States unite to push Libs on climate target

The Turnbull government is facing new demands to give ground on the climate change target that underpins its National Energy Guarantee, as Labor states negotiate a joint position to force changes to the scheme at a crucial meeting next week.

Minister for Environment and Energy Josh Frydenberg
 and Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull.

Labor governments in Victoria, Queensland and the ACT are brokering a new list of demands to be unveiled next week to ensure a future federal government has more scope to make deeper cuts to greenhouse gas emissions over the decade ahead.

With the federal policy hanging in the balance, the united stance is aimed at maximising pressure on Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg to go much further than his latest proposal for a review of the target in 2024.

Read the story by David Crowe from The Age - “States unite to push Libs on climate target.”

Westpac promises much, but delivers little

Westpac’s commitment to help limit global warming to less than 2C does not mean it is going to stop investing in coal projects soon.

Australia’s oldest bank has agreed to judge lending proposals according to how they conform to the UN’s climate change target of restricting global temperatures, but will not rule out investment in individual sectors.

“It’s very hard to see how scientists could say one particular project could push us over two degrees,” Westpac’s chairman, Lindsay Maxsted, said at Friday’s annual general meeting in Sydney.

Read The Guardian story - “Westpac will not rule out investing in coal projects 'if they fit our criteria’.”

 

(Westpac’s pledge to limit global warming to less 2C sounds wonderful, but is hollow and as profit and growth, the mantra of all the world’s corporations, is unquestionably the sole determinate of any decisions it makes regarding future investments in the coal industry – Robert McLean).

 

 

Business leaders challenge governments to set strong climate targets

Suzanne Goldberg.

A group of high-profile business leaders has challenged governments to set strong targets and not slam the door on limiting warming to 1.5C.

On Monday, a Paris meeting aimed at reaching a global deal to fight climate change kicks up to a gear, with government ministers taking charge of negotiations.

As ministers arrived in Paris, the chief executives of companies such as Virgin, Marks & Spencer, L’Oreal and Unilever said it was critical for governments to reach for stronger targets that would free the world’s economy from carbon emissions by 2050 and avoid dangerous warming.

Read Suzanne Goldenberg’s on The Guardian - “Coalition of business leaders challenges 2C climate change target.”