Voluntary action now critical for Australia’s climate response
Communities want their voluntary action to count
National – Wednesday 09 Decemeber 2009
In the wake of failed negotiations in Canberra, the Australian Government must not impede the efforts of individuals and communities who are actively working to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, says the Alternative Technology Association (ATA), Moreland Energy Foundation (MEFL) and the Total Environment Centre (TEC).
Damien Moyse, Energy Policy Manager for the ATA, says while politicians are bickering, individuals, neighbourhoods and whole communities are getting on with the job of reducing their carbon emissions.
“Right now households, businesses and community organisations are purchasing accredited GreenPower and undertaking other voluntary investments to increase the supply of renewable energy and help Australia make the transition to a low-carbon future. Any new scheme or policy that fails to account for these actions would be a mistake.”
Negotiations between the Opposition and the Government saw both agreeing to recognise the contribution that individuals and communities make to reducing the nation’s carbon emissions under an Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS).
“We are calling on both the Rudd Government and the Opposition to honour their commitment to account for voluntary action, when reviewing their climate change policies,” says Brad Shone, Energy Strategy Manager for MEFL.
“Whatever method of carbon abatement each party chooses, they need to remember that the community wants their efforts to reduce their individual carbon emissions to actually make a difference, and not make it easier for industry to pollute.”
Jane Castle, Senior Campaigner for TEC, said both the Government’s Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme (CPRS) and the Coalition’s policies on direct action must recognise and account for the emissions reductions created by voluntary action on climate change.
“The Federal Government and the Opposition now have a perfect opportunity to ensure that GreenPower, carbon offsets, energy efficiency and small-scale renewable energy systems such as roof-top solar PV and micro-wind systems, all act to further reduce Australia’s carbon footprint.”
