We must do more: climate change body in controversial split
Climate scientist David Karoly (R) says the report doesn't go far enough. Photo: AAP
The Government’s main climate change advisory body has split, with two board members calling for tougher action to reduce emissions.
Last week, the Climate Change Authority published a report calling for the Government to introduce an emissions-trading scheme.
But two of the authority’s board members, climate scientist David Karoly and economist Clive Hamilton, have since issued a dissenting minority report calling for stronger measures to reduce emissions.
Professor Karoly said the recommendations in the majority report were inadequate.
“The target that is being used is the current Government targets, which are only 26 to 28 per cent emission reductions by 2030, but in fact that means that Australia would not be contributing its fair share to global action,” he said.
“Australia is the highest per capita emitter of greenhouse gases of all countries in the world.
“Therefore Australia should be doing more, because it is contributing more to climate change growth, to global warming around the world.”
Energy Minister Josh Frydenberg brushed off the dissenting report, saying the vast majority of board members had signed on.
He said the Government was taking an ambitious approach to cut emissions.