Hon Robin Chapple asks the Minister for Environment whether they agree with the IPCC's 4th Assessment Report findings on climate change. The Minister's response outlines the government's actions to control emissions and adapt to climate change, without directly agreeing or disagreeing with the IPCC statements.

AnsweredQoN 1131Legislative Council
Asked
1 December 2011
Portfolio
Environment

QuestionView source ↗

INTERGOVERNMENTAL PANEL ON CLIMATE CHANGE — FOURTH ASSESSMENT REPORT
I refer to the statements in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s fourth assessment report in 2007 that warming of the climate system is unequivocal, as is now evident from observations of increases in global average air and ocean temperatures, widespread melting of snow and ice and rising global average sea level; most of the observed increase in global average temperatures since the mid-twentieth century is very likely due to the observed increase in anthropogenic greenhouse gas concentrations; and many impacts can be reduced, delayed or avoided by mitigation, and delayed emission reductions significantly constrain the opportunities to achieve lower stabilisation levels and increase the risk of more severe climate change impacts. (1) Does the minister agree with the above statements? (2) If not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON

AnswerView source ↗

The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.
(1) Does the minister agree with the above statements? (2) If not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.
(2) If not, why not? Hon HELEN MORTON replied: The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.
Hon HELEN MORTON replied: The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.
The Minister for Environment has provided the following response — (1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.
(1)-(2) The government supports prudent but sensible actions to control greenhouse gas emissions, adapt to the potential effects of climate change and move towards a less carbon-intensive economy. The government has promoted the use of liquefied natural gas to play a greater part as a clean fuel by approving or advancing the development of several key LNG projects in the north west and Kimberley. The Indian Ocean Climate Initiative, which commenced in 1998 with the support of the then coalition government, is a research partnership between the Western Australian government, CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology. It continues to provide high-quality scientific knowledge to support government, industry and community decision making to facilitate adaptation to climate variability and change.

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