8 November
2006 - A report this week by the International
Energy Agency which indicates China will become
the largest producer of greenhouse gas in the
next few years demonstrates exactly why the world
needs a New Kyoto, the Minister for the Environment
and Heritage, Senator Ian Campbell said today.
The World Energy Outlook 2006
indicates that unregulated emissions from China,
India and other developing nations will account
for most of the increase in greenhouse gas being
pumped into the atmosphere over the coming decades.
China alone will be responsible
for 39% of the rise in global emissions and will
overtake the United States as the world's biggest
emitter before 2010, with emissions more than
doubling between 2004 and 2030.
“This is exactly why the world
needs a New Kyoto,” Senator Campbell said.
“Under the old Kyoto Protocol
fast-growing developing nations such as China
and India do not have to do a single thing to
reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. They can
emit as much greenhouse gas as they like. In fact
under the old Kyoto global greenhouse gas emissions
will increase by 40%.
Senator Campbell said the report’s
emphasis on the need for international cooperation
is what the New Kyoto is about.
“We clearly need a New Kyoto which has all countries
pulling their weight to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions.
“As we have consistently said,
climate change is a problem shared by the whole
world.
“The old Kyoto hasn’t been successful
so what we need is something that is environmentally
effective, economically efficient, includes all
the major emitters, and does not impose an unfair
burden on any country.
Senator Campbell said the report
highlighted the world’s reliance on fossil fuels
for energy over the coming decades.
“The world, particularly the
developing world where power is needed to pull
people out of severe poverty and illness, is going
to need fossil fuels for energy. Australia is
uniquely placed to capitalise on this through
its large reserves of coal and uranium.
“Investment in technologies
to clean up coal are therefore a key part of the
solution and is why Australia is spending millions
of dollars to do this.
The report supported the Australian
Government’s push for a multi-track approach through
a suite of measures including:
renewable energy such as solar
and wind;
energy efficiency measures;
technologies to clean up our coal-fired power
stations;
more efficient vehicles;
using alternative fuels;
ending deforestation; and
increasing the world’s nuclear capacity.
The report specifically acknowledged the contribution
that nuclear power could make to reducing greenhouse
gas emissions globally.
Rob Broadfield (Senator Campbell’s office)
