Reducing Emissions Will Benefit the Economy Too
27 August 2013
Greens Senator for Western Australia Scott Ludlam and Greens WA spokesperson on Climate Change and Energy, Robin Chapple MLC, today welcomed new reports pointing to beneficial effects of reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Senator Ludlam said “With so much misleading rhetoric from Tony Abbott about the impact of carbon pricing over the past few years, it’s good to see yet more confirmation that reducing carbon emissions benefits the economy as well as the environment.
“The Commonwealth has enacted good solid policy, with the support of the Greens and some forward thinking Independents, and not only did the sky not fall in, it got a little brighter as a result.
“The Garnaut report showed clearly that the costs of not curbing our emissions will be a very serious drag on the economy, due to the worldwide economic instability which climate change will cause, if emissions are left unchecked.
“New research which will be published in the 5th IPCC Assessment Report shows that the more investment that is put into reducing emissions now – the better is the economic performance for the rest of the 21st Century”, said Senator Ludlam.
Mr Chapple continued, “The pricing of carbon has clearly led to a switch to renewables, coupled with reduced energy demand, contributing to the start of a downward trend in emissions.
“Only the Greens stand fully in support of the clearly-expressed demands of West Australians for more emphasis on renewable sources for energy production. Our Energy 2029 plan stands in stark contrast to the business-as-usual approach of the other parties.
Energy 2029 plan: http://www.greenswa.net.au/energy2029
“All I can say is so much for Mr Abbott’s ‘big fat tax’, the ruin of a nation. Looks like we’ll get that clean, green future for our children despite his single message troll campaign. Mr Abbott might have to find a new tune to sing, and it wouldn’t do Mr Barnett any harm to jump into a more positive, proactive harmony either”, concluded Mr Chapple.
