Climate Action Hobart

Key Actions & Upcoming Events

Changes to the Tasmanian Climate Change Act

The Tasmanian Government has announced it will legislate a target of net zero emissions from 2030 and released the draft Bill to revise the Climate Change Act for public comment on 13 Oct. 2021. Submissions on the draft Bill closed on Sunday 14 November 2021. For more information go to the DPAC website

Federal Climate Change Bill

Zali Steggall MP has tabled a revised Climate Change Bill in federal parliament. It introduces a new, short-term emissions reduction target of 60% by 2030 vs 2005 levels.To find more about this Bill and to sign up as a supporter go to :

https://climateactnow.com.au.

#climateactnow

COP 26 - Key Messages from the Climate Action Network

An edited summary of the key messages arising from the COP26 outcomes produced by the Australian Climate Action Network.

1. This COP provided valuable progress including identifying the next steps to increase ambition and support for vulnerable communities. The gap between science and action is still there. The planet is tracking for 1.8–2.6˚C degrees of warming which would mean much worse climate impacts than the bushfires, droughts & storms we’re already facing. Addressing this and keeping warming to 1.5 ˚C hangs by a fine and fragile green thread.

2. The progress made ahead of and during COP26 to phase out coal and reduce climate pollution this decade shows that world leaders are stepping up to the climate challenge. But we’re not done in the fight against the climate crisis! Action needs to accelerate in line with the urgency and scale of the climate crisis.

3. COP26 agreed that global carbon dioxide emissions must reduce by 45 per cent by 2030, A deadline was set for countries like Australia who did not increase their targets to do so ahead of a high level summit in November 2022 - which means that Australia must go further faster. The world, and the Australian community, expects the Morrison Government to step up and at least match the ambition of our allies, the US, the UK, Japan, the EU and others.

4. The world promised to do more to help the communities and countries on the front line of climate impacts, facing more devastating storms, increasingly severe droughts and rising sea levels. We must keep that promise. The Australian government must provide funds to support the countries facing extreme climate impacts, including our Pacific neighbours.

5. This COP the world moved to take stronger action on climate change, and Australia is being left behind, with dire consequences for our climate, economy and jobs.

In relation to Australia

1. The world is standing up on climate action, while Australia walks backward. 140 countries including China and India lifted their ambition. Australia was among the only developed nations NOT to bring an increased 2030 target; the pressure is on to do so before next year’s COP.

2. The last rights were given to coal and the government has left Australia ill-prepared for the global zero emissions transformation that’s well underway. The largest public funders of overseas coal plants, namely China, Korea and Japan agreed to end public funding next year. A growing number of the world’s banks agreed to stop funding new coal plants.

3. Everyday Australians and business will pay a high price for us being out of step with the rest of the world. Industries like manufacturing and agriculture are likely to be hit by trade sanctions because the federal government is prioritising fossil fuels over climate action and all other industries. If Australia doesn’t step up exporters could be hit by tariffs and lose out on premium markets.

4. Customers and financers are abandoning coal because they know it will collapse over the next decade. Instead of helping coal communities diversify, the Australian Government is doubling down on a losing bet by expanding coal and gas.

5. Australia is becoming globally isolated and is one of a handful of countries like Brazil, Russia and Saudi Arabia that are seen as part of the problem, not the solution.

6. Australia’s net zero target is incompatible with any new coal or gas. All new fossil fuel expansion must stop, and we need to phase out their use as quickly as possible.

7. The pressure on the Morrison government to step up, not cop out, remains. (Countries told to bring updated 2030 targets before the next COP, in line with 45% global cuts by 2030, and front end net zero plans).

8. The Morrison government is sitting back and freeriding on the efforts of state and local governments, businesses and households that are getting on with the job by ramping up renewable energy and investing in low carbon technologies. There is no substitute for federal policies and action. The Australian government is risking trillions of investment dollars that will secure the jobs of the future.

9. There was a substantial First Nations presence: Dr Virginia Marshall and Pastor Ray Minniecon, of the Indigenous Peoples Organisation - Australia were both at COP26, and made a number of stirring speeches and representations. They were appalled at treatment by the Australian Government in the Australian Pavilion, and at the ability of Indigenous Peoples to influence and impact the talks. You can see them speaking at an event on shifting Australia from a laggard to a leader here. Tishiko King, Seed Campaigns Director was also in Glasgow, you can see an opinion piece from her here.

What role can/should Australians be playing now?

CANA members succeeded in pressuring Australia’s position and holding them to account - setting foundations to strengthen Australian political parties positions on climate between COP and the federal election.

People should feel even more empowered to push the Australian government to take more action on climate change. The rest of the world is moving ahead without us. We will build on the existing actions to bring Australia’s response in line with what science and justice demand.

Read comments from the Australian Climate Change Community at COP26 Here