Independent moves to find alternatives to Kyoto

“For example, six companies - IBM, DuPont, BT (British Telecom), Alcan, NorskeCanada and Bayer - have each reduced emissions by at least 60 per cent since the early 1990s, collectively saving more than $4 billion in the process. Numerous other smart companies, such as Alcoa, 3M, Kodak, United Technologies, Lafarge, Shell and BP, have also far exceeded the smaller reductions envisaged under Kyoto and have saved large sums by using energy more efficiently.”

The latest report of the International Climate Change Taskforce (January 25, 2005) reaffirmed that urgent global action was needed, and that if left unmitigated, climate change impacts were expected to be devastating.

Among its recommendations were that the G8+ Climate Group agree to shift their agricultural subsidies from food crops to bio-fuels, while safeguarding sustainable farming methods and biodiversity. Other recommendations concerned further encouragement of renewable energy technologies and the phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies.

It also recommended that G8 governments establish national renewable portfolio standards to generate at least 25 per cent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2025, with higher targets needed for some G8 governments, and that all industrial countries, like Australia, introduce national mandatory cap-and-trade systems for carbon emissions to encourage industry to reduce greenhouse pollution.

In response, Federal Environment Minister, Senator Ian Campbell, said Australia was already working on reducing greenhouse gases but the report's call for a 25 per cent move to renewable sources of energy within 20 years was technologically and economically undeliverable. The Australian Conservation Foundation believes it is possible.

It is difficult for the public to identify what is a political statement and what is a scientific one. Truth eventually comes out, but if the scientists are right, we do not have the luxury of time. At present in Australia, big and small business, local government, the people who work the land and now, the state governments, have shown they are listening and prepared to act. They recognise that improvement and increased efficiency also spell bigger profits. Basically, the heart of the country is willing. What is still needed is strong national leadership.