|
|
CEO News Archive Media Speeches |
Media releaseStrong climate action vital for a vibrant economy5 March 2009EBA, Sydney, 5 March 2009. Build new markets, new industries, new jobs - that's the way to tackle climate change. And now is the time to invest in creating hundreds of thousands of high quality 'carbon-light' jobs says Environment Business Australia. Imagine Australia being a regional 'hub' for minerals processing and manufacturing and having 100% of electricity from renewable energy by 2030. We can do that with 'mega clean energy parks' run on solar thermal, geothermal, marine and wind energy. Do not delay the start of the CPRS is the second message - but it comes with; a very strong recommendation not to lock in low and inefficient targets until 2020, or to put a price cap on permits. Climate scientists are telling us we are already in the danger zone. What we do in the next 2 to 3 years is critical to our future. The calls to stall climate action are protectionist and dangerous. We need to decarbonise our economies and we need to pull 'legacy' carbon out of the atmosphere. "Is it complex and difficult? Yes - but let's make the stark comparison between meaningful action now versus the complexity and cost of breakdown of environmental 'services'. One of the first things to go would be food production. There is no technology, and no amount of money that will reverse extreme climate change. Our chance is to act now and to seize new commercial opportunities en route." Said EBA's CEO Fiona Wain. The third part of the strategy recommended by EBA is to 'bolt on' additional measures to the CPRS - for example, a strong national energy efficiency target; an extension to the term of the committed Renewable Energy Target of 20% by 2020; and fast-tracking soil-sequestration and biosequestration of carbon to replenish agricultural soils. EBA also wants to see carbon performance standards for appliances and cars combined with a national trade-in scheme so that householders can upgrade to 'cost and carbon savings'. EBA is concerned that the low target in the CPRS of 5-15% means there will be no flexibility for Australia to dig deeper in the critical years between now and 2020. The brand competitiveness of Australian goods and services will suffer, but more importantly on a technological level we won't have advanced quickly enough to help developing countries. EBA also says that the low targets, fixed term and capped price outlined in the CPRS mean that investors will be asked to take on the risks of technology and infrastructure development without being offered the chance to create 'commercial upside'. In its submission paper to the Government (released today) EBA also called for a new governance structure for financial markets to make sure that short-termism and the collateral damage of pollution, waste and greenhouse gas emissions are priced out. "It's time to stop free-riders dominating the market, we need some real sanity and creativity to deliver policy, investment and technologies that are up to the task of our future. The market needs to understand the economic and security value of a robust environment. We need to take companies, workers and communities through a structural transition and the market is not capable of that without a strong enabling framework of far-reaching policies. EBA says that risk management approach of standards and performance regulations need to play a more important role in bringing innovation to market. Cars, buildings, bridges, and heavy machinery are safer because of regulation. The German auto industry, which is heavily regulated, is far more competitive than the US car industry which is significantly less regulated and now seeking massive bailouts. The same risk management approach needs to apply to reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Letter to the Prime Minister EBA submission: Building new markets, new industries, new jobs Previous policy papers on targets, technology wedges, externalities, green cities can be seen under policy work. |
|
|
|
|
Sustainable Business Australia supports innovative industries and new jobs for green economies |
|