Setting meaningful targets for reducing emissions

Submitted by Kirsty Lawson on Wed, 27/10/2010 - 10:32

"I am heartened by news from nations around the globe of new, higher emissions targets. This begins to restore hope that we can save more ecosystems and species from habitat loss due to climate change,” said Greens MLC Lynn MacLaren.

Senator Christine Milne has released information to inform the debate in Australia about lifting our target above 5%.

"The EU and UK are publicly discussing lifting their emissions targets because they see the economic benefits of doing so. The UK's legislated target of 34% cuts below 1990 levels by 2020 already eclipses anything the Gillard government has on the table," said Senator Milne.

"Scotland has found that it will easily meet its ambitious target of meeting 50% of its electricity needs with renewable sources by 2020 and is now lifting that target to an impressive 80% by the end of this decade.

"China, Japan, South Korea and various states in the USA are all lifting their sights to more ambitious action as they reap the benefits of jobs, clean air and water and more from beginning investing in the economic transformation towards a low carbon future," added Senator Milne.