❓ A WA parliamentary question probes the Minister for Environment on climate change policy, emissions reduction targets, and adaptation strategies in the context of a lacking national scheme. The Minister acknowledges the need for action but emphasizes aligning with national policy and minimizing economic impact.
AnsweredQoN 2474Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to the work of Dr Martin Parry of the Grantham Institute for Climate Change and Dr Malte Meinshausen of the Potsdam Climate Institute available at,
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/sites/robinchapple.org.au/files/Consequences
of Delayed Action on Climate Change.pdf, and the current lack of an emissions reduction target for Western Australia, and ask -
(1) Does the Minister agree with the assessment of Dr. Parry et al?
(2) If no to (2), why not?
(3) Notwithstanding the absence of a national Emissions Reduction Scheme, does the Minister believe it is appropriate for Western Australia to continue without a timely and effective package of policies to reduce emissions?
(4) If yes to (3), why?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Will the Minister consider nominating an emissions reduction target for Western Australia in the absence of a national scheme?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation recommended an emissions reduction target for Western Australia to the Minister?
(9) If yes to (8), what is the recommended target?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Does the Minister acknowledge the need for Western Australia to develop strategies to adapt to climate change as a matter of urgency?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), will the Minister indicate a timeline for development of a State climate adaptation strategy independent of the delayed Commonwealth EMS and associated policies?
http://www.robinchapple.org.au/sites/robinchapple.org.au/files/Consequences
of Delayed Action on Climate Change.pdf, and the current lack of an emissions reduction target for Western Australia, and ask -
(1) Does the Minister agree with the assessment of Dr. Parry et al?
(2) If no to (2), why not?
(3) Notwithstanding the absence of a national Emissions Reduction Scheme, does the Minister believe it is appropriate for Western Australia to continue without a timely and effective package of policies to reduce emissions?
(4) If yes to (3), why?
(5) If no to (3), why not?
(6) Will the Minister consider nominating an emissions reduction target for Western Australia in the absence of a national scheme?
(7) If no to (6), why not?
(8) Has the Department of Environment and Conservation recommended an emissions reduction target for Western Australia to the Minister?
(9) If yes to (8), what is the recommended target?
(10) If no to (8), why not?
(11) Does the Minister acknowledge the need for Western Australia to develop strategies to adapt to climate change as a matter of urgency?
(12) If no to (11), why not?
(13) If yes to (11), will the Minister indicate a timeline for development of a State climate adaptation strategy independent of the delayed Commonwealth EMS and associated policies?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
10 August 2010
Responded by
Minister for Environment
Response time
75 days
(1-2) I am aware that Dr Parry and his colleagues consider that the longer effective international action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is delayed, the greater the impact of climate change and adaptation costs. The State Government has supported the Australian Government's position seeking early and effective international action to reduce emissions.
(3-5) Western Australia must play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure that Australia as a whole contributes to global reduction. Decisions on the design, implementation and timing of policies relating to greenhouse gas emissions are matters for the Commonwealth and the Australian Parliament. However, any Western Australian policies must be cognisant of and complementary to national abatement action.
(6-7) No. There is national and cross party agreement that the primary emissions abatement targets and mechanisms will be determined at the national level. The State Government supports national action to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. However any mitigation action must be delivered at the lowest possible impact to international competitiveness, energy prices and jobs.
(8) No.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) See answer to (6-7).
(11) Yes. The State Government is committed to developing climate change policies for the future through the development of a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy.
(12) Not applicable.
(13)Delays and uncertainty around national and international policy outcomes and timing have delayed the development of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy. It is essential that State policy takes into account and complements national actions on climate change. Work is currently underway on the development of the Strategy.
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(3-5) Western Australia must play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions to ensure that Australia as a whole contributes to global reduction. Decisions on the design, implementation and timing of policies relating to greenhouse gas emissions are matters for the Commonwealth and the Australian Parliament. However, any Western Australian policies must be cognisant of and complementary to national abatement action.
(6-7) No. There is national and cross party agreement that the primary emissions abatement targets and mechanisms will be determined at the national level. The State Government supports national action to reduce Australia's greenhouse gas emissions. However any mitigation action must be delivered at the lowest possible impact to international competitiveness, energy prices and jobs.
(8) No.
(9) Not applicable.
(10) See answer to (6-7).
(11) Yes. The State Government is committed to developing climate change policies for the future through the development of a Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy.
(12) Not applicable.
(13)Delays and uncertainty around national and international policy outcomes and timing have delayed the development of the Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation Strategy. It is essential that State policy takes into account and complements national actions on climate change. Work is currently underway on the development of the Strategy.
Notice: This document is created or edited using unregistered or evaluation copy of rtLib valid for testing or development purposes only. To use it for productive or any other purposes please register it. You may purchase the license on
http://www.rtlib.com
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