Abbott dumps climate direct action; Time for ALP to move forward from “clean coal”

Climate chaos0

Abbott dumps climate direct action; Time for ALP to move forward from
‘clean coal’

Hobart, Tuesday 20 July 2010

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott today dumped three programs for direct
action on climate change, raising more questions about his commitment to
acting on the climate crisis.

However, the dumping of the Global Carbon Capture and Storage Institute
comes as confidence in the techno-fix wanes around the world.

“Tony Abbott clearly has no commitment to action on the climate crisis
if three climate programs are in his top picks for de-funding,”
Australian Greens Deputy Leader, Senator Christine Milne, said.

“Energy efficiency programs, saving money and emissions, should be a top
priority for any government or potential government. It is a false
economy to cut back on efficiency!

“The Greens want to see energy efficiency programs significantly boosted
and will be releasing initiatives through the campaign to do so.”

The Greens called on Prime Minister Gillard to move forward from coal
and the unproven technofix of carbon capture and storage. Projects and
programs around the world are being cancelled as costs escalate and the
chances of success wane.

The Greens do not believe the funding for the carbon capture and storage
institute should simply be scrapped, as Tony Abbott advocates. Instead
the $300 million, as well as hundreds of millions more for research into
CCS, should be redirected into research, development and
commercialisation programs for more promising renewable energy and
energy efficiency technologies.

“It’s way past time for the ALP and Prime Minister Gillard to move
forward from coal.

“The Gillard government cannot claim to be serious about climate change
while it is backing polluting coal to the hilt.

“The former Rudd government’s emissions trading scheme was designed to
extend the life of the coal sector, and pinning hopes on carbon capture
and storage does the same.

“The Greens want to see all government funding for carbon capture and
storage redirected to the real zero emissions solutions of renewable
energy and energy efficiency.”

Tim Hollo
Media Adviser
Senator Christine Milne | Australian Greens Deputy Leader and Climate
Change Spokesperson
Suite SG-112 Parliament House, Canberra ACT | P: 02 6277 3588 | M: 0437
587 562
http://www.christinemilne.org.au/| www.GreensMPs.org.au
<http://www.greensmps.org.au/>

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