Turnbull strips greenhouse rules
Australia to remain in Paris climate agreement
Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on Monday stripped requirements for reducing greenhouse emissions from his centerpiece energy policy in the face of political opposition, although the country remains a signatory to the Paris Agreement.
While stopping short of following the lead of US President Donald Trump and withdrawing from the global climate accord, Australia removed requirements from its National Energy Guarantee plan that would have mandated that greenhouse emissions from its power industry decrease by 26 percent from 2005 levels by 2030.
As Australia’s east coast suffers through its worst drought in 60 years, Turnbull said he would seek to legislate emission reductions in the future.
He added that his government would move legislation to reduce emissions when it had sufficient support from its own party. Despite the impasse, Turnbull said the government was committed to its Paris accord commitments.
“The legislation to move forward with the emissions component of the National Energy Guarantee will not be able to pass the House of Representatives,” Turnbull said.
He has a parliamentary majority of just one. With several rank-and-file lawmakers vowing they would not support any legislated emission reductions, such mandates are likely to remain elusive until at least a year.
The decision drew immediate scorn from critics who dismissed suggestions that a reduction could be achieved without mandated legislation.
“The announcement is a setback for global action to reduce carbon emissions,” said Will Steffen, a climate scientist at the Australian National University.
“Australia is a global lagger in meeting its emission targets,” he added. “Independent research shows emissions are creeping up over the last three years; I’m very sceptical that without immediate action, Australia can meet its commitments.”
Australia – one of the largest carbon emitters per capita because of its reliance on coalfired power plants – is among nearly 200 countries committed to the Paris Agreement.