GREENHOUSE GAS POLLUTION INCREASES FOR THE FIRST TIME IN 10 YEARS UNDER THE TURNBULL GOVERNMENT

Media Release

Mark Butler MP.

Shadow Minister for Environment
 Climate Change and Water

Date:  01 February 2016

Under the Turnbull Liberal Government, for the first time in 10 years, greenhouse gas emissions are rising in Australia.

At a time when nearly 200 countries around the world have acknowledged the need to reduce greenhouse gas pollution, the Liberals are taking Australia in the wrong direction.

A report released today by leading modeller RepuTex confirms that pollution levels have gone up 1.3 per cent over the 2014-2015 fiscal year, the first such increase since 2005-2006.

The same report also confirms that emissions are projected to rise 6 per cent by 2020, with no peak in emissions expected before 2030.

The Turnbull Government’s Direct Action policy is not reducing. In fact, carbon pollution is increasing under Direct Action – despite Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull’s claims:  

“…the Minister for the Environment and this government are cutting emissions.”

House of Representatives

Tuesday, 15 September 2015

“The object is to reduce emissions. We are reducing emissions, and that is the environmental objective of the Conference of Parties.” 

House of Representatives

Wednesday, 16 September 2015

This is another example of Malcolm Turnbull saying one thing and doing something completely different.  He says he takes climate change seriously, but he’s signed up to Tony Abbott’s farcical Direct Action - which pays polluters not to pollute.

While similar countries are cutting their emissions, Australia risks failing to meet our international obligations and becoming a pariah on climate change. By 2020 the US is forecast to decrease emissions by 17 per cent, the EU by 18 per cent, Russia by 31 per cent, and the UK by 37 per cent.

Under the Turnbull Government, Australia is now forecast to increase our emissions by 6 per cent. 

The report also highlights the hollowness of Environment Minister Greg Hunt’s claims that “we are going to meet our targets”.

Using an accounting trick, the Turnbull Government is counting past performance to meet international commitments under the Kyoto Protocol.  As Hugh Grossman, Executive Director of RepuTex has pointed out:

“meeting Australia’s abatement task is largely a victor in accounting terms…it’s not a sign of any progress to reduce emissions.”  

The Turnbull Government can keep trying to spin the numbers, but the reality is clear: pollution is rising and Direct Action isn’t working.

It’s now time for Malcolm Turnbull to be honest about his Government’s failure on climate change. He must show some courage, confront the Nationals and extreme right-wing of his party, and adopt effective policies on climate change.