Councils making strides towards net zero.

Australia’s councils have been given a ‘green’ star for their efforts to reduce emissions, with a report finding that all local governments assessed in the report are taking steps to cut emissions.

Australia's councils have been given a
'green star' for their efforts in reducing emissions.

 The latest Net Zero Momentum Tracker report assesses the emissions-reductions commitments and activities of Australia’s 57 largest local governments.

 Prepared by ClimateWorks with the Monash Sustainability Development Institute, the local government report is part of a series focusing on major sectors of the Australian economy as part of the Net Zero Momentum Tracker initiative.

 The Tracker is designed to bring together and evaluate climate action commitments in order to help local governments build momentum towards net zero emissions. 

 Read the story from the Local Government Report - “Councils making strides towards net zero.”

Largest ever group of global investors call for more action to meet Paris targets

The largest ever group of institutional investors has called on governments around the world to urgently increase their efforts to meet the Paris climate change agreement goals.

 A smokestack from a coal-fired power station. Investors say
there is an ‘ambition gap’ between governments’ commitments
 and what is needed to limit the global temperature increase to 2C.

The 414 global investors - which represent US$31 trillion of assets-under-management - say they are deeply concerned about the “ambition gap” that exists between governments’ commitments and what is needed to limit the global temperature increase to well below 2C above pre-industrial levels.

They say that gap is increasing the physical risks from climate change and hampering investors’ ability to properly allocate trillions of dollars needed to support the much-needed transition to a low carbon economy.

Read the story by Gareth Hutchens from The Guardian - “Largest ever group of global investors call for more action to meet Paris targets.”

Science under siege

While the news from Washington has been dominated by Brett Kavanaugh’s candidacy for the Supreme Court and how it will help cement Donald Trump’s legacy, the administration has been intensifying its attack on science and redoubling its efforts to dismantle regulations designed to protect health and the environment and tackle global warming. The legacy of that campaign could be much more toxic and longer-lasting than the outcome of the Kavanaugh hearings, and not just for the United States.

Presidential polluter: Donald Trump boarding Air Force One
for a trip to a fundraiser in Minnesota earlier this month. 

In the past two weeks alone, reports reveal fresh attacks on independent sources of advice. The Office of the Science Advisor to the Environmental Protection Agency seems set to be dissolved. This senior post offers advice to the EPA and its administrator on science underpinning health and environmental policies, regulations and decisions. The head of the EPA Office of Children’s Health, a respected paediatric epidemiologist, has been placed on unexplained administrative leave following reports that the incumbent has repeatedly clashed with administration officials bent on loosening pollution regulations. The disputes are reported to centre on the planned weakening of mercury emission rules, announced on 30 September, the administration’s failure to act on a recommendation by EPA scientists that the organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos be banned, and the proposal to dismantle programs that protect children from lead poisoning.

Read the story by Lesley Russell from Inside Story - “Science under siege.”

Biggest polluters get clear path to hike emissions under plan

Australia’s biggest polluting companies would more easily jack up their greenhouse gas emissions under a Turnbull government proposal that critics say undermines multi-billion dollar efforts to tackle climate change.

The government has proposed loosening the safeguard mechanism,
which limits greenhouse gas emissions from big polluters.

The proposed change was prompted by feedback from businesses, including the petroleum industry, which said emissions rules did not adequately allow their businesses to grow.

The Department of the Environment and Energy last week released a consultation paper outlining planned changes to the "safeguard mechanism", which is supposed to ensure pollution reductions bought through the government’s $2.55 billion Emissions Reduction Fund are not offset by emissions increases elsewhere in the economy.

Read Nicole Hasham’s story in today’s Age - “Biggest polluters get clear path to hike emissions under plan.”

Australia is now the 'Colossal Fossil'

Once Canada's award, but
now Australia is
 the "Colossal Fossil".

Australia is many things to many people, but the world’s environment groups it is the “Colossal Fossil”.

Along with being accused of “creative accounting”, Australia as the worst performed country at the two week climate change talks in Lima.

In a Sydney Morning Herald story headed: “Lima climate talks: tough decisions deferred as UN meeting winds up” reported that, "From the get-go Australia signalled they were not coming here to make progress towards a comprehensive international climate agreement.".

The environment groups’ criticized Australia’s efforts and deemed the country was a worthy recipient of the “Colossal Fossil” award.

Garnaut critical of Federal Government's intentions

Ross Garnaut has been critical of the Federal Government’s plan to scrap the existing carbon tax in Australia.

Ross Garnaut criticizes
 Federal Government.

The Melbourne Herald-Sun reporting in a story headed: “Carbon policy pits Aus against US: Garnaut”, said the former government adviser and a prominent economist has questioned government intentions.

Mr Garnaut says China, Europe and U.S, are moving toward big efforts to combat climate change and Australia, through the scrapping of its detailed and sophisticated carbon laws, is fundamentally opposing that action.

He said that with existing policies, Australia would be still in the game and doing its fair share, but pursuing what’s proposed we would be out of the game and not doing our fair share.