It is hoped that Australia’s decision to sign on to the second phase of the Kyoto Protocol will stimulate global climate talks in Doha this month.
The Clean Energy Council of Australia Chief Executive David Green said that signing on for the next period of the treaty was an important and symbolic move demonstrating international leadership on an issue where global agreement has been elusive.
“Although slower than most would like, progress towards a binding global treaty is being made, as can be seen from initiatives such as the next commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol,” Mr Green said.
“Signing Kyoto 2 will cement Australia’s commitment to its bipartisan target of a 5 per cent reduction in emissions below 2000 levels by 2020. This bipartisan support is important and very welcome.”
There are many economic opportunities provided by renewable energy and energy efficient technologies through job creation and investment while reducing emissions..
“This new commitment supports the efforts of the Australian clean energy industry to export its knowledge, skills and experience to other countries, and play an important role in the Asian Century,” he said.
“Australia is not acting alone. Our own 20 per cent Renewable Energy Target is in step with the majority of our trading partners, and more than half of the world’s countries have introduced targets of their own.
“Our Renewable Energy Target is currently being reviewed by the Climate Change Authority, and it is vital that this target remains largely unchanged in order to unlock billions of dollars in investment potential between now and the end of the decade.
“Signing on to Kyoto 2 and linking our carbon price with the European Union’s emissions trading scheme sends a strong message to the international community that we are open for investment.”
