PW 30/08 -
11 March 2007 - Australia’s ratification
of the Kyoto Protocol came into force today,
officially making Australia a full party
to the Kyoto Protocol.
“From today, Australia
is officially part of the global solution
on climate change,” Minister for Climate
Change and Water, Senator Penny Wong, said.
Prime Minister Kevin
Rudd signed Australia’s instrument of ratification
in December as the first act of the new
Government. However, under Kyoto rules,
it takes 90 days before the ratification
‘comes into force’.
“After so many years
of neglect under the previous Government,
we are sending a clear signal to the world
that Australia is taking responsibility
on climate change,” Senator Wong said.
Also today, the Government
released Australia’s Initial Report under
the Kyoto Protocol, 365 days earlier than
the United Nations’ deadline requires. The
report demonstrates how Australia is able
to measure the reductions in emissions that
are required under Kyoto.
“The Australian Government
is moving quickly to meet its Kyoto Protocol
obligations. Countries have 12 months to
submit this report – we are releasing it
on day one.”
This new report follows
the Rudd Government’s first report card
on climate change, Tracking to the Kyoto
Target, showing that we are now on track
to meet our Kyoto target. Under Kyoto, Australia
is obliged to limit its greenhouse gas emissions
in 2008-2012 to 108 percent of its emissions
in 11000.
“The Rudd Government
has put Australia on track to meet its Kyoto
target. Under the previous Government’s
policies, Australia was going to miss the
Kyoto target.”
Senator Wong said the
Kyoto Protocol was just the first step and
that much more needed to be done.
“That’s why we have
a comprehensive plan for responding to climate
change based on three pillars – helping
to shape an international solution, reducing
Australia’s emissions, and adapting to the
climate change we cannot avoid.
“To help Australia reduce
its emissions and make the switch to a low-emissions
future we have announced that 20 per cent
of Australia’s electricity will come from
renewable sources by 2020.
“We will also implement
emissions trading, which will place a limit
– or a 'cap’ – on the emissions we will
allow to be produced. Emissions trading
will make us responsible for the greenhouse
gases we put into the atmosphere.”
Senator Wong said climate
change also presents many opportunities
for business.
“The World Bank estimates
that opportunities created through the Kyoto
Protocol were already worth more than US$5
billion in 2006. Australian businesses will
have access to that market.”
While Australia’s ratification
of Kyoto only comes into effect today, the
Australian Government is already engaged
in international negotiations for a post-2012
agreement.
“The Australian Government
recognises that the Kyoto Protocol itself
was a first step for the international community.
We are continuing to engage in key international
climate change forums and are working with
other countries to build on our achievements
in Bali.
“The Australian Government
will seek to strengthen its cooperation
with other countries on climate change as
we continue to pursue a future international
agreement that is both equitable and effective.”
Australia’s Initial
Report under the Kyoto Protocol:
www.climatechange.gov.au/inventory/publications/unfccc-report.html
Tracking to the Kyoto Target
www.climatechange.gov.au/projections/index.html
United Nations Framework Convention on Climate
Change
www.unfccc.int
John Olenich
