"The dramatic escalation of international efforts against climate change in recent months, capped by the victory of President-elect Biden in the United States, should give Australia the confidence to reset climate policy. This changing international landscape provides Australia with the renewed impetus to deliver a bipartisan, nationally agreed framework that would match our international partners, end the climate wars and give business a sound foundation to plan for the future”, Innes Willox Chief Executive of the national employer organisation Ai Group said today.
"The impacts of climate change are becoming all too tangible, and they need to be managed. Our biggest trading partners are adopting net zero emissions goals, and we will need to match them. Emissions intensive industries are charting their own course to become low-, zero- or negative-emissions, and we need a credible national policy foundation for their long term investments.
"Australian climate policy has many good elements, from world-leading integration of renewables to a far-sighted investment in clean technology innovation. But the whole is still too piecemeal to support long term investment decisions and to achieve prosperity and competitiveness in a net zero world. And we are falling behind as major economies, allies and key trade partners adopt net zero goals and signpost long-term shifts in their commodity demand. Recent commitments to net zero and deeper medium-term targets from China, Europe, Japan and Korea were already significant. The Biden Administration will accelerate this trend.
"Industry has long cautioned about the need to keep international competitiveness in mind when setting climate policy, and not to get too far from the mainstream of the major economies. That caution remains. But today it encourages us to do more and reach higher.
"There is an immediate opportunity to move this debate forward through the proposed Climate Change (National Framework for Adaptation and Mitigation) Bill. The Bill has two important features that can help Australia lift our game and which should be included in any legislation proposed to finally deliver certainty to climate policy.
"Firstly, the broad directions it proposes are sensible. Adopting a national goal of net zero emissions by 2050 would provide useful clarity across the Federal Government and the private sector and consistency between the Commonwealth and the States. Putting climate adaptation on the front-burner is vital, as the recommendations of the Bushfires Royal Commission make clear. Independent advice, formal budget cycles and performance monitoring would strengthen responsible government.
"Secondly the Bill is non-partisan. 2050 is many changes of government away, but for some industries it's just a couple of investment cycles. Broad consensus and bipartisan agreement remain must-haves. But it has been rare for initiatives from one side to find much favour with the other.
"This Bill is not the last word, but should spark a parliamentary discussion to pass legislation that will deliver the lasting compromise we need. The Government and the Parliament should take this opportunity to find agreement across party lines on reforms that can put Australia on a lasting course to net zero," Mr Willox said.
Media enquiries: Tony Melville – 0419 190 347
