate change by keeping global warming below two degrees.