Media Releases

"Word leaders have emerged with a disappointing* and fragile agreement for collective climate action but those who back delay should take no inspiration," said John Connor, CEO, The Climate Institute.

"It is economically and environmentally reckless to ignore the low carbon and efficient economic drivers our competitors and trading partners around the world are building for energy security and cost effectiveness, as much as climate reasons.

"We should not forget that last year, before Copenhagen, global clean energy investments outstripped fossil fuel investment for the first time.

"The US, China and many other nations emphatically reinforced they would be continuing to drive such investments and dramatically improve the carbon productivity of their economies."

"Governments failed in Copenhagen to turbo boost those significant domestic initiatives into sufficient international action, but it would be economically and environmentally irresponsible to hold back on economy wide reforms on energy efficiency, clean energy and emissions trading,

"The outcome is a fragile platform for collective action which requires added urgency and focus for those Australian politicians and businesses serious about taking effective action on climate change.

"A serious and prudent response to the competitiveness and climate challenges requires backing Australian commitments to at least 25 per cent reductions by 2020, as well as getting on with energy efficiency, clean energy and emission trading policy improvements.

"The final hours of Copenhagen Summit were mired in disarray and disappointment, but the global clean energy race is accelerating with China, the US and others continuing full throttle towards competitive industries, jobs and investments - Australia cannot afford to be left behind."

"Despite the disappointments at the UN level, Australia needs to press ahead with strong policies to drive low carbon and clean energy investments to take advantage of opportunities but also to prepare for the urgent climate action that is inevitable," said Mr Connor.

* The Climate Institute rated the accord one star out of five on the issues needed to be settled for a strong foundation for a robust and legally binding treaty to deliver ambitious global action on climate change.

"The Copenhagen Accord has hit a major roadblock but it is no excuse for inaction at home," said John Connor, CEO of The Climate Institute.

"The Copenhagen Summit is mired in disarray and disappointment, but the global clean energy race is accelerating with China and the US continuing full throttle towards competitive industries, jobs and investments - Australia cannot afford to be left behind.

"The US and China said loudly and clearly that, regardless of the UN outcome, they will continue unconditional action to reduce emissions, develop clean energy industries because it is in their national interests such as energy and resource security.

"Despite inaction at the UN level, Australia needs to press ahead with strong policies to drive low carbon and clean energy investments to take advantage of those opportunities but also to prepare for the urgent climate action that is inevitable."

The Copenhagen Accord still being debated is a ‘flimsy foundation' and does not set a path for a legally binding global climate treaty and The Climate Institute supports calls for the UN talks to be suspended and reconvened as early as possible next year.

"There is now a mountain to climb to get from the Copenhagen Accord to an effective, legally binding treaty next year and we are not even at base camp," Mr Connor said.

"Countries were not prepared to put even provisional pollution reduction targets on the table and it's impossible to assess whether the Copenhagen Accord would even form the foundation for a treaty that will avoid a 2oC increase on global temperature.

"Current emission targets would lock in dangerous climate change and the outcome is a collective failure of the world's largest polluters to deliver a fair, ambitious and binding agreement."

"Commitments on international financing were welcome but without robust mechanisms to ensure financial pledges are actually delivered, the Accord risks entrenching distrust between countries," Mr Connor said.

The Climate Institute's assessment of the Accord, according to its Copenhagen Checklist, rates the outcome of the meeting only 1 star out of a possible five.

As Prime Minister Kevin Rudd arrives in Copenhagen the leaders of the Southern Cross Climate Coalition (SCCC), comprising union, welfare, environment and research groups, has urged him to take decisive action to help haul the negotiations back on track.

“The Prime Minister is a key player in climate discussions among world leaders and Australia has been playing a significant role in the Copenhagen negotiations, but it is now time for decisive steps,” said Don Henry, Executive Director of the Australian Conservation Foundation.

“The talks are now in danger because of serious differences about whether the Kyoto Protocol should continue or not. This deadlock can be broken by supporting a new commitment period for the Kyoto Protocol alongside a comprehensive global treaty,” said the Climate Institute’s John Connor.

“Australia can give an urgent boost to these negotiations by the Prime Minister putting forward solutions on three key issues that are undermining progress here in Copenhagen.”

1. To bring developed and developing countries together Australia should accept an extension to the Kyoto Protocol with our target set at 25 percent reductions on 1990 levels by 2020.

2. To complement Kyoto and to ensure the job gets done, Australia should support a six month deadline to finalise a legally binding global treaty that includes fair commitments from the USA, China and other major polluters.

3. Australia should support a carbon price on emissions from international shipping and aviation to contribute to funds in the order of $160 billion per year by 2020 to help poor countries deal with climate change.

“Developed and developing countries need to do more at these negotiations. Prime Minister Rudd has played and can continue to play a key role to build the ambition of greenhouse reduction targets and momentum for a serious outcome from Copenhagen,” said ACTU President Sharan Burrow.