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Climate deal loopholes ‘Make farce’ of rich nations’ pledges

admin /4 August, 2010

Climate deal loopholes ‘make farce’ of rich nations’ pledges

New research reveals carbon emissions from rich nations could actually rise under loopholes in the proposed UN climate deal

 

A hut in Riau, Indonesia, where palm oil plantations are a major cause of deforestation. A hut in Riau, Indonesia. A loophole exists in the land use, land use change and forestry rules that could mean more emissions. Photograph: Ahmad Zamroni/Getty Images

Rich countries have been put on the back foot after new research showed that current pledges to cut greenhouse gas emissions could be wiped out by gaping loopholes in the UN climate change treaty put forward in Copenhagen last year.

Developing countries have argued strongly for minimum 40% emission cuts from industrialised nations by 2020. But new analysis from the Stockholm Environment Institute and Third World Network (TWN), released at the latest UN climate talks in Bonn, showed that current pledges amounted to only 12-18% reductions below 1990 levels without loopholes. When all loopholes were taken into account, emissions could be allowed to rise by 9%.

Abbott to mobilise older workers

admin /4 August, 2010

Abbott to mobilise older workers

Updated 3 hours 42 minutes ago

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott leaves a press conference

Pitch to older workers: Opposition Leader Tony Abbott. (AAP: Paul Miller, file photo

The Federal Coalition will today announce measures to encourage businesses to hire more older workers who have been having trouble getting a job.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says a Coalition government would make a payment of $250 a fortnight to each business which takes on a worker aged over 50.

The worker would have to be registered with Centrelink, and the money – a total of $3,250 – would be paid in a lump sum after the employee completed six months in the job.

The scheme would start in the middle of next year and be reviewed after three years.

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says the policy aims to increase productivity.

“If we are going to be a more productive society and therefore a more prosperous economy we’ve got to make more better use of willing workers,” he told 2GB Radio.

“I think it will be welcomed by employers, I think it will be welcomed by older people.”

The announcement will be made as both sides of politics focus their campaign tussle on issues of economic management.

Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan has told Fairfax radio the Government already has measures to encourage older people to stay in the workforce.

Gillard to fast-track baby bonus

admin /4 August, 2010

Gillard to fast-track baby bonus

Updated 39 minutes ago

Julia Gillard

On the fast track: Julia Gillard (ABC News: George Roberts)

Prime Minister Julia Gillard promised to give families with young children earlier access to benefit payments, as both sides of politics kept the election campaign focus on economic issues this morning.

Ms Gillard says families will be allowed to bring forward $500 of their baby bonus to help pay for unexpected expenses.

Families will also be able to bring forward 7.5 per cent of their family benefits, a move which Ms Gillard said would equate to $625 for an average family with two children.

Polls show Labor is struggling- but read them with care.

admin /3 August, 2010

Polls show Labor is struggling – but read them with care

MICHELLE GRATTAN

August 3, 2010

A SIGNIFICANT swing is on against the Gillard government, according to all the major polls published since last Thursday. At issue is how strong that swing is.

An average of the Nielsen, Morgan, Newspoll and Galaxy polls shows the Coalition and Labor statistically tied – 50.1 per cent (Coalition) to 49.9 per cent (Labor).

Obama must take a lead on climate change and soon

admin /2 August, 2010

Obama must take a lead on climate change – and soon

The US leader must lay out a comprehensive and costed plan to the American people showing how he will move beyond oil

• Global warming pushes 2010 temperatures to record highs

 

An iceberg melts in Greeland in 2007. Climate change. Environment. Global warming. Photograph: John McConnico/AP An iceberg melts in Greeland in 2007. Photograph: John McConnico/AP

All signs suggest that the planet is still hurtling headlong toward climatic disaster. The US National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration has issued its “State of the Climate Report” covering January-May. The first five months of this year were the warmest since records began in 1880. May was the warmest month ever. Intense heat waves are currently hitting many parts of the world, yet still we fail to act.

 

There are several reasons for this, and we should understand them in order to break today’s deadlock. First, the economic challenge of controlling human-induced climate change is truly complex. Anthropogenic climate change is caused by two principal sources of emissions of mainly carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide: fossil-fuel use for energy and agriculture (including deforestation to create new farmland and pastureland).

Gillard questioned on citizens’ assembly leak

admin /2 August, 2010

Gillard questioned on citizens’ assembly leak

By online political correspondent Emma Rodgers

Posted 10 minutes ago

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has sidestepped questions over whether she failed to put a key election announcement to Cabinet.

In the latest in a series of leaks against the Prime Minister, the Australian Financial Review is today reporting that Ms Gillard did not consult Cabinet before announcing that Labor would form a so-called citizens’ assembly to consult on climate change.

Ms Gillard made the announcement in Brisbane in the first week of the campaign and it was roundly criticised by both sides of politics and environmental groups.

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