While the reaction domestically has been decidedly mixed, the overseas response to the carbon pricing package has been, from an Australian point of view, strangely positive. “Radical”, according to The Guardian. “Australia can have fits of enlightenment”, according to the Financial Times. “In a world sorely lacking for signs that political leaders are taking the threat of global warming seriously, it is big news – especially given the fact that Australia has the largest per-capita carbon footprint in the world….” said Rolling Stone.
This is, ultimately, the most important aspect of the Government’s carbon pricing scheme — showing the rest of the world that Australia takes climate change seriously enough to warrant major economic reform. That is the most important contribution that Australia can make to the push for an international agreement that will have a serious chance of curbing emissions growth and, therefore, the level of climate change that is going to damage the Australian economy.
As so many critics like to point out, Australia only contributes a tiny fraction to the world’s emissions, even if we’re one of the worst per-capita emitters.
But that’s all the more reason why we need to convince the rest of the world of the need to take concerted action. And the Labor-Greens-independents package does that.
There will come a time when Crikey will pass on their increased costs filtering through from the Carbon Tax.When you do that Crikey will become my discretionary spending.
I remain to be convinced that a carbon tax will effectivley limit emissions. Also, different companies, same industry emit differently. Who does the calculation ? I have doubts that we can lead the world in clean energy unless we embrace Nuclear power. I see a bureaucracy growing . Another cost!
And I for one congratulate them on doing so. A big, gutsy decision, true reform, (despite what Reith (http://www.abc.net.au/unleashed/2790708.html) may say, something Keating would appreciate. Well done Labor, well done Greens, well done Windsor and Oakeshott.
“This is, ultimately, the most important aspect of the Government’s carbon pricing scheme — showing the rest of the world that Australia takes climate change seriously enough to warrant major economic reform.”
Really, truly fatuous.
States act in their own interests. Australia’s unilateral action is irrelevant.
Let us not forget that Australia is in the top 20 highest emitting countries in terms of total emissions, as well.
1.32 % of global emissions may seem like a “tiny fraction” until you put it into perspective.
The closest country to Australia in terms of total emissions is Indonesia with 1.35 %. Remembering that Australia has arond 20 million people, Indonesia more than 200 million.
Only 6 countries in the world have a share of total global emissions greater than 2 % – China, The USA, Russia, India, Japan and Germany.
All of the other 209 countries each emit less than 2 % of the global total.
Those who do not favour Australia taking action are fond of saying that we are too small to make a difference, and the biggest emitters should reduce emissions instead.
92 % of the world’s countries have emissions which are massively less than Australia’s. Should all of them be exempt from action as well?
Only global action with each country pulling it’s weight can fix this problem. It is clear from the international reaction that our stand on this issue is resonating around the world.
209 countries? I thought it was 193 with South Sudan? Your point remains of course Captain.
One should also consider Scope 1 emissions — emissions associated with manufacture of goods. Australia like most of the top 20 countries, is a serious importer of consumer, light industrial and producer goods. These emissions are accounted elsewhere, but really, they are ours too because we demand others produce them rather than produce them here.
We also produce for others of course, but if one settled emissions with the end users of goods in every case, I’ve no doubt that Australia and the first world more generally would stand a lot higher than we do on paper now and China and India a lot lower.