AUSTRALIA is one of the largest drivers of climate change globally, a new report has found.
The Australia Institute report, “High Carbon from a Land Down Under”, shows Australia is the world’s third largest exporter of coal, oil and gas, coming in just behind Russia and Saudi Arabia.
The climate impact of Australia’s fossil fuel (coal, oil, gas) exports ranks behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia exports in terms of global emissions, according to a major new report from the Australia Institute Climate & Energy Program.
The new research also finds that in absolute terms Australia is the world’s fifth largest miner of fossil fuels, ranking behind only China, USA, Russia and Saudi Arabia. On a per capita basis, Australia is on par with Saudi Arabia.
Australia makes up 7% of all fossil fuel exports by CO2 potential though out the world. Most traded fossil fuels are oil but, unusually, Australia’s fossil fuel exports are largely dominated by coal.
“Australia is a deviant on a global scale. It is a significant contributor to climate change,” said the Climate Council’s Head of Research, Dr Martin Rice.
“This report highlights that what Australia does on climate change really matters and, currently, we are not doing our fair share,” he said.
“Australia has the highest emissions per capita of any OECD country. In fact, on a per capita basis, Australia is on par with Saudi Arabia,” said the Climate Council’s CEO, Amanda McKenzie.
“The Federal Government continues to ignore the intensifying climate crisis. Australia’s greenhouse gas emissions have gone up and up and up for the past five years,” said Ms McKenzie.
“It is understandable why Pacific Island nations are angered by Australia’s lack of action on climate change. But it’s not just the Pacific that is on the frontline of climate change. It’s still winter and yet Australia is experiencing devastating bushfires in NSW as well as the ongoing drought,” said Dr Rice.
“We can’t continue to burn and export fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. We need a transition plan to position Australia to become a global renewables powerhouse and advance a new economy,” he said.
