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A U S T R A L I A N    E M B A S S Y   A N K A R A
MEDIA RELEASE

5 JUNE 2009 - WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY

AUSTRALIA’S ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE

The Australian Government is implementing a comprehensive strategy to ensure Australia plays its full and fair part in global efforts to tackle climate change.

Australia announced on 4 May 2009 that it would reduce emissions by 25 per cent below 2000 levels by 2020. Australia's economy and environment are likely to be disproportionately affected by climate change. Australia generates only 1.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, so its actions alone cannot avert the worst consequences of climate change: the only solution to climate change is a global one.

"The stakes are high for Australia. Our future prosperity and the future of our unique environment depend on securing an international agreement," Australian Minister for Climate Change, Senator Penny Wong said.

Australian has put forward a proposal to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change talks in Copenhagen in December 2009 on how emissions reductions from the forest sector in developing countries could be included in a future international climate change agreement.

"Deforestation accounts for around 18 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions. Instead of an economic imperative to remove forests in developing countries, we need an incentive to preserve them," said Senator Wong.

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) will also play an important role in the global fight against climate change and Australia is investing AUD2 billion in industrial-scale CCS projects. Australia’s Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute (GCCSI) will drive the dissemination of CCS technology and know-how around the world. Sharing the knowledge generated by the Institute's activities will be critical to enable broad deployment of carbon capture and storage by 2020.

For media contact: Elif Barutcuoğlu-Wade, Public Diplomacy Manager
Phone: 0312-459 9504
Mobile: 0532-216 6256
e-mail: elif.barutcuoglu-wade@dfat.gov.au