Environment to Benefit from Direct Action on Climate Change
04-February-2010
The climate change policy announced by the Coalition today will improve the environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through direct action and practical, local measures.
The Coalition’s climate change policy does not include any new or increased taxes, and takes advantage of Australia’s natural comparable advantages: soil and sun. Our direct action plan is careful, costed and capped – reducing emissions and improving the environment without a great big new tax on everything.
This is in stark contrast to the Rudd Government’s great big tax on everything that will increase the costs of living for families, penalise businesses and destroy jobs, particularly in regional areas.
Significantly, the Coalition’s policy will achieve real benefits for the environment for a fraction of the cost of the Government’s ETS. Between 2011-12 and 2014-15, the Coalition’s policy will cost $3.2 billion. In the comparable period, the Government’s ETS will cost more than $40 billion.
The Coalition will establish a $2.5 billion Emissions Reduction Fund to provide direct incentives to industry and farmers to reduce CO2 emissions. Businesses that reduce emissions below their baseline or “business as usual” activity will be able to sell their CO2 abatement to the government. This will provide a direct financial incentive to take action to reduce emissions below baseline levels.
The Coalition will also introduce a range of measures to support the increased uptake and use of renewable energy in homes and communities. This includes a $1,000 rebate for either solar hot water systems or solar panels, capped at 100,000 rebates per year. This will be in addition to the existing rebates.
We will also support the planting of an additional 20 million trees by 2020 to re-establish urban forests and green corridors.
These are practical measures that will improve our environment and reduce greenhouse gas emissions - all without a great a great big new tax that will increase the price of everything.
For more information on the Coalition's Direct Action Plan click here.