Avoiding climate disaster: what would visionary and decisive climate leadership look like in Australia?

Volume 9 Number 7 July 8 - August 11 2013

Professor John Wiseman, Deputy Director of the Melbourne Sustainable Institute, explains energy policy Australia needs to adopt in response to climate change – only slightly less dramatic than the do-nothing alternative. 

The unprecedented combination of heat waves, bushfires, storms and floods experienced by Australians during the ‘angry summer’ of 2012-2013 provided one more powerful reminder of the real and immediate consequences of the climate change emergency now hurtling towards us.

Disaster response researchers have learned that effective responses to emergencies like fires, floods and cyclones depend on recognition that swift, decisive action is necessary and urgent (the emergency is real and heading our way); possible (there is a clear course of action which will significantly reduce the danger); and desirable (the benefits of action clearly outweigh the risks and dangers of inaction).

The case for decisive climate action by Australia is clear and strong on all three counts.

Evidence of the likelihood and risks of global warming beyond four degrees continues to mount. As IMF Managing Director Christine Lagarde bluntly notes ‘unless we take action on climate change future generations will be roasted, toasted, fried and grilled.”

The technical solutions needed to reduce greenhouse gases at a speed capable of preventing catastrophic climate change are now well known. The recently launched University of Melbourne research report, Post Carbon Pathways shows the key features of the post-carbon economy road map are now widely understood. We need rapid replacement of fossil fuels by renewable energy; rapid reductions in energy consumption and improvements in energy efficiency; and the drawdown and sequestration of carbon into sustainable carbon sinks.

As momentum towards a decarbonised global economy continues to build so too do the economic and social opportunities for Australia of being a first mover in the impending transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Post Carbon Pathways report also demonstrates that the primary barriers to rapid de-carbonisation are political not technological. Courageous, visionary and decisive leadership is the key. 

So, stretching our imagination just a little, what might courageous and visionary leadership look like from an incoming Australian Prime Minister prepared to act decisively to ensure Australia plays its part in the rapid reduction of greenhouse gas emissions?

To begin, we would need a clear and unequivocal public commitment by the Prime Minister that the highest priority of the government – and the nation - is to achieve an emergency speed transition to a just and resilient post-carbon economy. The Prime Minister’s announcement would emphasise the importance of setting and achieving emissions reduction and a clear recognition of the risks involved in failing to act. 

This commitment could be legislated through an Australian Climate Solutions Act setting a 2020 target of reducing emissions by at least 50 per cent (on 2000 levels) along with the annual targets and priority actions needed to achieve the goal of zero net emissions by 2040. The Act would also establish an Australian Climate Solutions Taskforce, chaired by the Prime Minister, to ensure swift and integrated implementation of the key policy and program priorities. 

The transition to a post-carbon economy would be supported by six key action plans. 

Firstly, an Australian Renewable Energy Plan with the aim of driving the fastest possible shift to 100 per cent renewable energy. 

Secondly, an Australian Economic Electrification Plan with initial priorities including a modal shift in passenger and freight transport from road to rail; the rapid replacement of fossil fuel-based cars with electric vehicles; and the electrification of household and industry heating and cooling.

Thirdly, an Australian Energy Efficiency Plan identifying the regulatory, planning, educational and financial initiatives that could achieve the overall goal of a rapid transition to a zero waste economy. Key initiatives would target the energy efficiency of our current systems of building and planning, manufacturing, and transport – both public and private.

Fourthly, an Australian Sustainable Consumption Strategy. The first step in this strategy would be a nation-wide conversation with Australian households, communities and businesses about the necessity, possibility and desirability of reducing energy and resource consumption. Initial topics for this national conversation might include the importance and benefits of reducing airline and car-based travel; increasing consumption of locally produced food; and increasing the time available to be with family and friends and for creative and recreational interests.

Fifthly, An Australian Sustainable Agriculture and Forestry Plan designed to reduce land-based emissions and increase carbon sequestration. Key measures would include: improved land management of both pasture and cropland, actions to reduce livestock emissions and reversal of deforestation.

Finally, state and local governments, community sector and business organisations would collaborate on the implementation of a comprehensive, long-term Australian Climate Change Adaptation and Resilience Plan. 

Above all, Australia needs to provide strong advocacy for a fair and co-operative process of global de-carbonisation. While a globally binding de-carbonisation treaty remains important it is not the only way for international collaboration to achieve results.

Immediate priorities include alliances with like-minded governments and a rapid expansion in funds committed by citizens in wealthy economies to support de-carbonisation of less developed and less wealthy societies.

If this all sounds just a little too extreme and unrealisitic, I’d simply ask that you give careful thought to the far more extreme and disturbing consequences for Australia and the world of the business-as-usual alternative – a world in which global warming is heading rapidly above and beyond 4 degrees.

This article is an excerpt from the chapter on climate change from the forthcoming book on Australian policy options, Pushing Our Luck, to be published by the Centre for Policy Development in August.

 

www.sustainable.unimelb.edu.au