<
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/commentisfree/article/2024/jun/11/peter-duttons-plans-will-breach-the-paris-agreement-on-climate-that-much-is-clear>
"Peter Dutton plans to breach the text and spirit of the landmark Paris climate
agreement, backed in 2015 by a Coalition government along with the leaders of
more than 190 other countries.
This should be clear to anyone who clicks on this link and reads the deal
reached in the French capital.
Dutton did not say in an interview with
News Corp published on Saturday that
he would formally pull out of the agreement if the Coalition won the next
election. But he did confirm a position that would put Australia at odds with
what it sets out to do.
Since this was pointed out by people with decades of experience at highly
technical climate negotiations, the Coalition has responded with a mix of
half-truths and falsehoods.
Both Dutton and Ted O’Brien, the opposition climate change and energy
spokesperson, say a Coalition government would be committed to the agreement
but reject the national 2030 emissions target – that is, a minimum 43% cut
below what emissions were in 2005.
A bit on the target: Labor took it to the 2022 election after asking the
consultants RepuTex to calculate what its policies would deliver. It was
legislated with the support of the Greens and independent MPs after they made
an evidence-based argument that Australia should be doing more. It was also
submitted to the UN as a pledge.
Here’s what the Paris agreement says about these pledges, known in UN lingo as
“nationally determined contributions”: that countries will build on them over
time. Article 4.3 of the agreement says each commitment a country makes will be
a progression – an improvement – and “reflect its highest possible ambition”.
Article 4.11 says a country can adjust its commitment “with a view to enhancing
its level of ambition”.
It means countries can increase commitments at any time they like, but there
should not be backsliding."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
