<
https://theconversation.com/labors-scheme-to-cut-industrial-emissions-is-worryingly-flexible-197525>
"The federal government today proposed new rules to regulate greenhouse gas
emissions from Australia’s polluting industrial sector. The rule changes apply
to a measure known as the “safeguard mechanism”, and are supposed to stop
Australia’s top 215 emitters, such as new coal, oil and gas projects, from
emitting over certain thresholds, or “baselines”.
The safeguard mechanism was established by the Abbott Coalition government in
2016. It’s been widely criticised for lacking teeth – indeed, industrial
emissions have actually increased since the mechanism began.
The safeguard mechanism was reviewed last year and Labor had promised a revamp.
The fine detail of the changes is crucial, because it will determine how well
Australia brings down its emissions on the path to net zero.
So would Labor’s proposed reforms, if implemented, be effective and equitable?
Unfortunately, it appears no. They involve only very modest changes to a very
flexible regime, and many issues plaguing the safeguard mechanism under the
previous government continue."
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
