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This yr’s convention noticed the primary International Stocktake (GST) of the world’s progress in the direction of assembly its Paris Settlement dedication to restrict international temperature rises to 1.5 levels. There have been excessive hopes from each the host nation and people attending that the Dubai COP can be a landmark occasion, the place robust language and a transparent timeline round fossil gasoline section out can be adopted, signalling the tip of the fossil gasoline period.
Laborious-fought battles waged over key components of the GST textual content, from fossil gasoline phase-out to phase-down, using so-called ‘abatement’ measures, and the necessity for monetary help for essentially the most climate-vulnerable nations, together with the Pacific, who fought for the GST textual content to be adopted as complete package deal, slightly than a menu of choices.
CEO of Greenpeace Australia Pacific, David Ritter, stated that whereas the ultimate textual content just isn’t what the world wants or deserves, Australia should now step-up on the worldwide stage and decide to accelerating local weather motion domestically.
“Whereas this isn’t what we hoped for, the textual content sends a transparent message that there’s an amazing momentum to finish the fossil gasoline period . Now we’d like developed nations to take the lead — to transition their economies in a approach that’s quick, truthful and locations justice at its core, and to supply monetary help to essentially the most climate-vulnerable nations.
“In his Nationwide Deal with at COP28, Minister Bowen gave us a glimmer of hope that he’s prepared to show round a decade of local weather inaction by earlier governments. Now, Australia should flip this optimistic rhetoric into actual motion and to ship the formidable program of change that Australia must transition our vitality programs and maintain 1.5 levels alive.
“We urge Minister Bowen to take each motion attainable at residence to align our home emissions pathways to 1.5 levels — meaning no new coal and fuel, and an finish to fossil gasoline subsidies. These are actions that the Albanese authorities can take proper now and that can ship a robust sign to our Pacific neighbours that we’re standing with you, that we are going to struggle for you.”
Talking from Dubai, Head of Pacific at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Shiva Gounden, stated that whereas there’s restricted progress within the ultimate textual content, it doesn’t go wherever far sufficient to deal with the local weather destruction being confronted by communities throughout the globe.
“We’re deeply dissatisfied by the ultimate textual content which, though recognises the science and the urgency of 1.5 levels, ignores what the science is screaming at us to do and gives false options, slightly than actual actions. 1.5 levels is not only an ambition — it’s a lifeline for Pacific communities dealing with an existential risk to their survival.
“As at all times, the resilient and highly effective individuals of the Pacific will maintain combating. We’ve had some hard-fought wins, such because the operationalisation of the Loss and Injury Fund on Day 1 which noticed many countries step-up to start out filling it. It’s unlucky that Australia selected to not decide to this important fund and to acknowledge its position as a serious contributor to the local weather disaster globally.
“If Minister Bowen is critical in his dedication to our Pacific household, he should transcend piecemeal bulletins and deal with the elephant within the room — the enlargement of the fossil gasoline business in Australia. By exporting fossil fuels, we’re exporting local weather destruction. I implore the Minister to speed up local weather motion domestically and to make sure our emissions reductions targets are in step with a 1.5 diploma future — the Pacific’s survival will depend on it.”
Head of Local weather and Vitality at Greenpeace Australia Pacific, Jess Panegyres, stated that whereas having the phrases ‘transitioning away from fossil fuels’ within the ultimate textual content is a crucial sign, it’s removed from the historic consequence that the world hoped for.
“The world has agreed on what’s wanted – “transitioning away from fossil fuels” – however there isn’t a motion plan to do that but. We are going to maintain combating for the motion wanted to maintain 1.5 alive. To fulfill this COP28 dedication we should cease approving new coal and fuel tasks, cease subsidising fossil fuels and begin paying into the Loss and Injury Fund.
“It was encouraging to listen to Minister Bowen converse so strongly and passionately at his nationwide deal with in Dubai about the necessity to section out fossil fuels and take our dedication to 1.5 levels critically. Now, this should translate into actual motion at residence. And step one just isn’t opening up new mega fossil gasoline tasks like Woodside’s Burrup Hub.”
“Lately launched knowledge compiled by Greenpeace estimated that if all of the coal and fuel tasks presently present process federal approvals went forward, they’d launch a 20 billion tonne carbon bomb throughout their lifetimes — that’s equal to 14 occasions our home emissions. Increasing fossil fuels just isn’t appropriate with limiting warming to 1.5 levels.
“Australia is completely positioned to turn out to be a renewable vitality superpower and reap the advantages of a clear, inexperienced financial future. Now it’s time to roll up our sleeves and get on with the work of transitioning away from fossil fuels.”
—ENDS—
For extra data or to rearrange an interview please contact:
Kate O’Callaghan on +61 406 231 892 or [email protected]
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